Axolotl very small

[Ax0706]

Hi everyone! First time poster. We got our axolotl in the summer of 2018. Since then, he's really not grown very much (we think he's a he!). He seems healthy and happy, but we can't understand why he's still so small. Any ideas? I just discovered from this group that the food he is eating isn't ideal (bloodworms) so we'll change that ASAP. I'm including a pic from 2018 and one from today. Thanks for any insight.

 

[obllori]

I'm no expert but he looks to be very unwell to me

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Hi everyone! First time poster. We got our axolotl in the summer of 2018. Since then, he's really not grown very much (we think he's a he!). He seems healthy and happy, but we can't understand why he's still so small. Any ideas? I just discovered from this group that the food he is eating isn't ideal (bloodworms) so we'll change that ASAP. I'm including a pic from 2018 and one from today. Thanks for any insight.

He is extremely malnourished. Bloodworms, while not the best food source, would not cause that level of emaciation. How often and how much are you feeding him?

 

[Ax0706]

Oh no, this is terrible to hear. We feed him as per the pet store's guidelines which was 1/2 cube per day.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Oh no, this is terrible to hear. We feed him as per the pet store's guidelines which was 1/2 cube per day.

I cant say it enough, the amount of completely horrid information given by pet stores regarding axolotls just boggles my mind. That is nowhere near enough even for an axolotl half his size. If you can get him to eat earthworms, that is your best food source. You may have to cut them into smaller pieces for now until he gets used to it. European nightcrawlers are the most nutritional balanced, but red wigglers are also fine. Repashy grub pie is a good treat and tends to be a little higher in fat.

 

[Ax0706]

I cant say it enough, the amount of completely horrid information given by pet stores regarding axolotls just boggles my mind. That is nowhere near enough even for an axolotl half his size. If you can get him to eat earthworms, that is your best food source. You may have to cut them into smaller pieces for now until he gets used to it. European nightcrawlers are the most nutritional balanced, but red wigglers are also fine. Repashy grub pie is a good treat and tends to be a little higher in fat.

This is truly so disappointing. I'm on mission "make my axolotl fat now!" We're committed to bringing him back to health. I really appreciate your input and guidance. Thank you.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

This is truly so disappointing. I'm on mission "make my axolotl fat now!" We're committed to bringing him back to health. I really appreciate your input and guidance. Thank you.

You are welcome. Please feel free to reach out to me via direct message as well if you ever have any other questions or concerns. Id love to get updates on how he is doing.

 

[Ax0706]

You are welcome. Please feel free to reach out to me via direct message as well if you ever have any other questions or concerns. Id love to get updates on how he is doing.

Great, I will!