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Question: Threw up/Spit out Earthworms Normal?

Swampie

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I was told that I should switch my Axies over to earthworms after discussing their size. They have previously been on "bloodworm" cubes.

I purchased some Red Wigglers from PetSmart. They're small, about 4 inches long and very skinny. I cut them into 1/3 and fed my 2 axolotls from feeding tongs. They were VERY receptive and ate them right away.

I was not sure of how many to feed them, I had been feeding 3-5 small bloodworm cubes daily. I thought 3 would be a good start. They ate every bite.

Well, 5 minutes later, someone had spit theirs back out on the floor of the tank. I wasn't sure who, and I wasn't sure if it was just them spitting them out or vomiting them up. I took my turkey baster and sucked them out of the tank, not being sure of what the situation was.

So my 2 questions are:
1.) Was this too much food?

2.) Did they throw them up, or just spit them out. Remember it was about 5 min after I fed them.
 

ladygodiva35

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Mine do the same thing sometimes. Even when I cut them into bite size pieces. Mine seem to only like the red wigglers every other day. They refuse to eat it daily.
 

auntiejude

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First of all you need to understand that axie physiology is not the same as ours - they do not puke in the way that you might imagine for a human. They can regurgitate food if they eat too much, sometimes days later, and they may reject unusual food after swallowing it.

When switching from one food to another you can expect some kind of reaction - this is normal. Try again tomorrow. It's not about the size, shape or taste of the food - it's just that it's not what they are used too.
It could be they are reacting to the whole 'live wriggly food' feeling in their bellies. The other thing to consider is that red wrigglers (dendrobaena) can excrete a defensive bitter slime when something tries to eat them. You axies may not like this at first, but they will get used to it. You can try blanching the worms and see if your axies prefer them dead to start with - no slime and no wriggling, but they'll get used to the taste.
 

Swampie

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Thank you for the replies! That is very comforting to know that this is common. I've skipped a day to let them rest, and am going to give it another go tonight. We shall see.
 

Swampie

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Okay, Swamp Thang ate it's worm.

Pinky bit it, was scared of it, tried to eat it and fought it and I'm pretty sure has given up trying. lol

Going tomorrow to pick up bloodworms.... :-/
 

layna

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If you buy it more bloodworms it will continue to refuse the earthworm.
Try blanching the worm by pouring some boiling water over it, then immediately adding cold, so you kill the worm but dont cook it!
Then try offering it to your axie, when your axie is hungry enough it WILL eat the earthworms :D
 
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