Illness/Sickness: Sick juvie lotl. is he dying!???

[Rea124]

Okay, so I think he may be dying, hes maybe 8 months old. I noticed this morning him floating on his side at the top of the water, limbs are will even be exposed. I'm aware of bloating and what not, but this is def. not normal. He will eat if I feed him, though I am avoiding it if he is just constipated/bloated.When I tried to see if he was alive he will move and swim with extreme frustration because he will literally swim upside down frantically!

Note: there is no filter, I feed him freeze dried krill which I soak in water prior to feeding about every 2 day (2-3 times a week)

any ideas????

 

[Rea124]

another view

 

[hannahll]

Hi! I have an axolotl who has been doing the same thing lately!
Has yours been moving much? Like struggling to get to the bottom? If so, our lotls are very similar.
In the past couple weeks, once a week or so, she tries to put herself in between one of the decorations and the side of the tank so she doesn't float. She struggles to stay on the bottom. My water parameters all checked out just fine. So i was assuming there's a lot of air in her stomach. First thing i did was took her out and put her in a separate container. Then, when i got her to eat, i lowered the tank water (but i see you've already done that), and the next day she's on the bottom again.
How long has it been going on?
Also, if you could, please post your water parameters (nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, pH) that may be the reason.

my thread http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...l/90376-cheese-acting-strange.html#post374788

 

[Chirple]

It could be air / constipation. It seems to be much more common when they are young - it happened it mine a few times when he was little. The above questions will help in case it's something else, though.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Alkylhalide]

First id take the advice above. Take him out of the tank and put him in fresh dechlorinated water low enough that he isnt stressed over floating but enough to keep it covered. Replace the water daily.
It may be air in his stomach or constipation.
I would really suggest to stop feeding him freeze dried food. It has pretty much 0 nutritional value to it. Earthworms and even frozen bloodworms or carnivore pellets would be much better choices for him!
Keep feeding him and he should eventually pass if it is air bubble in his stomach.

 

[Kaysie]

I agree, freeze-dried food is terrible. Get it on some live worms and into a shallow container.

 

[Petersgirl]

The guys above have given you some good advice, but I just want to add in about fridging. I wouldn't worry too much - I know it looks really scary - but it probably is a little trapped wind, an air bubble or constipation.

I'd do as the others have suggested - try some Earthworms or frozen bloodworm for food and move the axxie to a cool, clean tub or small tank, with enough water to cover the axxie comfortably. Do daily water changes while he is in rehab.

You can fridge if he doesn't appear to be passing his food properly. I'd try it after a few days if he doesn't perk up, pass his food or doesn't eat, but if he gets better, no worries. Also, as Hannah said, if you could post your parameters that would be great. It may be the water chemistry, but it sounds to me like trapped wind or constipation.