Floating problem

[robert]

I have had our axolotl since 05/03/05 and after a few days settling in he was fine. I have been feeding a menu of blood worms beef heart and axolotl pellets. Ammonia is zero nitrites are zero and nitrates are around 10-15. Temp ranges from 17 - 20 ( Homemade Chiller ) All of a sudden he is floating. He try's to swim to the bottom but can't. I took him out to put in the fridge for a few days and he try's to crawl out of the container. I have sand substrate and rocks 4 times bigger than his mouth. Also when I put a frozen water bottle in the tank he try's to crawl on top of it, like he wants to leave the water. any help would be great.

 

[sharn]

when a aquatic animal wants to leave the water (its life line) thats a bad sign, have you sprayed anything around the tank lately, or even in near by rooms? it seems like something is irritating him...

is he just floating or floating upside down? if hes the right way up he may have just gulped air and is yet to let it out, you could try a gentle tummy rub, put on some powder free latex gloves and pat his tum like youd pat a mouse on the head (if he'll let you).

if you can lower the temp so he can touch the bottom in his tank that would be good, if not put him in a container in the fridge.

good luck and let us know how you get on!

 

[robert]

Hi Sharn He is not upside down and nothing has been sprayed near his tank. I have two axolotl and the other on is fine. This one is the larger of the two.I have placed him in a shallow container in the fridge and I will try the Tummy rub. Talking about gulping air he was always swimming to the surface to do that where the younger one is happy to stay put. Also when I put him back in the tank do I have to acclimatise him to the higher temp as you would a fish?

 

[sandra]

Hello-
I am hoping that someone may have some suggestions for me concerning my tiger salamander. I know that this site primarily deals with axolotls, but they seem similar enough.
She has been bloated, stopped eating and hasn't had a bowel movement in about 2 weeks. I had her to the vet twice, had x-rays (which showed nothing), had her on baytril (an antibiotic) and flagyl, and currently force feed her Carnivore Care everyday. I also have been soaking her in warm ringers baths. She doesn't seem to be improving, but remains very alert. She is also 18 years old. Any ideas?

(Message approved by jennewt)

 

[robert]

Just a short note to say thank you Sharn. I put Warf in the fridge for 24 hours and then took him out and gave him a belly rub. ( lifted his leg like my dog lol ) Bubbles came out of his mouth and then when I put him back in the tank he went straight to the bottom and has been there ever since, with the occasional swim to the top. Thanks again.

 

[sharn]

good to hear hes feeling better! they can be stubborn holding onto those bubbles sometimes cant they