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Obese tiger salamander

sammiethes

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Hello.

Our previously very sick tiger salamander is now doing very well. However, he started becoming obese before he was returned to his aquarium. I guess this was due to a long period of inactivity before he was returned to the aquarium.

I have reduced feeding to twice a week from the previous three. He eats super worms, crickets, dubia roaches and another type of roach I am unable to identify. Two or three of each at a time. I've heard that the superworms are very fattening and have reduced feeding them to only once a week.

Curious to know what others would do. Would you reduce feeding to once a week or keep to twice a week but far less food in one sitting?

Many thanks.

S.
 

Mark

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Insect larvae will be high in fat and calories compared to other feeders so maybe avoid them during the diet period. Since we don’t know the exact calorific input/output you’ll just have to play it by ear by adjusting the feeding regime. Perhaps a set of digital kitchen scales and a weekly “weigh in“ will let you know if you’re heading in the right direction. An obese tiger salamander is probably one of the easier salamanders to weigh.
 

sammiethes

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Mark.

Many thanks for the reply.

I wish I could get earthworms but not so easy here. They do sell them from time to time but they don't last long. No opportunity to dig my own.

S.
 

Mark

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In addition to live foods my tiger salamanders eat non-live foods such as Repashy’s grub pie and Hikari’s cichlid pellets. The grub pie is a reduced fat soldier fly larvae gel pre-mix which on paper is nutritionally complete. The cichlid pellets need softening in water before feeding and are around 4% fat. Both can be offered on a skewer and being dry have years of shelf life. Handy if you’re struggling to get a full range of live foods.
 

markwn

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Are you sure it's obesity? not pregnancy?

I bought a car, I'm happy, these guys helped with a loan.
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sammiethes

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Definitely not pregnant. Alone for around 18 months.

I tried the Repashy Grub Pie as previously recommended by Mark. A bit tricky to feed as softer than expected but he really liked it.

S
 
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