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As of two days ago I knew nothing about salamanders. I was given one that after doing as much reading as possible both online and in books, that I believe to be a tiger salamander going through its metamorphosis. Its gills are relatively short and have none of the feathery stuff extending from them. Its fin is also not very apperant on its back any longer but just on the tail. He hasn't eaten pellets and I tried putting an earth worm in the water with it but the earthworm just got away and i had to fish it out. I assumed it was just stress due to the fact that it was kept in a very small 'critter keeper' with just an inch or so of water for the first night I had it until I was able to go buy it a 10 gallon aquarium. I provided large gravel to cover the bottom some fake plants and some rocks from my garden that I washed and then stacked to give it place to crawl out. Pretty much ever since he's been in the larger aquarium (that is 3 quarters full) he just goes to the top and gulps air then floats. He moves occasionally from one area to another but always spends a significant amount of time in each spot. He only seems to go to the bottom of the tank when, I assume, I've startled him by going to look at him and when he does he often bumps into things before coming to a completely hault and being very still until he is 'relaxed' again then he swim up to the top, gulps some air and becomes buoyant again. Could this be gas bubble disease? Or is it just something they do when deveoping their lungs? Should I be concerned about it's lack of activity and disinterest in food? Should I provide and air stone or just a water pump? Also I didn't have a chance to let the tank cycle before placing him in it due to the harsh conditions of his other much smaller plastic container. Could this have something to do with its behavior? I haven't been able to hook up the water pump yet and wont be able to until this evening he has only been in his new take for about 24 hrs but already the water is getting cloudy. Any suggestions? Also it's water temp is between 72 and 74F. Sorry for the length of my post I hope someone can helpme I'm really worried about my new friend and don't want him to die.