Floating axolotl

[byrdbioteacher]

I got my axolotl about a week ago. All went well, he was eating and doing well, swimming around his tank. Today when I woke up, he was hanging around the middle of his tank and now he's only at the surface, often near the filter. Is he sick? He didn't eat anything today either. Sorry if this is a double post but I couldn't find an answer

 

[Wysper]

Is he belly up? Or just kinda floating along with his legs dangling free?

What are the water parameters? Temperature? Are his gills or tail curled?

Can you post pictures?

 

[byrdbioteacher]

Sorry, probably should have posted more info. He's floating belly down, legs dangling, not moving much. He'll occasionally swim a few inches but mostly he just sort of hangs out. Still hasn't eaten anything Water is 68-70 degrees not sure on ph or mineral numbers. Gills are straight, tail is straight. He will occasionally look like he's breathing air, as in stick his mouth to the surface. Sorry, I can't post pictures.

 

[Wysper]

The temp could probably be a few degrees cooler, but if it's steady then I wouldn't worry "to" much about that.

He sounds like he is perfectly fine. I have 4 4month old babies myself and they vary between floating at the top to moving around a lot. Sounds to me like he's just digesting.

Try and feed him a little more later tonight and see if he will take it. If he doesn't look like he is obvious distress, I don't think you have a problem.

 

[Wysper]

Also, as a side note...

Axolotl's do have both gills AND lungs. So yes, he probably is breathing air from time to time. This is nothing to worry about at all.