What Is Our Axololt Up Too...

R

ross

Guest
Over the last week or so, our axolotl has been acting differently.

We have had him two months now but in the last week he has been floating around the top of the tank alot rather than at the bottom of the tank where he lurked before.

Also, we normally hand feed him but in the last week he has been going for our fingers rather than the food - its never been an issue before. He has also been snapping at the plants in his tank. Do we need to feed him more than 3 times a week?

With it being the summer, its hard to keep his water temperature down - its been averaging 21c with us doing regular water changes and having frozen ice bottles in his tank.

Any idea on the behaviour?

Cheers
 
Axolotls have poor eyesight. They'll snap at anything that moves. Last night mine battled a plastic plant for 2 or 3 minutes before he realized he couldn't eat it.

As adults, about 2 inches of worm 3 times a week is adequate.

The floating sounds like heat. Or he's in need of a good poo. When's the last time it pooed? Is there any new stressors in the tank, such as a new filter? Is there any current at all?
 
Just now, we are feeding him a 1cm cube of bloodworm, 3 times a week. He is about 3-4 inches long.

Last time he pooed must have been 3-4 days ago. Nothing new is his tank. He likes swimming about aswell now - another of his new habits. Small current from the filter but nothing very forceful.

HELP lol

Cheers!
 
At that size, I'd feed him a little more often. He's a growing axie!

Also, as juveniles, they tend to be pretty active. Is the floating all over, or is it just his rear end that's floating? Has it had any change in appearance, like getting fatter or thinner?
 
He is floating all over - was sitting on top on the filter when I went in earlier...

He isnt getting any fatter or thinner. We have had him two months and he doesnt seem to have grown much!
 
Ross, ours at that size were fed once a day, then once they got to 15cm/6inches they were fed every two days. Cud also be why they haven't grown as much in 2mths.
 
We just dont want to overfeed him, you know?

We are currently feeding him frozen cubed bloodworm - do you reckon one a day is too much? Or is it a case of if he eats it then yeah, its fine?

(Message edited by rosstxttpo on August 01, 2006)
 
Once a day is fine at that size! We fed ours a baby earthworm/ or chopped up earthworm once each evening, since they are most active then. Ours are now 10mths old and range from 23-26cm and are fed once every 3 days.
 
i feed my axie once a week or less, i think u've feed him too often. Hungry is actually won't cause any health problem. Btw, Your axie haven't grow much in size must not because of lack of food. It is probably because the environment is not suitable for him. Floating on top seems like a bad single, hot climate can only make him act actively (e.g. keep moving) . To relief, you shouldn't change water too often (and remember never change more than 1/3 everytime), if the temperature is too high, u can put some ice in the tank instead.
 
Best not to use ice, as that can cause fluctuating temps. which can stress the axie, best bet if you don't have a chiller is frozen ice bottles (with dechlorinated water in case bottle bursts) rotated, which is what ur already doing anyway and fan blowing across top of the tank water surface, if you can. I don't think you are overfeeding your axie either.
 
They say axies rarely overfeed. My axie is gluttonous, he'd eat as much as he wants to but I don't give him to much.

I fan my tank too but I changed to a large cubic tank which kept the temp down, how large is your tank?
 
Vanessa, who said axolotls rarely overfeed? Axolotls are opportunistic eaters and will eat whenever food is present. They will eat until the point of vomiting up food.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top