Axolotl floating head up

[misssquiddy]

Hi everyone, I have a female axolotl who has started floating head end up. She's still otherwise behaving normally (normal feisty self), it doesn't look like bloat and she's not gulping air but I gave her a short spell in the fridge in case it was digestive. She managed to sink straight back down after but is back to floating again after a few hours.

I've done a 25% water change which has had no effect. Not sure where to go with this next - suggestions appreciated!

 

[AMurry24537]

Pictures and water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temperature) would be helpful

 

[misssquiddy]

Thanks, I'll remember for next time. She finally made it back to the bottom of the tank a couple of hours ago so I'm keeping a watchful eye.

 

[losfrijoles]

If she is able to go to the bottom, you should not need to fridge her. How long did you keep her in the fridge? Any time shorter than a few days (like 5) is probably not worth it and does more harm than good. It stresses them to change temperatures like that. As always, in the fridge you need daily water changes to avoid ammonia problems and excessive stress.

Some axolotls like to float, especially when they're younger. Our 5" axolotl floats all the time (like all day long). Our 11" axolotl almost never floats. They're just being silly.

If you're worried it's impaction, I believe they usually float butt-end up and will appear to swim frantically down. It will go on for days.

 

[misssquiddy]

Thanks @losfrijoles! She is 5 years old, very calm, and has never behaved like this. I've seen gas issues before and this wasn't that - she was head up, tail down - so very strange. She still had lots of energy and swam if I disturbed her but not otherwise - no panic or bother about it from her at all. She lost her companion a few months ago but I don't think this has caused any problems.

(Also, I really don't like to take them out and use the fridge, but I really did not know what else to do when the water change had no effect. It seemed to work but it always makes me very nervous! After I posted the first time I did another 50% water refresh just to be cautious. Things seem better now, but I am checking a lot and will be worried about her for a while.)

PS: Totally thought your photo was a huge albino lizard sitting on the top of an airplane headrest for a moment there!