axolotl repeated floating

[peilr]

Hello everyone,I have an axolotl that I've raised for 1 year,and it was perfectly healthy all along.
Back in May,I either overfed it or fed slightly spoiled food.It regurgitated food and its dorsal fin shrank as a result. After a full 10-day fast,it rescoverd gradually,and its dorsal fin grew back to nomal.
Starting from late June,it began suffering from frequent buoyancy disorder. It can still sink to the tank bottom on its own,yet it spends most of its time floating.Two days after floating begins,its tail and hind limbs tilt upward,and its whole body drifts on the water surface.This condition eases noticeably after it defecates several times,but the floating symptoms return after several days.It has been trapped in this repeating cycle all month.
It still has a good appetite.The water temperature stays below 20℃,and the tank holds 19liters of water.When the air pump is running,it oftern swims over to the air stone and gulps air bubbles there.
I would really appreciate any advice to break this cycle.Many thanks!
I have lowered the water level to ease its floating symptoms.

 

[peilr]

Hello everyone,I have an axolotl that I've raised for 1 year,and it was perfectly healthy all along.
Back in May,I either overfed it or fed slightly spoiled food.It regurgitated food and its dorsal fin shrank as a result. After a full 10-day fast,it rescoverd gradually,and its dorsal fin grew back to nomal.
Starting from late June,it began suffering from frequent buoyancy disorder. It can still sink to the tank bottom on its own,yet it spends most of its time floating.Two days after floating begins,its tail and hind limbs tilt upward,and its whole body drifts on the water surface.This condition eases noticeably after it defecates several times,but the floating symptoms return after several days.It has been trapped in this repeating cycle all month.
It still has a good appetite.The water temperature stays below 20℃,and the tank holds 19liters of water.When the air pump is running,it oftern swims over to the air stone and gulps air bubbles there.
I would really appreciate any advice to break this cycle.Many thanks!
I have lowered the water level to ease its floating symptoms.

 

[wolfen]

how is the water filtered? or is it changed daily due to lack of water (19 litres is bellow ideal)
ensure that the water is oxygenated well and circulating around tank.
what is he/she being fed?

 

[peilr]

how is the water filtered? or is it changed daily due to lack of water (19 litres is bellow ideal)
ensure that the water is oxygenated well and circulating around tank.
what is he/she being fed?

Thank you for your reply.
In summer,I keep it in a foam cooler and use frozen water bottles replaced every day to maintain low temperatures.The foam containers don't come in a extra large sizes,so the tank is quite small. I will switch to a bigger tank once the weather cools down.There is no filtration system;I change the water every single day.
Is it normal for my axolotl to swim over to the air stone and gulp air?I was worried this would worsen its floating issue,so I've been afraid to turn on the oxygen supply. I normally feed it pallet food.

 

[wolfen]

some hard pellets have been known to cause floating, if they are hard soak them for a while to soften them.
gulping air whether from surface or from an air stone can cause floating, unless it is constant most axolotls will belch to release, once the water holds more oxygen he/she should reduce his/her floating (this isn't always the case as there are some that enjoy floating around)

 

[peilr]

Thank you for your reply!I'm glad it returned to normal just now.I will change the diet and try feeding it bloodworms.I will also add an air stone,and to prevent it from swllowing air bubbles,I will place a cover or shield over the air stone. May I ask what I can do to minimize the occurrence of this situation?Also,will this floating state cause any harm to his health？THANK U!

 

[wolfen]

floating can be stressful as instinctively the surface means danger.
reducing air flow should be enough to prevent air getting trapped whilst allowing your axolotl to relax whilst having an air bath.

 

[peilr]

Thank you！