Floating,tail up!

[reddrider]

Hi this is my first post on this forum. I`ve had 2 Axies for a couple of years now and never known the sex. I came home tonight and the one i thought was male (MAX) was floating around the tank with his tail up, head down and what looks like his ******(can`t remember the real term Cloaca..or something) very swollen! Any ideas what the problem could be? I can`t see any eggs in the tank and i`m guessing he might be a bit sick of this floating stuff.
Thanks
Dave.

 

[ali000]

A photo would be helpful if you can.

There may be several reasons it's hard to tell from the info you've given, but basically from my limited knowledge if he is in fact a she then she may be egg bound, on the other hand he may just need to pooh. if he's on gravel then he may have swolled some and be struggling to pass it, a spell in the fridge may help his bowls relax

it would be easier to tell from more info such as water parameters/ substrate size etc

 

[digger]

Normally that position is an indication of needing a poo.
But as said before a photo might help and some indication of how long he has been like this, also what kid of substrate do you use?

 

[littleonyxguppy]

My Axolotl had the same problem about a year ago. Having only kept fish before I thought it may be swim bladder problem. I tested the water, asked anyone who would listen, changed from bloodworm to beef heart. In the end I think he may have been having slight bowel trouble as out it came and he was back to normal within the week!

 

[ianclick]

Hi Dave,

Sounds like classic symptoms of constipation or impaction. What do you have as a substrate?

I would stop feeding for a few days or a week and see what comes out.