Bloated?

[matt]

I'm not sure if or why my axie is bloated. Here are some recent pictures of him:

I've only been feeding him twice a day. But I noticed that he seemed to be getting fat so I didn't feed him for a day.

So I'm wondering two things. 1) Could it have to do with the temperature and metabolism? Like how it speeds up under hotter water. I've kept it at 64 degrees Fahrenheit pretty consistantly but I'm considering bumping it up to around 68 for awhile.

2) Maybe he's just growing? His stomach will look huge then the rest of the body will grow? He is just about 10cm from head to tail.

(Message edited by eternalpum on December 31, 2006)

 

[jacob]

How old is the axolotl?
You may only need to give it food three or four times a week.

 

[matt]

I'm not sure how old it is because I ordered it online. I'm pretty sure it's young - like 3 months or so.

Someone on the forum gave me this information:
"Feeding depends on his age and/or size. If he is under 10cm - feed twice a day
up to 15cm once a day
15-20cm once every 2 days
over 20cm once every 3/4 days (will vary according to appetite but can sometimes do without food for a week or so)"

Because I want him to be strong and grow at a reasonable pace I've been feeding him twice a day.

 

[natashja]

does he float or seem lifeless ???
and is he paler than normal
on another note i would change the stones to sand, as he gets bigger he will be abel to swallow those stones. and that may kill him.
also do you know if he was bred on gravel, if so he may just be blocked up.

the pictures are to small to say anything, could you uploade a bigger one ?

(Message edited by tashja2000 on December 31, 2006)

 

[matt]

I've concluded that I'm just getting paranoid Everyday he usually swims around the top of the tank for at least 2 hours.

Yesterday he didn't show any sign of activity and just sat at the bottom for the entire day. I saw him try to swim to the top but it looked like he was struggling and didn't make it.

Today he's back at the top swimming around like crazy and following everyone that comes in the room. I guess that's a sign that he's better! I'll still wait 3-4 days before I feed him again though. And nope, he has the same color.

Are you sure about the stones? I read somewhere that stones that are heavy enough that he won't suck em up.

 

[karrie]

I think I have the same stones as you. My guy is about 9 inches long. I just have a few in the sand for looks. No problems. Did you get them at Walmart? The thing I would worry about is that it is going to hard to clean under and arround them. How long have you had him? Where did you get him, how much was your shipping is you dont mind me asking? I'am looking for another and having a hard time of it.

 

[natashja]

hey mat
im so glad to hear that he is getting better
and yes im sure about the stones
you will be suprised at what they are abel to swallow.
the first axies i had once passed a 1` by 2` stone

 

[matt]

I got them at Petsmart. I used to work there so I got a discount. I've had him for 3 weeks now. I got him from Niles Biological Inc. in Sacramento. Even though I live in California the shipping was still $14.00. Not too bad I guess. Good luck!