Axolotl gulping air?

[AxYlOvEr]

Sorry if this was already a thread, I searched for it and didn't find anything, so I thought I'd make one.
I've had Mika, my axolotl, since Sunday and just today (Thursday) I noticed him swimming up to the surface of the water to gulp air. I watched him for a while and he didn't do it again, so I don't thing he's doing it all the time, it was just that one time I saw. Does this mean he's short of oxygen, or is it natural for an axie to do it once in a while? How often can I expect him to do this? If it does mean he's short of oxygen, how do I get the oxygen levels up?
Thanks :wacko:

 

[ianclick]

Hi Axylover,

The sort of gulping you have described sound like normal axolotl behaviour. They sometimes do it to help them float. If he was doing it frequently it may indicate a water quality issue. If you have a waterfall type filter it should aerate the water enough but if you are worried you could always put in an air stone.

Good Luck and welcome

 

[AxYlOvEr]

Thanks
How often do they do that roughly?

 

[ianclick]

I have 8 all up and 3 of them do it maybe twice a day that I see. The other 5 do it occaisionally maybe once a week or so.

Its hard to gauge there may be more occaisions that I don't witness.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Hi Axylover,

The terminology for axies going to the surface to gulp air is called buccal pumping. The lining inside the axie's mouth is a mucous membrane tissue that is specialised to also allow gaseous exchange as well as excretion of metabolic wastes. Occasional surfacing to gulp air is normal.

In addition, surfacing can also allow them to expel gases trapped in the alimentary tract, much like burping or eructation. In both instances, the axie should then sink back down to the bottom of the tank. You would suspect a problem if the axie appears to be floating all the time or stuggling to get out of the water.

You can increase the oxygenation of the tank by aerating the tank. Filters and air stones are examples. In addition, cold water is able to hold more oxygen per unit volume compared to waters at higher temperature. Thus you basically have higher oxygen levels in waters at 18 degree celsius compared to 20 degree celsius.

Cheers.

 

[AxYlOvEr]

Thanks
I've only seen him do it twice and I've had him nearly two weeks now so I don't think it's an issue.
:wacko: Thanks again for the info