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Different growth rates.

tomkeogh

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Hello, I have had my two axolotl for over 3 weeks now.

When I first got them they were both about 4.5 inches long and roughly the same size, my albino was slightly slimmer but only on very close inspection.

The albino is very reclusive and prefers to hide than play and I had trouble with her feeding at first he/she has settled down now and they eat the same amount usually 10 or so long life blood worms or 7 or so meal worms every day.(earthworms are too thick for them to swallow right now)

So, they both eat the same amount but the albino is now noticeably 'fatter' then the laucistic, her body is the same width as her head so it is more a case of the laucistic being under weight then her being over weight.

Are different growth rates normal, I am certain the laucistic is healthy and eats enough, I know this because after he is fed he takes a big poo. I resist the urge to feed the albino more as she clearly wants because I want him to catch up to her.

Should I be worried?
 

tomkeogh

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Great, he is more aggressive then the albino so I'm not too worried about her attacking him, I do wish he fattened up a bit though is a little slim, swims around like a maniac though dont know if they burn off weight more doing this.
 

melfly

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Do keep trying with earthworms though Tom.
I have been finding small ones in my garden about 2 inches long and really thin. i chopped one of these up for my lil dwarfy who is about 4 inches big and he ate both pieces.

Mel
 

tomkeogh

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believe it or not there is no dirt in my garden, I have to buy the earthworms, I dont really want to start digging up the play park next door! ill try to find a different seller as I think the ones I bought may be the 'red' kind. the length of the worm is not a problem they have taken bloodworm and meal worm over a inch long like I say think it is width can only find one shop that sells aswell

I just noticed a piece of gravel in the tank, taken over two weeks to pass!
 
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melfly

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Hi Tom

You may find gravel for a few more weeks yet lol.
It could be the choice of worm, have you thought of setting up your own wormery?

Also I think he will catch her up at some point and they will probably be similar size.

Mel
 

KINGOFTHEMODS

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i have to buy worms too, i dont go pet shops for them i get them from fishing tackle shops because they sell all different sizes and types
.
 

tomkeogh

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Success they have had two earthworms each, have set up a very small wormary with half a kilo of worms so hopefully they last a while
 
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