Advice needed!

[letsgetsmiling]

Hi! I got my axolotl a few weeks ago and, as I posted in the introduction section, he seemed to be settling in fine. However, his behaviour recently has me concerned. I don't know whether I'm just doing the typical paranoid new owner thing, but I thought it's better to be safe than sorry. Recently I've noticed him swimming against the glass a lot. I tested the water and noticed the ammonia was a bit high. I did a few water changes and tested the water today and it's fine. However, he's still doing this. I was watching him today and he was swimming frantically against the glass.. sides and corner. He doesn't do it 24/7, but has been doing it enough to give me cause for concern. I've been reading on here for ideas as to what might be causing this, but I'm stumped! So I was wondering if anybody had any ideas I haven't thought of or any advice? Included some information below on the conditions he's in...

Sand substrate
Gentle flow from filter
Fed on bloodworms, but will be getting him earthworms
Gills fine
Tail fine
No obvious physical signs of illness
Perfect temperature
Eating
Tank all to himself and he has more than enough space
No light on the tank
Has places to hide

 

[tammyaxie]

Does he do it even when you're not by the tank? If yes then do a few more water changes with declhlorinated water and make sure the temp is cool enough. If he does it when u go by the tank he's just another axie singing that axie chorus "feeeed meeeee"

 

[letsgetsmiling]

Yeah I've stood a distance away and watched him doing it. The temperature's definitely cool enough. How much water changing would be too much water changing?

 

[letsgetsmiling]

I should also mention that he's not just swimming directly at the sides and corners, he's turning/thrashing about as well while he does that.

 

[tammyaxie]

That sounds like he's stressed then. Are u declhlorinating? Are you using test strip or liquid test kit? Strip are unreliable and may give you false readings. 40-50% water changes shouldn't destroy your cycle really.

 

[letsgetsmiling]

Yup, decholrinating the water before I put it in. I was using strips, but have ordered a liquid test kit. I'd been using the strips on my betta's tank as well and the ammonia's always been fine there.