Hasn't ate in over a week: help?

[Neptune]

Last week I posted on here about my leucistic axolotl with the red bumps on his face. I came to the conclusion it was an injury from swimming into something, and since then his face has been getting better (I'll include before and after photos later in the post).

However, it's been just over a week now since he's ate. He's always been a bit less eager to take earthworms than my wild-type, however he'd always eat between 1-3 earthworms every couple of days or so (i.e. he'd always eat something).

I tested my water earlier, and these are the results (do bare in mind I've also changed the water today, and these results are prior to the water change):

pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 0.5 ppm or lower
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - around 40 ppm
Temperature - 23C (higher than normal; unusually warm weather in the UK)

There has been a build up of green algae in the tank recently which I haven't shifted yet. This is because I need a new siphon tube to collect the algae once I scrub it off, otherwise it'll simply swim in the water and grow on another surface, instead of getting rid of the algae completely.

I've been using the API Stress Coat+ water treatment because it contains aloe vera which should help his face as he recovers.

I regularly clean the tank of any faecal matter using a turkey baster. I also have marimo moss balls in the tank, although I plan on planting more live plants soon, such as anubias and java fern. First, however, I need to source a good LED light. I have a fluorescent light currently, but I don't use it because it produces extra heat, and as I only have moss balls at the moment, they're thriving just fine with the natural sunlight entering the living room (the tank faces the living room window, and is situated in an alcove).

The tank has a hood which naturally retains heat. I've nowhere to place the hood out of the way temporarily so that I could leave the tank open topped with a nylon netting, however I've left the lid slightly ajar to let some heat escape.

My other axolotl, a wild-type, has been eating fine. They both look a healthy weight.

So far I've believed he's not eaten due to stress, brought on by both the rise in temperature and the injury, however it's still causing me some worry. Any suggestions or advice would be a great help.

Thanks in advance.


P.S. Here is the before and after pictures of Audrey (an unfortunate name, but he was named as an egg by his previous owner!). The before picture is the image on the left, and the after image is on the right.

 

[Petersgirl]

Hey Neptune, happy to see Audrey looking a bit better!

My suggestion would be to try a new food that might tempt them. The ultimate in gourmet axolotl food is rumoured to be Blackworms

 

[Neptune]

Hey, thanks for the reply! :happy:

I was thinking of trying new food but I wasn't sure because I'd always heard that earthworms are usually the best food for them. Where would I get blackworms from in the UK? Currently I'm buying my earthworms from a local tackle shop. Perhaps there?

 

[Neptune]

Quick update: after about 2 weeks Audrey has finally eaten some earthworms. I fed him one this morning, and tried him again around 8pm and he took another. It's early days yet, but it's still an improvement. :happy:

 

[auntiejude]

When one of mine went off his food I could only tempt him with waxworms. Now back to normal - glad Audrey is doing OK too!

 

[Neptune]

Thanks. :happy:

The cut on his nostril has been the problem, I think. The skin is not quite flapping about, but it's still detached from where it should be on his face. I think that not only has it been stressing him out, but it could also have been a bit painful for him to try and eat.

I'm hoping the skin heals fully but I'm not optimistic as there's nothing really to keep the skin down on his face so that it could possibly reattach. As long as he gets better, though, I'm not too bothered if he ends up with a bit of a scar. :happy:

 

[Petersgirl]

Sorry for not replying to you Neptune! >.< That was so rude of me.

Blackworms are usually sold in pet or aquatic shops so I don't think a tackle shop would supply them. From what I remember, they're very small and often sold in packets like daphnia are, but don't quote me on that because I've never used them. I guess you won't need them now but I've heard owners say they're like cocaine to these little guys!

Happy that Audrey's plucked up an appetite! Here's to more vurms! :lick:

 

[Neptune]

Don't worry about the late reply. I wasn't mad, honest! Besides, I've took my time replying too, so we're even!

I checked the tackle shop the day after and they didn't have any, and I asked if a pet shop could see if they could get a hold of some, but they couldn't. It's alright though, Audrey has been fine without. It looks like things are on the up now. He had a couple of worms two days ago, and he's just had one today. I'll try and give him another later on today. I've been giving him one on a morning and one on an evening, because he's always been a bit of a slow eater and I doubt he'd take two in a row in such quick succession. :happy:

I think I'll cool it with the updates now until perhaps a week or two, and hopefully put this thread to bed. Cheers!

 

[Petersgirl]

As long as he eats, that's the main thing Hope the munching continues!