Floating

[darren]

Hi all,
I came home last night to find my axolotl floating just above the stones not moving, I switched the light on and she swam off as normall, is this ok behaviour? Also sho seems to be asleep most of the day and only wakes up or even moves on a night time is this normal?

Thanks.

 

[cynthia]

Hi Darren welcome to the forum.

From issue 28 of the axolotl news letter:
Floating or tilting in the water can be a
sign of systemic problems. This behavior is
different than the axolotls’ "hangout" posture,
in which they appear to be suspended midtank.
Hangout is normal axolotl behavior.

When floating is a symptom of illness, the
axolotl looks a bit hunched, sometimes with
its back or tail out of the water at the surface.
It seems sprawled out. Often it looks like it is
leaning on one side. These signs can be an
indication that there is some infection
either effecting the animal’s equilibrium or producing extra gas.

Your axolotl sounds like it was in "hangout" posture which, as stated above is normal behavior.

Axolotls are active at night, so yes your axolotl sounds normal to me.

 

[cynthia]

Darren - I posted a picture of normal floating in the axolotl gallery under "hangout" should you wish to view it.