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11 Causes Of A Bloated Axolotl And How To Fix Them!

Axolotls are sky rocketing in popularity within the aquarium keeping community and they are very close to being the most commonly kept amphibian pet in the world.

That said, axolotls can be tricky to care for as their diet and water quality has to be quiet particular to allow them to thrive.

One common problem that we have seen people reporting time and time again is that they have problems with a bloated axolotl.

Even if you do everything perfectly, there are just so many reasons that your axolotl can end up bloated that it is a very common problem to have.

Unfortunately, a bloated axolotl can quickly become a dead axolotl and although many of the causes of bloating in axolotls are easy to fix if you treat the issue quickly enough, it can be difficult to workout exactly what’s wrong.

That’s why we usually recommend that you book a video call with a vet to have them assess the health of your pet axolotl via the camera on your smartphone to offer professional advice if possible.

What Causes Bloat In Axolotls?

We have our numbered list of the most common causes of bloating in axolotls below and then we will cover each one of them in more detail under the list:-

  1. Impaction
  2. Infection
  3. Internal Parasites
  4. Problems With Water Quality
  5. Temperature Problems
  6. Constipation
  7. Poor Diet Causing Gas
  8. Kidney Failure
  9. Stress
  10. Cancer
  11. Eggy Female

Impaction

If your axolotl is bloated and you cannot see any other obvious cause, the first thing that you should check for is impaction.

This is where your axolotl has eaten something that it shouldnt have and it is now stuck inside of their intestines or digestive system somewhere causing a blockage.

The most common things that we have seen people reporting that their axolotls have eaten and then become impacted by are:-

  • Gravel
  • Sand
  • Rocks
  • Decorations
  • Substrate
  • Food that is too big for them to eat

Although it may seem like a good idea to feed your axolotl larger pieces of food to save money, it can actually end up causing a lot of problems.

Your axolotl will eat what it can fit into its mouth and if the food is too big, they will take bites out of it and then struggle to swallow the pieces.

This can cause blockages and impaction which is why we recommend only feeding your axolotl food that they can easily eat and digest.

Impaction is a serious problem and if you think that your axolotl may be impacted, the best thing to do is to fast them for 2-3 days and then offer them a bath in distilled water that is slightly warmer than the water they are currently kept in.

If you do suspect that your bloated axolotl is having problems with impaction then you really do need to be seeking advice from a vet as soon as possible though.

Constipation

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls is constipation.

Constipation is a problem that can be caused by a number of different things, but the most common cause that we see is a poor diet.

Impaction and constipation are different yet similar and often confused with each other. Impaction is due to an object that should not have been eaten being stuck where as constipation is due to a build up of food.

This can cause problems with bloating, but it can also lead to weight loss and other health issues.

The best way to avoid impaction is to make sure that your axolotl only eats suitable food that is a good size for them.

Internal Parasites

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls is internal parasites.

Internal parasites are tiny creatures that live inside the intestines of your axolotl and they can cause a whole host of problems.

The most common type of internal parasite that we see people reporting is the giardia parasite.

This is a microscopic parasite that is usually passed on through contaminated water.

If your axolotl ingests this parasite, it will live in their intestines and feed off of their food.

This can cause problems with bloating, but it can also lead to weight loss and other health issues.

Internal parasites are a serious problem and if you think that your axolotl may have them, the best thing to do is to take them to a vet for a check-up.

Problems With Water Quality

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls is problems with water quality.

If you do not keep on top of your axolotls tank, the water can quickly become contaminated with all sorts of harmful bacteria and parasites.

These can cause problems with bloating, but they can also lead to a whole host of other health problems too.

The best way to avoid problems with water quality is to perform regular water changes and to keep on top of your filtration.

You should also avoid using tap water in your axolotls tank as it can contain harmful chemicals that can cause problems.

Poor Diet Causing Gas

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls that we see is poor diet causing gas.

If you are feeding your axolotl a diet that is high in protein, it can cause them to produce more gas than usual.

This can lead to problems with bloating, but it can also lead to other health problems too.

The best way to avoid this problem is to feed your axolotl a diet that is high in fiber and low in protein.

You can find specially formulated axolotl food that is high in fiber and low in protein online or at your local pet store.

Swallowing Air

Another common cause of bloating in axolotls is that they have swallowed air.

This usually happens when they are being fed and they gulp down a lot of air along with their food.

This can lead to problems with bloating, but it can also lead to other health issues too.

The best way to avoid this problem is to feed your axolotl smaller meals more often.

This will help to prevent them from gulping down too much air and it will also help to improve their digestion.

Eggy Female

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls that we see is an eggy female.

If your female axolotl is bloated, it could be because she is full of eggs.

Depending on the age of your axolotl, she may be at risk if she is unable to release her eggs when needed so this problem does need to be monitored closley.

Infection

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls that we see is infection.

There are many different types of infections that your axolotl can get and they can all cause problems with bloating.

The most common type of infection that we see people reporting is a bacterial infection, but viral and fungal infections can also cause issues.

Bacterial infections are usually the result of poor water quality and if you do not keep on top of your axolotls tank, it can quickly become contaminated with all sorts of harmful bacteria.

These bacteria can cause problems with bloating, but they can also cause a whole host of other health problems too.

Fungal infections are usually the result of stress and if your axolotl is stressed, it can make them more susceptible to fungal infections.

Fungal infections can cause problems with bloating, but they can also lead to ulcers and other health issues.

Viral infections are less common, but they can still happen.

Temperature Problems

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls that we see is temperature problems.

If the water in your axolotls tank is too cold, it can slow down their metabolism and make them more prone to problems with bloating.

On the other hand, if the water in your axolotls tank is too hot, it can cause problems with their digestion and make them more prone to bloating.

The ideal water temperature for axolotls is between 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the water in your axolotls tank is outside of this range, it can cause problems so you will need to adjust the temperature accordingly.

Kidney Failure

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls that we see is kidney failure.

Kidney failure is a serious health problem that can lead to a whole host of other problems too.

If you think that your axolotl may be suffering from kidney failure, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Cancer

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls that we see is cancer.

Cancer is a serious health problem that can lead to a whole host of other problems too.

If you think that your axolotl may be suffering from cancer, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Stress

The next most common cause of bloating in axolotls that we see is stress.

Stress is a serious health problem that can lead to a whole host of other problems too.

There is a large amount of cross over with the causes of stress in axolotls and the other issues featured that can make them bloat though so stress is often another symptom of the same issue.