Sinking Chai

[tammyaxie]

So Chai sinks like a rock. Is this normal? It tries to stay up but keeps sinking. It gulps air a lot and I'm assuming it's to keep itself afloat. It really acts a lot like a fish, swiming quickly back and forth against the side of the tank. No signs of stress so I hope there isn't a problem. Is the sinking normal? It was last fed earthworms on Saturday. It has a tiny red spot under it's bottom lip

can this be from bumping around because Chai does bump around swimming so quickly along the bottom side of the tank as well as sinking quickly. Thanks for the help

 

[tammyaxie]

Don't know how to rotate already posted pics

 

[rachel1]

Axolotls normally live on the bottom, so hanging out at the bottom is normal. If it acts like it has a hard time swimminv or really seems that "heavy" compared to the other, it's possible it may have swallowed sand that is weighing it down. I would keep an eye on it, and maybe move it to a bare bottom tank for a couple days to see if it is passing sand. As long as the grains are small enough to pass through the digestive tract, it shouldn't be an issue, but if it's actively eating sand I might move to a bare tank to avoid any possible issues with impaction. I can't really see the red spot you mention, but it certainly could be a bruise. Check your water parameters to rule out a water quality issue, and keep an eye on it. A bruise should clear up in less than a week. Hope that helps!

 

[tammyaxie]

Thanks rachel1. I know they crawl on the tank floor but ive never seen one take a dive quite like Chai. She comes down fast. Testing the water quality in a few to rule out that red spot being water related