Cynops orientalis floating

[Chromodrak]

Hi there! I've got a pair of cynops orientalis in a tank with a bunch of larvae, and one of them (the male, from what I can see) seems to have been having trouble with staying on the floor of the tank. He keeps floating, and is in a constant struggle to reach the bottom of the tank.

I just noticed this problem, but otherwise he seems pretty active and energetic. Is this a normal gastrointestinal issue? What can I do to resolve it?

He's also been developing a couple of bumps on his skin, but they don't seem to be affecting his energy.

 

[minorhero]

How long have you had them?

Its pretty normal if they haven't eaten in a while, then after a meal to have this kind of issue. But it also goes away after a day. If it's been longer than that there might be something else going on.

Is there any kind of haul out location in the tank? Floating cork bark, or a stick out of the water. If so is he taking advantage of that? If not, add one and see if the male climbs on. If he refuses to go into the water that tells you something about your water.

A picture of the tank can also be helpful.

 

[Chromodrak]

Sorry! Been really busy these last couple of days, and I missed this. I feed 'em twice a week, but yeah, it's been going on a while. There's a large stick I've covered in java moss for them to latch onto and hang around, and they do that sometimes, but given the weather and the heat over here they haven't been really keen to stay out of the water for long lately.

When he does climb out, though, he's willing to go back in; it's kind of weird, since it almost looks like he has something of a hunchback when underwater. The floating (gassy, maybe?) part of his body looks like it's in his abdomen, and sometimes he can sink well enough to just hang around some rocks underwater.

I went over to feed them today, and he was just floating near the water surface, randomly gulping for air every so often.

 

[minorhero]

Try switching to feeding every other day and do 50% water changes every week. If it's just gas that should resolve it in a week or so.

 

[Chromodrak]

Gotcha. Update this later!