My axolotl keeps floating to the surface

[Boseph]

I purchased my axolotl at an expo and was misinformed about how important the water parameters are so his tank is uncycled I don’t really know what to do at this point I have been testing his tank and keeping an eye on him and the ammonia had been high but I’ve been changing the water often to try to help with that but today once I changed his tank it became really cloudy and he hasn’t been able to keep himself on the bottom of the tank when he swims down as soon as he stops his body starts floating to the top . I need some guidance really on what to do with the cycling of his tank whether it’s possible to do while he’s in it or if I have to do something different while it cycles and maybe the steps on how to do that but I am currently really concerned on how he’s just floating at the top and can’t swim down this hasn’t happened before ,as I am typing this he is swimming more vigorously towards the top now almost like he was mad and is trying to get out please help me I did not do enough research and the expo I bought him from didn’t give me the correct information but I really want him to be happy what can I do as far as the tank levels and him floating near the top

 

[Boseph]

After writing this a couple minutes after he came back down to the bottom of the tank but it’s still seems like his butt is trying to float up and he just swims back down again what could cause there tail to float ?

 

[Autistic Catholic]

If you know your parameters are off, then you need to tub him ASAP. If you think your parameters are off, you need to tub him ASAP. Check your parameters and your temperature as well. Finish your tank cycling process. @wolfen can help you with that.

 

[wolfen]

your axolotl needs to be tubbed in fresh cold dechlorinated water with 2g/l non-iodised salt (the salt level will help reduce the effects of the ammonia exposure ie.. see your other post) changed daily, dechlorinate water before adding axolotl, feed at night change water in morning.
your tank needs to be cycled (the cloudiness is the bacteria bloom), the filter needs to be twice the rated tank size due to it being an axolotl tank ie.. tank 20 gallon = filter 40 gallon minimum, you will need a source of ammonia (it is easiest to use ammonium chloride dr tim being the most popular), whilst cycling it is useful to use a heater (this will help speed up the cycling process), you will need an air pump and air stone (the water needs to be oxygenated for the bacteria as well as your axolotl).
put everything that is needed or required into the tank ie.. heater, air stone, ornaments, hides etc.., add enough ammonium chloride to bring the ammonia to 4ppm, test ammonia levels daily topping up to 4ppm daily, also test nitrites and nitrates as well as ph (use liquid testing for all parameters for accuracy) the cycling is complete when ammonia and nitrites are 0ppm after 24hrs three days in a row, do not do a water change unless either the cycling is complete or the nitrates are 110ppm or higher, if ph goes down 7 use enough bicarbonate of soda to bring it to 7.4-7.6.
once the tank is cycled remove heater and do a water change to reduce nitrates.
see here for ideal water levels for axolotls Water Quality Explained: How It Can Affect Your Axolotl's Health - WSAVA 2015 Congress - VIN
see here for water requirements Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity

 

[Boseph]

Thank you guys so much for the advice I still have some questions ,how much water should be in the tub I put him in and should i empty the water in his tank and start over

 

[frogenjoyer]

Thank you guys so much for the advice I still have some questions ,how much water should be in the tub I put him in and should i empty the water in his tank and start over

I'll let @wolfen tell you what to do from here, but since I'm seeing this reply so soon I can advise you a bit. Don't empty the water in his tank and start over (see wolfen's directions). Just put the axolotl in a clean plastic tub bigger than the size of a shoebox with cold, dechlorinated water with the appropriate salt measurements as described earlier as soon as possible, and worry about the tank later.

 

[frogenjoyer]

I highly recommend getting a second identical plastic tub to move the axolotl over to every morning. This ensures that both tubs water will be the same temperature to limit stress on the axolotl during the tubbing timeline. So, feed the axolotl in the first tub tonight, then fill the second tub with dechlorinated water with the salt mentioned earlier. Tomorrow morning, move the axolotl over to the second tub and replace the water (dechlorinated with salt) in the first tub. Then at night, feed in the second tub. Then, on Sunday morning, move the axolotl back to the first tub. You're going to need to repeat this for the next couple weeks while the tank cycles. I know it's a pain in the ass, but that's why you always do appropriate research before getting a new pet. Wolfen will know better, but eventually you will reduce the amount of salt as they recover. Make sure these tubs have lids, or else you will not need to cycle a tank anymore.

 

[wolfen]

by emptying the tank etc.. it will add at least a week to the cycling time, by cycling the tank as is you have the bacteria required (as shown by the cloudy water) you just need them to be colonised in the filtration and then grown to adequate size.
used a lid for the tub/container as axolotls have a bad habit of jumping out (make sure to provide air holes), unless axolotl is floating the the water can be a cm or so from the rim, if floating then the water needs to be shallow to keep his/her feet on the ground.