Courtlez
New member
I really need some advice. Two days ago I came home from work and one of axolotls was moving around on the top of the water kind of irratically It seemed to be floating on one side and couldn’t seem to balance itself in the water. I was a little concerned but other than that she seemed fine. A few hours later I heard a bit of splashing so I went over to check and she was floating on her back. She couldn’t flip over at all. I tried to help her but as soon as she left my hands she would flop right back on her back. I quickly tried to search on here and online and figured she may be constipated. I didn’t want to leave her in the tank like that because I didn’t want my other axolotl to bite at her so I decided to put her in the fridge. I expected that she would clear herself out but she hasn’t. I’ve changed the water every night since then but she’s still on her back. I messaged the breeder I got her from (because there’s no vets around where I live to take a look at her) and he basically said sometimes these things happen and there’s nothing you can do about it. I don’t accept that, there has to be something I can do. It seems to me like her stomach if filled with air and that’s why she can’t flip over. Her stomach just popped out of the water. It’s been two days and no change. Aside from being flipped the wrong way she seems in good spirits. I haven’t tried to feed her and she hasn’t used the bathroom since being in the fridge. I would really like to help her somehow but I’m not sure what to do. (I’ve also tried to massage her stomach as I read that can help but I’m scared I’ll hurt her ?) the temperature in the tank she was in is about 65. Nitrate 0.2 / ammonia 0.1. I try and do small water changes 2x weekly in their tank as it helps to keep the temperature low so I don’t think it was the water tbh. In the tank I have a piece of pvc, a plastic hide and a fake bonsai tree with sand for substrate. I haven’t changed anything in the tank since I got my axies in April. There’s nothing I can see that could cause impact ion. I’m very sad over this and would like to know any suggestions you guys have as to how to help her get better.