Axolotls biting at the water's surface?

[e23ho]

Hi,

We've got four little axies (3-6 inches) that we just brought home from the store yesterday. We filled 2/3 of the tank with water quick-cycled by the drops (24-hr job), and 1/3 with water from their tank at the store (we got a few extra bags filled to the brim).

They've been eating fine and are relatively active, but they frequently swim up to the surface and bite at the surface of the water - or at the air (?)..... Is this normal?

What are they doing, and does it need to stop?

Thanks,
Elaine

 

[Rhysmachine101]

Perfectly normal.
Axolotls have a rudimentary lung- so they go up to the surface to fill it now and then.

 

[mekkha]

From what I remember reading (please correct me if I'm wrong!) it is perfectly normal. Axolotls just go to the surface to take in some air. Some do it more often and some only do it once in a while. It all depends on the axie.

Personally I would keep an eye on it so that if ever the pattern changes (say they go up for air all the time and suddenly stop doing it for several days) you will be aware of the pattern change and different behavior. I think that is when it would become more of an issue (the axie not acting like it normally does).

 

[e23ho]

Thanks for confirming this. Good idea about watching the patterns - will do! These little guys just get more and more interesting!

Holiday wishes,
Elaine

 

[christen525]

Just confirming what everyone else said. Its totally normal, mine do it when they're feeling spunking and swimming all around