Listless and not eating

[mpslate]

I have a young axie (about 6-7 months). He used to eat readily every day. I usually give him red worms, but he has also eaten guppies and frozen brine shrimp. In the last couple of weeks he just seemed to lose interest in food for no obvious reason. He's probably eaten 1/2 worm 2-3 times in the last 2 weeks and that is it. I used to have guppies in with him, but took them out because they were pecking at his skin and he was letting them. I've checked the chemicals and they are all within normal range. After talking with a local pet store, they suggested trying to keep the tank below 70F. So, I've been trying to keep the water temperature down to below 70 F, but find it sticks between 70-74. I don't see any signs of fungal or bacterial infections. I'm so attached, as are our 2 girls. Any thoughts or suggestions. I'm afraid he's going to die any day.
mary

 

[ianclick]

Hi Mary,

You may well find that as you spend more time on this site that the information supplied by pet stores is not always the best even if the intentions are.

Although heat can stress axies and a symptom can be loss of appetite. I live in a land that deals with celcius and the farenheit system is a mystery so im not sure how hot or cold 70F is.

Axies can survive for a suprising length of time with no food although mine only have to wait two days before a feed.

I suggest that you keep offering food or try some different food options. He may just be telling you that he doesn't require daily feeds anymore. On the other hand something maybe wrong either way I believe you have come to the right place.

Anyone with moderator status on this site is an experienced and knowledgeable individual and there are many members who collectively hold an immense amount of axie know how.

They will get to your questions and may be able to shed more light on your situation.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Regards

Click

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Hi Mary,
I used to have the same problem with my axolotl. I was feeding her bloodworms and earth worms and she didn't seem to like them at all, so I tried feeding her a flake of golfish food and she absolutely loved it. so I now give her several flakes twice a day by wetting the end of a wooden chopstick in her tank water and sticking it on a flake. I also find she likes it when i push the flake under the water so it sinks and I try to line it up with her mouth so she can get it. So i would recommend trying that! good luck

 

[Abrahm]

It sounds like he may be stressed because of the heat in the aquarium. Axolotl's are temperate creatures and should be kept at temperatures under 70F if at all possible. This article on aquarium cooling will help you with that. If he has been exposed to warmer temperatures for a long time it could have slowly been building up levels of stress hormones until now he won't eat.

Just to be sure, what are the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in the aquarium? Do you use gravel on the bottom? What kind of filter are you using? Does it produce a notable current?

I think you should continue feeding the worms. They are a very nutritional food. Goldfish flakes are not really a good choice for newts and salamanders. This article has a lot of good information on food for caudates.

 

[mpslate]

Update on "Oaxaca" - listless axie

Let's see, no gravel on bottom, I have very large rocks, definately way to big to ingest. He also looks really skinny to me. Last check of chemicals (pH, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia) about 2 weeks ago all within normal range. I'll recheck them later today. 70F = 21C. Filter is an "AquaClear" power filter. It is external to tank and water flows into the tank like a waterfall so there is a bit of a current on the one side of the tank. I got him to put a 1/2 worm in his mouth yesterday evening, but he just held it there. I'm not sure if he ever ate it or not.

I've read other people's posts and understand that they can go quite some time without eating, but what about his lack of energy. He just sits there, whereas before he used to swim around, come up for food, follow you if you came by his tank. Thanks again for all the words of wisdom. It is amazing how you can get attached to these little guys!

Mary and Oaxaca

 

[mpslate]

Chemical Test results

pH = 7.6
Nitrite, ammonia = 0 ppm (mg/L)
Nitrate = about 30 ppm (mg/L) My test kit that I have says this is within normal range, but now I'm wondering if this is too high for an axolotl?!

 

[Jennewt]

All sounds fine. 30ppm for nitrate is good. So it's a mystery why your axolotl is acting strangely. Any change since you first posted?

 

[mpslate]

update

Unfortunately I think he is getting worse. His lethargy is worse. No eating and his gills look pale. I think it is only a matter of time now.

 

[Kaysie]

Have you cooled the tank any? I've found that if you can cool it down to 60F, they'll usually perk up. I use an air conditioner to keep my caudate room at 70 in the summer.

 

[John]

Sounds like water flow to me - those hang on filters can sure churn the water.

 

[mpslate]

update

Still hasn't eaten anything. HOw long can he go without eating? He will strike at the worm and will occassionally hold it in his mouth, but will always spit it out.

I'm curious about the filter. It didn't seem to be causing him any stress the first few months that we had him?!

I have read some about people putting their axies in the fridge. Do you just put them in a bowl? Do they get enough oxygen? I've been putting bottles of ice water in the tank, but it hasn't made a difference in his eating.

Thanks!
Mary

 

[g_k]

have you tried tempting your little one with a tasty treat like liver or some live shrimps? could just be bored with worms.

 

[Ed]

How often have you been doing water changes? How much water is being changed at one time?

What kind of test kit are you using?

Ed

 

[Abrahm]

I'm curious about the filter. It didn't seem to be causing him any stress the first few months that we had him?!

While it may not have appeared to be causing stress, the current caused by a filter can be a problem. Oftentimes animals will live in stressful conditions for quite some time but if a new stress source appears it may be enough to start a spiral of illness. Your axolotl may have been constantly stressed by the water's movement but since conditions were otherwise fine it looked healthy but then a second stress source such as high ammonia, nitrite or temperature caused the animal to become ill.

Answering Ed's questions should be a priority as this problem may have multiple issues at its root.

 

[mpslate]

answers

I change out about 20% of the water about every 2 weeks.
The test kit is API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) Freshwater Master Test Kit.
Can anyone recommend a filter that would be suitable for a 20 US Gallon tank that wouldn't cause water flow?
THANKS for all the support.
Mary