Should I fridge him?

[Shuichi]

My juvie can't seem to get his back end on the floor. It started yesterday with just his back feet, but today it looks like he's doing a handstand, can't keep his back end on the floor and is occasionally floating. I fed him twice on Sunday and wondering if that caused it.
The other juvie is fine.

 

[auntiejude]

This is called 'floaty-bum syndrome' and will pass on it's own in 90% of cases. Your axie needs to poop, thats all, it only needs fridging if it hasn't pooped for a week or has eaten gravel.

What are you feeding it? Assuming it is over 3" you can try earthworms if you haven't already.

And how long has this been going on? It's not unusual for it last a few days - be ready with the turkey baster when your axie finally decides to poop!

 

[Shuichi]

I feed them small/chopped earthworms, but fed them twice on Sunday due to missing the day before. They don't have gravel and its only been going on for 2 days. He's in a tub with low water atm, he seems a lot calmer.
I thought that might be what it was, but I'm a worrier since my leucistic was ill. Thanks.

 

[Shuichi]

Ok, that seemed to be the problem and he was fine for a short while. Then he started floating at the top of the water for a few days, did his business and it still hasn't helped. Today, both of them are floating. I did a full water change so I don't think that's the problem. They're eating fine. I'm wondering if now is the right time to fridge them, though I'm not sure what the problem is.

 

[Sweetie]

Juvies will often do this, sometimes for a few days or even a couple of weeks at a time. They can swallow air bubbles or have constipation problems. If all other behaviours are normal, they are eating well, and your water parameters are normal, you probably should try not to worry too much yet. They must just have decided they like to do a bit of floating.

 

[Shuichi]

One isn't too bad, but the other keeps stressing out, making huge splashes a few times a day. He also has part of his back and legs out of the water which I'm concerned about. Looking at them now, they also slightly float on their side. I don't know if I should put them in a little tub each for now as that seemed to help last time.

 

[auntiejude]

Fridging is not necessary, keep them in tubs with plenty of cover e.g. pondweed floating on the surface and a tunnel or cave for them to wedge under.

It usually passes on its own, it's just gas in their digestive system.