floating and curved tail sub-adult

[monomike]

Hey all. One of my little guys has taken to floating a bit and has that curved tail thing going, plus he won't eat. From what I've read on this site and others there aren't the best signs. I put him/her in the fridge with some stress-coat stuff. I have another sub-adult in the same tank that seems to be doing fine and have tested the water for ammonia-- it seems ok. I was gone for a few days and the temp rose to around 20 but I have it back down now. Any thoughts or other ideas?

As always, thanks!

 

[digger]

you should just place your axie in the fridge in dechlorinated water dont add anything to it as chemicals are harmful.
the water should just cover the back so as they are unable to float,cover the container with some thing dark to prevent light startling it and also temp fluctuations.
also make sure there is another bottle in the fridge with dechlorinated water for water changes and the temp is above 5 degs.
being in the fridge helps destress.
you should test all your water parameters and make sure they read 0 apart from nitrate, anything above 0 amonia and nitrite is harmful.
if they are to high start doing daily water changes 20/30% until they stabalise.
hope this is helpful
ps
if your other axie starts to show signs of stress remove it immediately until the cause is found and sorted out.
good luck.

 

[Kaysie]

What kind of filter are you using?

 

[monomike]

It's a 40 gl tank with two external filters that use spray bars. I heard I was supposed to keep the splashing down, so work with those. I'm also cooling it with a couple fans and a big bucket of icewater that one of te filter tubes runs through. The evap cooling drops the water quick and sometimes it splashes for a bit before I move the bars down. (I work to replenish and remove some water by hand to manage salinity too, and I think that's working.) I'm struggling with these guys. I bought 6 larvae and am down to two 3 months later. I think temperature has been a big part, and thought I had it under control... I monitor the hell out of the thing and they keep struggling. Meanwhile, my amphiuma in another tank is doing just great! Maybe axies aren't my thing?!