Illness/Sickness: HELP! Sick axolotl not eating.

[21stewarte]

I’m concerned about my axolotl Toothless. He won’t eat. Ive tried five different kinds of food red worms, earthworms, blood worms, pellets, and clams. He will nip and nip and nip at the food but he won’t take anything in his mouth. He has gotten very skinny and his gills have shrunk. Water is at 65° with a very slow filter. Water changes happen once a week and the tank is 30 gallons. Has several rocks and caves and a plastic plant. No substrate on the bottom. Had him for a year. Lives with a tank mate and they both get along very well. Is a one and a half year old assumed male melanoid axolotl. Is still active. Im concerned because he wants to eat but won’t take anything in his mouth and is starting to look emaciated

 

[Hayleyy]

What are your water parameters?

 

[21stewarte]

I’m not sure what my parameters are. How would I find that out?

 

[Kingfisher]

You need to buy a water testing master kit, like API freshwater master testing kit. It can be bought at any pet store that sell tropical fish or online like Amazon.

 

[21stewarte]

Alright I’ll try that. I’m unsure the issue is with the parameters though, because I have another axolotl in the same tank who is completely healthy

 

[Hayleyy]

Some axolotls can react more severely than others with parameters, will wait for the results though. If you need to get a test kit shipped you can take a water sample to an aquarium store and usually they can test it for you in the meantime.

 

[21stewarte]

I’ll order one. Thanks for the help!