Axie not feeding and sulky

[bronwyn]

Axie not eaten for about 2 weeks (he's 18 months old) not interested in anything used to come and greet me to be hand fed but stays in corner of tank just moving to different corners.I have has him since September. Water check 18degC PH 6 Ammonia less than 0.25 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 10 (just taken tonight) 50% water changes every weekend declorinated water aged for a week.
No sign of any white patches or red ones gills as should be just not himself.

 

[auntiejude]

How often are you offering food? And did anything change 2 weeks ago right before he went off his food? He doesn't look dangerously skinny so I don't think there's any need to worry too much just yet.

My male goes through phases of not eating, then he'll get a real hunger on. Maybe it's a spring breeding thing.

Try tempting him with his favourite foods, try feeding at different times, try blanched worms. Sliced scallops seem to be a favourite for many people with picky axies (although I feel they are a little extravagant!)

You could also try moving things around in his tank, maybe the change will interest him.

 

[Boomsloth]

a pH of 6 is a little lower than what is recommended. From axolotl.org,
" For axolotls, a pH of 6.5 to around 8.0 is acceptable, but 7.4 to 7.6 is probably ideal. pH can affect the toxicity of ammonia and this is discussed below."

Is there anyway you can increase your pH slightly?

 

[bronwyn]

Thanks for your replies.
Went to feed him as normal two weeks ago with a clean worm, I don't blanch them because he prefers them alive. He wouldn't take it and flew round the tank a few times then went into the corner. I have tried feeding at different times without any luck. I have ordered a ph adjusting kit so I should be able to sort that out. Will try him on a bit of scallop tomorrow

 

[Boomsloth]

Thanks for your replies.
Went to feed him as normal two weeks ago with a clean worm, I don't blanch them because he prefers them alive. He wouldn't take it and flew round the tank a few times then went into the corner. I have tried feeding at different times without any luck. I have ordered a ph adjusting kit so I should be able to sort that out. Will try him on a bit of scallop tomorrow

I've been reading from many aquarium hobbyist sites that those pH kits are generally not effective at keeping a stable pH and I don't even know how they will effect axolotls.

This site might help your understanding.
Water Hardness and pH in the Freshwater Aquarium

look where they talk about naturally raising pH through increasing water hardness.

 

[Petersgirl]

I found out how to raise PH by accident >.< I bought Coral Sand from a store and was told a few days later that I wasn't recommended as a substrate because it raises the PH. Bingo!
Don't worry - you don't need to put the sand down as substrate. You can wrap it in a clean piece of tight/a pop sock and wrap it securely so it doesn't leak sand everywhere. You can also lay it on the floor of the tank. Your axolotl will probably stand on it and use it as a makeshift piece of flooring, knowing these guys.