Axolotl rarely comes up for air, seems to struggle to rise.

[Linkisnotzelda]

Hi guys, I’ve had my axolotl for a while now, and he never seems to go up for air unless he is in a very shallow tub (when I move him). He seems to want to, as he sometimes appears to be trying to head upwards, but he doesn’t really swim up, instead he tries to walk vertically on the glass, then give up. Other times I walk in and see him climb up on a plant to about an inch away from the surface, but he doesn’t go up for air. At first, I was worried he was having trouble swimming, but then he proved me wrong by swimming up and down and everywhere when I had to help him get his head unstuck from under his feeding plate (how he got stuck is anyone’s guess). Do any of you guys have axolotls who seem to never go up for air? Is he just too lazy, or should I be worried. He’s been doing this ever since he grew out of his floatie-baby stage.

Here are some pictures of him. My water parameters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 20-40 nitrates (I have a heavily planted tank), KH 100-120, GH 130-140, PH 7.6, and water temperature between 65 and 67 degrees (this is in summer). Please, if you have any feedback, let me know! Thanks!

 

[Ludghens]

Have you seen any signs of stress because of it?
My axie tends to swim around but rarely goes up for air to the surface, I think that unless they need surface air they won't do it but I'm not entirely sure. Stay calm, as far as I can see he looks healthy!

 

[Linkisnotzelda]

He doesn’t seem to be stressed about it, but he just never does it... maybe the plants keep the oxygen levels high enough so he doesn’t need to? Thanks to your input!