Axolotl question

Nellie and Morla · 14-01-2012, 10:59 AM

I'm just asking this out of curiosity as I tried on Yahoo and got no response. The anatomy of axolotl's wasn't covered on my Animal Care course either. I know a fair bit about axolotl's and am even thinking when Algie finally passes on of setting up a breeding pair. However, I have been wondering for years how they maintain buoyancy. Do they have a swimbladder or do they use oil or some other method?

And I don't want any stupid responses about how they don't need one because all they do is sit at the bottom. A happy axolotl has moments of activity and swimming, it's rather amusing to watch.

**Alan1** · 14-01-2012, 11:29 AM

as far as I know they don't have a swim bladder

**Alan1** · 14-01-2012, 11:33 AM

try here http://www.axolotl.org/

I used to keep Steatocranus casuarius (lionhead cichlid) which had similar behaviour, used to hop about rather than swim and they supposedly had a 'reduced' swim bladder so maybe that could be the case there too

Nellie and Morla · 14-01-2012, 11:47 AM

Thanks I have been on that site before, mostly for info on genetics since I already knew all about keeping them. They mostly choose to either sit on the bottom and crawl about or float at the top but if they're happy and healthy they will have mad half hours where they just swim like something possessed. Can also swim pretty fast for their food. I just find it funny that the buoyancy method isn't really clear. I wanted to know years back because she had an infection and she couldn't help floating, so that made me wonder whether they have a swim bladder or not.

Kirkie · 14-01-2012, 11:59 AM

In freshwater turtle buoyancy control its a combination of the volume of air held in the lungs and water in the bladder. May be similar for amphibians.

Nellie and Morla · 14-01-2012, 12:22 PM

The bladder part possibly. Axolotls don't have lungs unless they've been forced to metamorphose. I have managed to find out on RFUK that they don't have swim bladders so that's one thing I suppose. This isn't something easy to find out lol

I was made to wonder when Algie had an infection at 2 years, I had to call the vet out but I forgot to ask him. Sounds like he's moved since so time to worry bout who I call if she's ill.

Kirkie · 14-01-2012, 12:27 PM

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-beg...im-up-air.html

Nellie and Morla · 14-01-2012, 01:15 PM

Oh right, so despite all the diagrams I've seen they say they do have some form of lungs, obviously not used as lungs though. I'd guess they also use their stomachs to a degree then. Cool like it when I can rest my mind on a matter.

14-01-2012, 10:59 AM	#1
Nellie and Morla Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 165	Axolotl question I'm just asking this out of curiosity as I tried on Yahoo and got no response. The anatomy of axolotl's wasn't covered on my Animal Care course either. I know a fair bit about axolotl's and am even thinking when Algie finally passes on of setting up a breeding pair. However, I have been wondering for years how they maintain buoyancy. Do they have a swimbladder or do they use oil or some other method? And I don't want any stupid responses about how they don't need one because all they do is sit at the bottom. A happy axolotl has moments of activity and swimming, it's rather amusing to watch. __________________ Owners of: 2 Horsfield tortoises, Nellie (male) and Morla (female) 1 female axolotl, Algie 1 male Noseby panther chameleon 2 White's tree frogs, Lilly (female) and Rollie (male) 1 hypotranslucent smoothie chilli red female bearded dragon, Blaze

14-01-2012, 11:33 AM	#3
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	try here http://www.axolotl.org/ I used to keep Steatocranus casuarius (lionhead cichlid) which had similar behaviour, used to hop about rather than swim and they supposedly had a 'reduced' swim bladder so maybe that could be the case there too Last edited by Alan1; 14-01-2012 at 11:39 AM.

14-01-2012, 11:47 AM	#4
Nellie and Morla Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 165	Thanks I have been on that site before, mostly for info on genetics since I already knew all about keeping them. They mostly choose to either sit on the bottom and crawl about or float at the top but if they're happy and healthy they will have mad half hours where they just swim like something possessed. Can also swim pretty fast for their food. I just find it funny that the buoyancy method isn't really clear. I wanted to know years back because she had an infection and she couldn't help floating, so that made me wonder whether they have a swim bladder or not. __________________ Owners of: 2 Horsfield tortoises, Nellie (male) and Morla (female) 1 female axolotl, Algie 1 male Noseby panther chameleon 2 White's tree frogs, Lilly (female) and Rollie (male) 1 hypotranslucent smoothie chilli red female bearded dragon, Blaze

14-01-2012, 12:22 PM	#6
Nellie and Morla Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 165	The bladder part possibly. Axolotls don't have lungs unless they've been forced to metamorphose. I have managed to find out on RFUK that they don't have swim bladders so that's one thing I suppose. This isn't something easy to find out lol I was made to wonder when Algie had an infection at 2 years, I had to call the vet out but I forgot to ask him. Sounds like he's moved since so time to worry bout who I call if she's ill. __________________ Owners of: 2 Horsfield tortoises, Nellie (male) and Morla (female) 1 female axolotl, Algie 1 male Noseby panther chameleon 2 White's tree frogs, Lilly (female) and Rollie (male) 1 hypotranslucent smoothie chilli red female bearded dragon, Blaze

14-01-2012, 01:15 PM	#8
Nellie and Morla Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 165	Oh right, so despite all the diagrams I've seen they say they do have some form of lungs, obviously not used as lungs though. I'd guess they also use their stomachs to a degree then. Cool like it when I can rest my mind on a matter. __________________ Owners of: 2 Horsfield tortoises, Nellie (male) and Morla (female) 1 female axolotl, Algie 1 male Noseby panther chameleon 2 White's tree frogs, Lilly (female) and Rollie (male) 1 hypotranslucent smoothie chilli red female bearded dragon, Blaze

14-01-2012, 11:29 AM	#2
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	as far as I know they don't have a swim bladder

14-01-2012, 11:59 AM	#5
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	In freshwater turtle buoyancy control its a combination of the volume of air held in the lungs and water in the bladder. May be similar for amphibians.

14-01-2012, 12:27 PM	#7
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-beg...im-up-air.html

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