Question: Swallowed stone.. :(

I've had my axolotl for quite some time now... and I've gone from about three types of gravel, and after being advised not to use gravel, I switched to larger pebbles to avoid him swallowing the gravel.

Turns out they weren't big enough and he'll eat anything that moves, so now I look at him with a giant bulge in his belly, I don't know what to do...

Will he pass that huge thing? Should I take him to an exotic pet specialist to get it removed? He still eats and is perfectly healthy otherwise. I'm thinking of getting more axolotls so sand seems like the way to go.

Any answers will be appreciated. Thanks.

Try putting him in the fridge to help him pass it. It could take a little while though.

I wouldn't recommend fridging unless your axie seems bloated or floats. Changing your substrate to sand or going with a bare bottom is a good start, you will see gravel appear and will need to remove it.
If you are going to fridge you will need to put your axolotl in a container big enough for him to turn around, if he is floating than put just enough water to cover him so that his feet touch the bottom. Use dechlorinated water and put some extra (in jugs) in the fridge since you will need to do daily water changes. The temperature in your fridge should be no colder than 5º C.
You say you want more axolotls, when buying new axies try to get them the same size as your current one, you will need to quarantine them for at least 30 days to make sure you are not introducing any diseases.
I hope this helps,
Eve

He isn't actually floating. As I said, perfectly healthy, but I can't imagine that stone would be comfortable at all, and it looks as if he could actually bring it back up - passing something that big almost seems impossible? - because it moves up/down as he positions himself differently.

I'm guessing just let him do what he wants with it, and in the meantime, find some sand?

Thank you for the replies.