Axolotl flipped onto back

[imzunicorn]

Hi, i'm new here. I've had my two axolotls for about 3 months. I usually feed them freeze dried shrimp. A couple days ago, I feed them both a rosy red minnow we had for over a month, so they were healthy fish. They ate them just fine and then I skipped a day of feeding. Yesterday, I was feeding them the shrimp like usual and noticed one flip over on his back and go back and the other floating, but his tail and limbs hanging in a weak like manner. They always float at the surface anyway, which I think is weird, but I've never seen them act like that. They ate just fine, but is there something wrong with them? I had also done a water change the day I fed them the fish, so its not the water.

 

[Jenste]

Sorry but you should not feed them feeder fish - they are nutritionally incomplete and minnows, such as rosy reds, have serrated edges to their fins which can rip your axolotls internal organs.

Even though you quarantined them for a month, the fish could still harbor disease.

The best diet for axolotls is worms...buy worms at a baitstore, do not use ones from outside due to risk of fertilizers and chemicals. You can also you bloodworms (live or frozen, never feed ANYTHING freezedried)

I would take both axolotl and begin fridging them immediately. Take a tupperware long enough for the axie to lie stretched out and fill with enough water to completely cover the axie. Remember to treat this water like you would when doing a water change.

 

[imzunicorn]

The breeder told me specifically to feed them rosy red minnows. He's raised axolotls for 30 years. Also, the worms creep me out, that's why I dont use them.

 

[Jenste]

Take a read around on here, or even do some research online - - You will find a lot of unsettling facts about feeder fish.

The worms may freak you out, but it is the best thing for your axolotl - his health should come first and you can just use tweezers or gloves for handling the worms. You only have to handle them for a few seconds - just to rinse the dirt off and then to put in the tank.

 

[imzunicorn]

Don't condescend me. First of all, I know a hell of a lot about fish, I have 5 fish tanks and the only disease that a fish can harbor that doesn't show signs and kill a fish in a month is tuberculosis. Which it still takes 6 weeks, and I do know it was more than a month I had those minnows. Secondly, rosy reds do not have serrated fins, feeder goldfish do. The only thing I've ever read about feeder fish is quarantine them for 6 weeks before using them as food. And I've registered for this message board 3 times since I've gotten the axolotls and every time my account was deleted, so I can't just read around here, cos I was locked out of every thread. Lastly, why are worms any better than anything else? Where's your proof? This is obviously an opinion that you have because, as far as I know, worms and shrimp are both made of meat, so...Especially when I've read about many people that feed them pellets. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with freeze dried food, besides I soak it first before feeding. I'm sure you're unaware that the only reason people say that freeze dried food is bad is because it causes bloating because it expands in the stomach. Not to mention I only feed them one of these at a time to help prevent this.

I just looked at them and they're both swimming around just fine, except the one that had flipped over is swimming a bit clumsy because he had eaten a bigger minnow. Instead of telling me all this stupid stuff that makes me think you're one of those people that think they know something but don't, you could've just told me they were bloated and to fast them for a few days or feed them a pea to cleanse their system.

 

[Linus]

Well, that was wildly unnecessary response to someone who was trying to provide you with helpful information as to why your axolotls are "on their backs" and "swimming clumsily."

I can't imagine why your accounts were deleted, and I'm sure during your tenuous stay here you've come across and reviewed the following documentation which confirms and explains why your feeder fish are a poor at best staple food choice; the point Jenste was trying to get across to you. It also breaks down the nutritional value of worms and other food choices, and other stupid stuff.

Caudata Culture Articles - Food Items for Captive Caudates
Caudata Culture Articles - Nutritional Values

 

[Kaysie]

So you were banned and then came back and made a new account? Chances are you'll be banned again.

 

[zoezakella]

Why waste kind members time asking a question if you are not prepared for the answer! We all do things wrong on here on occassions (we are only human) but that does not give you the right to be rude and if you are not prepared to take good and HELPFUL advice dont post on here in the first place!

 

[Sanne]

Hi, i'm new here. I've had my two axolotls for about 3 months. I usually feed them freeze dried shrimp. A couple days ago, I feed them both a rosy red minnow we had for over a month, so they were healthy fish. They ate them just fine and then I skipped a day of feeding. Yesterday, I was feeding them the shrimp like usual and noticed one flip over on his back and go back and the other floating, but his tail and limbs hanging in a weak like manner. They always float at the surface anyway, which I think is weird, but I've never seen them act like that. They ate just fine, but is there something wrong with them? I had also done a water change the day I fed them the fish, so its not the water.

Did he just lay at his back? When raised, tilted to one side again?
I got that problem with one of mine at the moment. This started monday afternoon.

 

[GazerOfStars]

You could likely feed an Axolotl a variety of feeder species, but at the cost of its health and longevity. The general consensus is that earthworms are the most nutritionally balanced food for an axolotl.

Since your not a fan of worms, I believe several brands of pellets can provide just as many recommended nutrients for an Axie. I have little experience in this so I'll let someone else direct you into what kind of pellets you might want to look into.

The bottom-line is even if your absolutely certain the feeder fish is safe for an axolotl to consume, it may still be nutrient deficient in some area. Here's a small blip about the cons of feeder fish from the Caudata culture article on the subject:

Feeder fish cons:
Some varieties deficient in thiamine
Some have poor fatty acid profile (e.g., goldfish)
May lead to obesity
Possible disease vector
Not for smaller or terrestrial caudates
Too fast-moving for many caudates to catch

Raw fish/shrimp cons
Not accepted by some caudates
Not a "natural" food for some caudates
Some varieties lack calcium and vitamins
Some varieties have a high salt content

For the best food options consult the link below.

Source: Caudata Culture Articles - Food Items for Captive Caudates