Sudden dislike for worms..

Aimzs Lotties · Jul 25, 2011

I hand feed my adult axies 1-2 worms each 3 times a week... the last few feeds Pitch has refused to eat his worm but when offered a beef heart cube, eats it instantly.. Does anyone know why this may be?

Thanks.

Azhael · Jul 25, 2011

Provided that the worms are the same species as always, it could just be "one of those things". It´s pretty common for many caudate species to suddenly refuse certain food types for a period of time. It almost feels like they get tired of them. It doesn´t last long, generally speaking. Be patient and they should be accepted again soon.
You shouldn´t be feeding them beef heart, it´s a most unnatural food for them which they can´t digest properly. I know it´s handy but it´s a pretty poor food choice.

ZoeT94 · Jul 25, 2011

What type of worm do you feed? Some worms excrete a fluid which tastes horrible and puts them off worms. This happened to me, with Pinky, but after a while she ate them again. Try leaving them on the floor of the tank, alive, for the axie to catch herself, then she'll be able to eat it without causing the excretion of fluid.

Hope it helps!

Aimzs Lotties · Jul 29, 2011

I use standard earthworms, same as always and it's never been a problem until now.

I know beef heart is a bad food, but I had some left in the freezer from before I used earthworms (and as emergency IF the worms run out). I can't think of any better temporary food if he wont take earthworms.. Blood worms and frozen Brine shrimp are too small and messy.. Any ideas?

carsona246 · Jul 29, 2011

One of mine does this from time to time. I found if I cut the worm in half he usually will eat at least half a worm when he's being picky, and if not he always eats after he misses a few feedings.

Aimzs Lotties · Jul 29, 2011

carsona246 said:
One of mine does this from time to time. I found if I cut the worm in half he usually will eat at least half a worm when he's being picky, and if not he always eats after he misses a few feedings.

So do you think if I just keep offering him the worms (cut in half this time), and dont offer beef heart, he's eventually eat it??

mewsie · Jul 29, 2011

You could try using a feeding jar on its side with bloodworm in. Although when i tried that they just kicked out all the bloodworm and slept in the jar.

Aimzs Lotties · Jul 30, 2011

I actually think I have some blood worm lying about, or is it brine shrimp.. Would either be okay?

I tried earthworms again today but he didn't even look at them.. Cheeky pitch-a-lotl.. Didn't offer him the heart though.. I'll try the bloodworms in jar tomorrow, thanks for the suggestion!

Now... to find a jar...

Miss · Jul 30, 2011

whats the temp of your tank ??? mine have slowed down eating due to colder water since it is winter. they haven't gone totally off their food but wont eat worms either and if they do it isn't when i am looking. (don't actually know if they are getting eaten and it is a planted / driftwood bare bottom tank, and they worms COULD be in amongst the big balls of plants for all i know)

Aimzs Lotties · Aug 1, 2011

Miss said:
whats the temp of your tank ??? mine have slowed down eating due to colder water since it is winter. they haven't gone totally off their food but wont eat worms either and if they do it isn't when i am looking. (don't actually know if they are getting eaten and it is a planted / driftwood bare bottom tank, and they worms COULD be in amongst the big balls of plants for all i know)

I hand feed and remove if not eaten so I know exactly what each axie eats and when. Pitch actually ate a worm this afternoon. I've been trying 3 times a week (feeding days) and he hasn't eaten one in about 2 weeks. He did eat a few heart cubes, but of these guys reccomendations I stopped them earlier in the week and looks like he's finally decided to get back to worms yay!

My tank temp is 18 at the moment and rarely differs from that. I'm not sure how this tank will do in summer (it is a low one) as I just got it, but I plan on getting a chiller as I'm going on exchange for uni in december/jan and figure thats one less thing for my boyfriend/ petsitter to stress about.

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Sudden dislike for worms..

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