Question: Axolotl not eating/throwing up food?

[hunterwho]

Hey everyone!
I have a 4-5 month old axolotl at home who's refusing to eat. I'm feeding him "trout worms" (I think they're red wigglers, from the local bait shop), and he seems eager to eat them, but he just throws them up after he's eaten them. Do I need to cut them smaller, so he can get them into his stomach? He's getting really thin, and he hasn't eaten properly in a day or so
Thanks, Hunter

 

[Chinadog]

I think it's the food that's the problem. Trout worms contain a foul tasting liquid in their bodies that they can secrete if distressed, some Axolotls will eat them, but many others will as you say, will either spit them out right away or throw them up later. If I were you I'd try Nightcrawlers, either small ones or larger ones cut into small pieces. Almost all Axolotls find these irresistible!

 

[hunterwho]

Thanks, I’ll try to find some nightcrawlers around here. I hope he feels better!

 

[hunterwho]

Hey, quick update: we got him some nightcrawlers and frozen bloodworms from the local pet shop. Thawed the bloodworms and cut up the nightcrawlers, and the result was the same for both- he sucked them in, and then spit them right back out after a few bites.
Any ideas as to why he just won't keep food down?