Axolotl won't eat, very slow movement

[NickA]

Hi everyone, my Axolotl hasn't eaten anything in about a week and I'm not sure what to do. He's also been slowing down in movement substantially and becoming thin.

I dangled some earth worms right in-front of his face and he didn't even acknowledge it. Out of curiously I put blood worms in the tank and still nothing. SO I bought about 20 feeder fish and the Axolotl hasn't moved since I put them in! The other two in the tank however had a field day and loved chasing the fish around the tank.

I do 30% or so water changes regularly and I have a pretty expensive canister filter as well so I don't think water quality is the issue.

I'm not really sure what to do and I want to take action before it's to late so hopefully someone here can help. Thank you in advance!

Here's a pic of him yesterday in an attempt to feed another earth worm, you can see he's getting thin and has forward gills:

 

[Kaini]

Have you actually tested the water? Was the tank cycled? Water quality could very well be the issue, despite the expensive filter. Also, TWENTY feeder fish? Good grief, why? You should never put fish in with your axolotl (especially that many?) The fish will nibble the axolotl's gills and cause it harm.

Plus, the fish foul up the water too. Especially if you mean feeder goldfish - commons or comets - they're THE messiest fish I can think of. o.@

Test your water parameters. Ammonia and nitrite should be Zero.

And remove the fish, right now.

 

[NickA]

I have not tested the water but I guess that's my next step (I'd have to go by a tester kit). And yes, the tank has been running fine for almost 2 years now until this. I have 3 full-grown Axolotls in the tank, they usually finish all 20 of the small fish in just a few days. I almost never use feeder fish though, only because I wanted to see if the sick Axolotl would eat any since he refused the blood and earth worms.

Is it possible that one Axolotl could be affected by ammonia or nitrite and not the others?

 

[Kaini]

'Just a few days'? You really should not leave fish in there with them that long, like I said the fish can be harmful to the Axolotls. I would personally not feed them fish at all (But I'm also a fishkeeper so I have to admit I'm a little aghast at feeding the fish I call pets (I have two comet goldfish) So I'm biased - take what I say with a grain of salt)

Those kind of goldfish are actually pond fish and grow to be over a foot long if taken care of, and let me tell you they are MESSY. Messy messy messy fish. So even just adding them for a day or whatever could really throw your cycle off just because they create SO MUCH waste.

But anyway, yes testing your water should definitely be the next step. I'm not sure if one could be affected and not the rest, but it's definitely the next thing to check out before we start looking for other causes.

 

[HayleyK]

What's the temperature in the tank?

Do you hand feed all of them, do they eat off the ground/food jar etc?

Do you feed him other things besides earthworms?

Has he pooped recently?

Are you sure he is a he not a her? She could be reabsorbing eggs if he is a she

Sometimes axolotls can go off their food if it's too hot, they're stressed about something, water quality or females do when they reabsorbing eggs. Adults can go a week or two without feeding, and your one sill looks pretty plump to me. Just persist, and try other foods.

 

[NickA]

What's the temperature in the tank?

Do you hand feed all of them, do they eat off the ground/food jar etc?

Do you feed him other things besides earthworms?

Has he pooped recently?

Are you sure he is a he not a her? She could be reabsorbing eggs if he is a she

Temp is ~69. I usually hand feed them all so I know they ate, I guess you can say they're spoiled . I feed them mostly earth worms with occasional blood worms. I don't believe he has pooped recently, although I could be wrong. And I'm not 100% sure it's a he, but from what I've researched online, it's most likely a he.

 

[HayleyK]

Temp is ~69. I usually hand feed them all so I know they ate, I guess you can say they're spoiled . I feed them mostly earth worms with occasional blood worms. I don't believe he has pooped recently, although I could be wrong. And I'm not 100% sure it's a he, but from what I've researched online, it's most likely a he.

69 is about 20 degrees Celsius yes? Although it's not too high, I would try lowering it as I noticed my leucistic would be very touchy with heat, and always hung around my ice bottles or fan.

Hand feeding is the way to go I would stick to earthworms if they're all adults, bloodworms are too messy and they may be picking them up off the ground and swallowing sand which, if swallowed a lot can cause impaction. It may be a resin why this ones not eating.

I would separate him, so I can monitor eating and pooping. If you don't see him poop in a few days I would fridge him, to see if it helps pass whatever is blocking him up. Fridging will also slow down his metabolism so he might not eat in there, but in turn won't lose as much weight.

 

[NickA]

69 is about 20 degrees Celsius yes? Although it's not too high, I would try lowering it as I noticed my leucistic would be very touchy with heat, and always hung around my ice bottles or fan.

Hand feeding is the way to go I would stick to earthworms if they're all adults, bloodworms are too messy and they may be picking them up off the ground and swallowing sand which, if swallowed a lot can cause impaction. It may be a resin why this ones not eating.

I would separate him, so I can monitor eating and pooping. If you don't see him poop in a few days I would fridge him, to see if it helps pass whatever is blocking him up. Fridging will also slow down his metabolism so he might not eat in there, but in turn won't lose as much weight.

I apologize, I forgot most people use Celsius, but yes it's around ~20 Celsius. And thank you both for the tips, I'll report back as soon as any progress or changes occur!

 

[HayleyK]

I apologize, I forgot most people use Celsius, but yes it's around ~20 Celsius. And thank you both for the tips, I'll report back as soon as any progress or changes occur!

Reason* sorry I'm on my phone. Check out the fridging guide and keep us updated with your little dude

 

[Petersgirl]

Just to add; male axolotls, when they begin to mature, often take on a slimmer profile. Males have also been known to fast before releasing spermaphores. As an axolotl matures, it also tends to be a lot more relaxed and will probably be much less active than when it was a juvenile. He still looks plump and healthy, just maybe he's becoming an adult and is taking on his adult size and shape.

I am also not wholly convinced that gills curling forwards always equals stress. Some axolotls' gills just curl forward, I think. But if he is not eating because he's ingested sand (look for his bottom floating consistently) then fridging may be an option too.

But it may just be that your boy is becoming a man He also looks a nice size to me.

 

[EmbryH]

'Just a few days'? You really should not leave fish in there with them that long, like I said the fish can be harmful to the Axolotls.

As long as the fish are small (I personally will use minnows or guppies over comets any day) then it's alright to leave them in there a few days, especially with 3 adult axolotls to pick at them. Larger fish in larger numbers will give you problems, and you should still be watchful, but for the most part there isn't too much risk about nipping.

I've personally never had any nip, but I still keep an eye on things and make sure no one gets too bold. The trick is to get the small fish that are too scared of the giant axolotl death monster.

The bigger risk with fish is that they can carry parasites, so make sure you're only using healthy fish. It's best to quarantine them for a little while before adding them to the tank, just to be on the safe side.

I know my axies enjoy hunting them, and feeder fish can actually be good in a pinch, like if you have to leave town for a few days. Self-feeding food!

 

[Kaini]

As long as the fish are small (I personally will use minnows or guppies over comets any day) then it's alright to leave them in there a few days, especially with 3 adult axolotls to pick at them. Larger fish in larger numbers will give you problems, and you should still be watchful, but for the most part there isn't too much risk about nipping.

Indeed, smaller fish are much more suitable! I just wasn't sure what OP meant by 'feeder fish'
Generally that means feeder goldfish, but yes you're quite correct. And good point on the quarantine, I'd forgotten about that. Again, I certainly don't feed my Axolotl fish lD