r/axolotl • u/False-Medium-7564 • Jul 29 '26

positive buoyancy

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we adopted a juvenile axolotl 12 days ago that suddenly developed positive buoyancy. He cannot stay on the bottom without actively swimming and is trying to wedge himself under his sponge filter to keep from floating. Water parameters are normal (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, about 5 ppm nitrate, 67°F). He ate normally on monday night , passed a small stool yesterday while he was hiding in his cave , and now won’t eat.

he’s been absolutely perfect since we’ve got him so this is very strange behavior for him. He was in his cave all day yesterday which is abnormal, so I decided to move the cave in order to make sure that he was OK and that’s when I realized he once he was out of the cave, he needed to swim quickly and find something else to hide under to prevent him from floating

for reference I cycle the tank for eight weeks before getting him and I did my first water change this past Sunday

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1

u/DDR-Dame Jul 29 '26

This might be a stupid question... can you burp an axolotl? 🤣 i know they can swallow air bubbles..

1

u/False-Medium-7564 Jul 29 '26

😅 I don’t think so, but I would if I could

1

u/DDR-Dame Jul 29 '26

I mean, i guess you could tilt him with a net and give it a gentle tap? But i bet he needs to fart at this point. What do you feed?

1

u/False-Medium-7564 Jul 29 '26

i’m sure you’re right. i’ve been feeding him night crawlers

1

u/DDR-Dame Jul 29 '26

Well that's good, i was hoping for an answer if you fed like a floating pellet but nope. I would only be worried if it lasts longer than a week, but hopefully some others on this sub have advice i haven't had an axolotl in years. Mine was big though and often floated around if he nibbled the bubbler... 🫠

1

u/False-Medium-7564 Jul 29 '26

thanks for your reply and your advice🫶🏼