Hunger strike!

[Luca1980]

Hi everyone, one of my axies has been on a hunger strike lately. His name is Dennis and he is approx 5 years old and seemingly in really good health. He is the rescued brother to another one of my axies named Maddison who I have posted about previously.

The only issue with Dennis is that he hasn't eaten for the past 2 weeks or so (maybe a bit more, I actually can't remember the last time he ate) - before then he would eat maybe every second day.

I have tried bloodworms, frozen heart and prawn blocks, Australian black worms and Hikari jumbo carnivore sticks. All high quality foods that his mates enjoy eating.

Nothing has changed in his environment. His water parameters are fine, the tank is 4 foot long, sand substrate, heavily planted, dimly lit, filtered with eheim cansiter filter with spraybar and constantly kept at 18 degrees (I have a chiller). Lots of caves for hiding in.

At what stage should I start to worry? Is there anything I can do or should I just leave him be?

 

[mmbd73]

I had an axolotl that did the same thing for two weeks. He acted fine, but was disgusted by my food offerings. Eventually he ate a worm one day. As long as the water is cold, they can go awhile without food because their metabolism slows down. You can try putting him in the fridge. I had to separate mine from his tank mate and he returned to normal. Maybe it has to do with stress. I hope Dennis got feeling better!

 

[Skudo09]

Don't put him in the fridge. He will be less likely to eat in the fridge. it sounds like water quality may not be the Issue if you have good parameters. What test kit are you using? Keep offering food. These would not be suitable long term but for the purpose of enticing him to eat you could try scallops. I have heard these are palatable.

 

[Luca1980]

Thanks for the advice guys, Dennis is still not eating and I have noticed that he is starting to lighten in colour and is looking more 'irradescent'. My water quality is still really good, I do 60% water changes weekly and use the API master liquid test kit. He is keeping cool in our Australian summer and the chiller is keeping his tank at a constant 18 degrees. I keep offering food twice every day (live earthworms, hikari carnisticks, frozen beef/prawn blocks and also bloodworms) but no luck. I guess I will just have to let nature take its course with Dennis and see how he goes.

 

[Luca1980]

Sadly Dennis past away last night, despite my best efforts.

Rest in peace, my little friend x