Axolotl recovered from illness but not eating (much)

[ChrisButts]

Hi, my Axolotl Toothless has been through quite a lot in his short life. He is kept in my classroom at school (I'm a biology teacher.) I inherited him from a colleague when he decided to nibble his former tank mates gills. He was doing well for a few months, but then stopped eating and started to develop what looked very much like a fungal infection on one of his gill stalks. I think this was because of not being able to control the temperature very easily in the tank. After a reading the brilliant advice on this forum I took him home, fridged him and treated him with salt baths for a few weeks. The fungus went and he looked generally healthier. I have also moved the tank to an area where temperature is much easier controlled, started the cycle again in the tank, bringing large rocks from our home established fish tank to introduce useful bacteria. Then after a few weeks put Toothless back in.

He had been getting fed blood worms and prawns, but decided to move to live earthworms (after reading these forums) from my garden so knew there would be no pesticides on them. After a couple of weeks he has only eaten a couple of relatively small ones, the last one 5 days ago and he quite often swims away when try to get him to eat (he has always been quite contrary.) His tanks water quality is good (ammonia 0, ph 7, nitrite 0 and nitrate about 2.5, temperature 15 - 16 degrees C and keeping a close eye on it.) His behaviour is normal and he looks healthy, but I am worried about the wee man and his lack of appetite. If anyone can give me some advice if this is normal or any other suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[keiko]

How big is he? Some people only feed their adults once a week or so (bigger portions then ofcourse), as long as the head and belly are about the same width it's all good.
What kind of worms are you feeding him? Many axies dislike Eisenia fetida because of the foul liquid they excrete. You could try blanching the worms first - dip them in boiling water and then immediately in cold water to stop them from cooking.

 

[ChrisButts]

Thanks for quick reply, he is about 22 cm long and his middle is roughly as wide as his head. The earthworms he is being fed are Aporrectodea caliginosa (grey earthworm) or Octolasion cyaneum (blue-grey worm). Will try the boiling and cool water trick.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[ChrisButts]

Re: Axolotl recovered from illness but not eating (much) update

Unfortunately Toothless still not keen on eating and now seems to have buoyancy issues, as he is floating near top of tank most of time. Anyone got any ideas as starting to get really quite concerned and would rather not have to go through fridge and salt bath routine again.