Although they may come across as a bit extravagant, axolotls are active creatures with their own idea of having fun, eating, sleeping, and playing.
Axolotls: A Complete Pet Owner’s Guide
They have their ways of occupying their time and doing the same activities in nature and in an aquarium. This unique salamander is very sensitive, fragile, quiet, and good-hearted and can be a lovely pet for many years.
Like any other living being, every now and then an axolotl can get sick. Sickness for them is most often expressed in digestion problems or occasional skin infections. If taken care of properly, your walking fish should not get sick that often, let alone die for no reason. However, sometimes they may appear so still and calm that you may wonder if they are alive or not. So you might be wondering, do axolotls like to play dead?
Owners have reported that axolotls have been observed to play dead in their tanks! If you observe your pet appearing unusually still and lifeless this is not a reason to immediately panic. Playing dead is part of their natural behavior and you may observe it now and then. It is not exactly for fun but more like a natural defense mechanism.
Why Do Axolotls Play Dead?
There are several reasons why an axolotl may be putting on a dead performance! Let’s take a closer look:
1. This Is A Defense Mechanism. Axolotls are known for showing cannibalistic behavior. They do eat each other. A younger axolotl may play dead in the presence of other axolotls, especially older ones, to prevent themselves from being eaten. They are also known for eating their own eggs and their eating reflex can be triggered by movement. If you are breeding axolotls in an aquarium you have to separate them from the eggs before they hatch. Otherwise, the eggs will slowly be eliminated by the adults!
2. The Tank Is Suddenly Jolted or Lifted. When they feel their environment is somehow suddenly disturbed they play dead by instinct to prevent being attacked or eaten. This is also a defense mechanism.
3. Their Tank Mates Come Into Physical Contact With Them. Axolotls are lonesome creatures and it is not recommended to combine them with other fish or axolotls. Still, if you have decided to introduce them to other aquatic inhabitants keep in mind that the axolotl may play dead every now and then. Usually, this happens when it feels threatened by the other fish or any other tank mates that come into close contact and accidentally push them, knock into them, or establish some sort of physical contact. The axolotl immediately will presume that it is being attacked and play dead as a defense mechanism.
4. The Water In The Tank Is Being Changed. This is similar to point 2. Changing the water in the tank is a sudden disturbance of the living environment that your axolotl does not expect. It may play dead, again, as a defense mechanism. The same goes when it is transferred from the tank to another container.
Playing dead is a natural defense mechanism of many animals. It is an adaptive behavior to changing environments and possible dangers. Scientifically it is known as thanatosis or playing possum. Sometimes it can be a means of sexual reproduction and a trick to capture prey.
How Do You Know Your Axolotl Is Not Dead For Real?
It is important to know the difference between when your axolotl is playing dead and when it is actually dead. In fact, your pet will look very different in both situations.
When Playing Dead Your Axolotl Will:
- Curl up its body
- Float in the water
- Stay still between 10 and 40 seconds
- Become paler
When Actually Dead Your Axolotl Will:
- Lay down on its side or back usually with limbs in the air
- Float uncontrollably for a long time
- Stay still for more than 40 seconds
- Remains paler for a long time
Be careful about floating as axolotls rarely float and, yes, it can be because they are playing dead. However, if your water companion seems to be floating for too long, observe it more carefully.
It may not necessarily be dead but floating can be a sign of some health problems such as:
- Digestion problems
- Bacterial infection in the gut
- Bubbles in the gut
- Tank water that is too hot (25 degrees Celsius and above)
If an axolotl remains inactive for a while, for example, it is sleeping or resting, it may lose some of its colorations and appear paler. Once it is active again, the color comes back. In cases where it remains still for longer than usual and is too pale, this can also be a sign of death.
Do Axolotls Float For Fun?
Yes, every now and then axolotls do float for fun. This is a form of entertainment for them and something to occupy their time. While floating they may swallow air and are unable to come down for a while.
Floating, however, is not a common behavior for the Mexican walking fish. If it happens every now and then for short periods, that is fine.
If you observe your pet floating for longer than normal look out for:
- swallowed gravel
- digestive issues
- bacteria
- infections in the gut
Axolotls are not fish and they don’t swim or float naturally. Usually, they are firmly grounded and move along the water bottom with limbs.
Do Axolotls Float When Dead?
Yes, your axolotl may be floating because it is dead.
If you notice that your pet floats uncontrollably for a long period of time and does not show any sign of natural movement, then death is a possibility. It can also be upside down and its limbs spread in all directions.
Reasons for Axolotl Death
Here are some common reasons to look out for to prevent your axolotl from dying:
- Dirty tank and water
- Water that is too warm
- Gut problems
- Indigestion
- Gravel in the gut that stays there for too long
- Bacteria
- Skin infections
- Stress
- Non-cycled tank
- High ammonia levels
- Poor axolotl genetics
- Inadequate feeding
All these reasons for death are easily preventable if you look after your pet properly and provide healthy living conditions.
Conclusion
Axolotls do play dead. Playing dead is part of their natural behavior and you may observe it now and then.
Amongst the most common reasons for playing dead is for the axolotl to defend itself in cases such as:
- This is a defense mechanism
- The tank is suddenly jolted or lifted
- Its tank mates come into any physical contact with them
- The water in the tank is being changed
You know your axolotl is playing dead by:
- Curling up its body
- Floating in the water
- Staying still between 10 and 40 seconds
- Becoming paler
Axolotls do float for fun every now and then. This is a form of entertainment for them and something to occupy their time with. If an axolotl remains inactive for a while, for example, it is sleeping or resting; it may lose some of its colorations and appear paler. Once it is active again, the color comes back. In cases when it remains still for longer than usual and is too pale this can also be a sign of death.
Always remember that reasons for death are easily preventable if you look after your pet properly and provide healthy living conditions.
