Axo floating

[luca09]

Hi, I've 2 axo's in the same tank. 1 is ok, the other has been floating at the surface for a couple of days now. I have tried the salt bath in case there was any fungal infection but this foesn't seemed to have made any difference. There is very little movement but it does move very slowly.
They have been in the same tank for approx 2 months and do a 20% water change regularly.
Anyone any suggestions?
Sick axo's seem to be common.

 

[Jennewt]

Try a forum search for "floating" and "axolotl". I just answered this one:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be.../f58-sick-axolotl/91925-floating-axolotl.html

 

[auntiejude]

He's probably just swallowed some air - he'll either belch it up or fart and then be fine!

 

[Petersgirl]

It might seem there are a lot of sick axolotls but this is one of the best sources for Caudates on the internet, so we do get a lot of users on here. The other upside is that a lot of the problems on here are worries rather than genuine emergencies or sicknesses. These guys take a lot of getting used to and a lot of their normal behaviour does worry new owners - myself included - fortunately, a lot of cases are easily solved!

Floating can be caused by consipation, trapped wind or learning to float (if the axolotl is very young they swallow air to swim). If this carries on for a week or so I might suggest fridging to try and cause the release of wind (it seems to be the lower temp that does it). But I wouldn't try it yet. Fridging does stress them out a bit. Also, I wouldn't try a salt bath again unless you see fungus, as these do stress them out. If you're worried about a wound or sore skin in future, a tea bath is warmly recommended as they don't bother the axolotl, tighten the skin and have a slight antibacterial effect. Hope he's better soon!