Help! Adult axolotl won't eat

[celticcrow77]

My 3 year old axolotl Motley started acting odd a few weeks ago- he'd hide all day behind his plants at the back of his tank and not come out, where he would normally hang out up front and swim back and forth, watching us as we walk by. I checked his water and the tank cycle had crashed somehow and there was an ammonia spike, so I did a major water change. That was a little under a week ago.

He's come out from hiding and is being more active, but he's flicking his gills a lot and still won't eat. He probably hasn't eaten in two weeks. He had one episode of sort of hiccuping, based on some descriptions on here- gulping water. I normally feed him earthworms by dangling them in front of his face and he snatches them right up. Now he shakes his head and backs away, like he's scared or angry. Sometimes he bites them as if to say "get away from me," not in a way he wants to eat them.

I try not to push him into eating and only try once or twice a day, but he keeps refusing. Any help would be MUCH appreciated, I'm very worried about him...

 

[keiko]

Adult axies can survive quite a while without food. He's probably just stressed from the ammonia. Keep the water cool and clean and make sure he's comfortable. As long as there isn't anything visibly wrong with him (like fungus etc.) I wouldn't worry too much. Give him some more time and keep offering food.

 

[celticcrow77]

Thank you, Keiko. I'll keep trying. I'm just so worried, he's so unlike himself...

 

[celticcrow77]

Motley still won't eat, and now he's kicking his back legs out behind him and not using them to crawl around, like he has a belly ache or is constipated. It's maybe been two and a half weeks since eating, maybe more...

 

[axys]

in my short time of taking care of axolotls i have come to realize that not all of their behaviors have a reason and they can just be silly. the gill itching on the other than might be from the high levels of ammonia because i have heard that high levels can sort of burn their gills

try to make eating as easy as possible and by tht this would be my suggestion. Sometimes my axies dont like to eat when im around so i chop the earthworm pieces real small, like one earthworm into 4 pieces, then put it in a little plate or food dish and put the food dish in the middle of ur tank somewhere. mine always eat when im not around, give it couple hours. if she doesnt eat remove them so it doesnt spoil the water too much.

if it doesnt work the first time maybe wait a day or so and try again. if it doesnt work again i personally would get a little worried. people on this site are very informative and helpful so someone might know what is exactly wrong with your axie. if not maybe a trip to an exotic vet or at least a phone call might be a good idea.

most vets dont charge for phone call questions so thats where i would start, if he thinks its necessary to come and see him on an appointment then u should probably do that.

vet trips can be expansive so be prepared. also depending on where u live trying to find the proper exotic vet might take a while so i suggest u start searching for one now. even if he eats its always good to know the right vet in case of emergencies.

 

[keiko]

Motley still won't eat, and now he's kicking his back legs out behind him and not using them to crawl around, like he has a belly ache or is constipated. It's maybe been two and a half weeks since eating, maybe more...

Have you been testing the water parameters? What are they?
I've heard a couple times axies not using their back legs due to ammonia poisoning. It could also be impaction or constipation related. Is there anything in the tank that he could have swallowed?

 

[celticcrow77]

I'll go retest his parameters once I'm out of work today. But I can't find anything he could have eaten and he's not known for getting into things he shouldn't. He's on sand and I've never seen him chow down on it. He has fake plants and some HUGE rocks here and there, but I don't see any leaves or plants missing...