My axolotl won’t eat

[Sophia_b]

I have two full grown axolotls and they are split up in a tank, but one hasn’t ate in about a week and I’m getting really worried what should I do? They eat earthworms usually but all of a sudden one won’t eat at all. What should I do?

 

[wolfen]

what are the water parameters and what chemicals etc.. are used in the water.
how long has your mel been chunky? is your other axolotl the same?
closer photos if possible please !

 

[Sophia_b]

what are the water parameters and what chemicals etc.. are used in the water.
how long has your mel been chunky? is your other axolotl the same?
closer photos if possible please !

I use stability and prime in the water, she’s always been fairly chunky, so is the other!

 

[wolfen]

what are the temperature/ph/ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels?
the reason I ask about having closer photo's is because one sides limbs look thicker than the other sides on your mel.
there is an issue with the water as is displayed by the lack of gills on your lucy.

 

[Sophia_b]

what are the temperature/ph/ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels?
the reason I ask about having closer photo's is because one sides limbs look thicker than the other sides on your mel.
there is an issue with the water as is displayed by the lack of gills on your lucy.

Well a while ago Mel attacked Lucy which is why he is missing some gills he also lost a leg but it is almost grown back, this was a few months ago though,

 

[Sophia_b]

Well a while ago Mel attacked Lucy which is why he is missing some gills he also lost a leg but it is almost grown back, this was a few months ago though,

But your right I just checked and ammonia and nitrates are too high! What should I do? The tank is a 40 gallon what measurements of chemicals would you recommend I use? These are the ones is use

 

[wolfen]

the main way to remove nitrate would be through water changes, the ammonia shouldn't be high and because there is normally zero waste in a bare bones tank (I assume you scoop the poop and remove excess food) the ammonia should be zero, a few things can affect the ammonia level, ph to low making it difficult for bacteria to consume/convert, bacterial filtration too small and unable to consume/convert all the ammonia being produced, temperature too cold making the bacteria become dormant and also making ammonia be difficult to consume/convert.
because you have said there are elevated levels of nitrates I'm inclined towards the bacterial filtration not being large enough, also make sure that a water change is done weekly with enough water removed to bring the nitrates down bellow safe levels ie.. 10ppm.

 

[Sophia_b]

the main way to remove nitrate would be through water changes, the ammonia shouldn't be high and because there is normally zero waste in a bare bones tank (I assume you scoop the poop and remove excess food) the ammonia should be zero, a few things can affect the ammonia level, ph to low making it difficult for bacteria to consume/convert, bacterial filtration too small and unable to consume/convert all the ammonia being produced, temperature too cold making the bacteria become dormant and also making ammonia be difficult to consume/convert.
because you have said there are elevated levels of nitrates I'm inclined towards the bacterial filtration not being large enough, also make sure that a water change is done weekly with enough water removed to bring the nitrates down bellow safe levels ie.. 10ppm.

Thank you so much! I’m just going to do a full water change and get new sponges etc for inside the filter is there anything you can suggest to get her to eat?

 

[Sophia_b]

Thank you so much! I’m just going to do a full water change and get new sponges etc for inside the filter is there anything you can suggest to get her to eat?

Can I also ask how much of the chemicals you would put in the tank? (it is 40 gallons)

 

[wolfen]

live food ie.. worms, river shrimp, platy's, guppy's, molly's.
frozen food ie.. bloodworm, krill, mysis, brineshrimp, chopped cockle, chopped mussel, beefheart, chopped prawns.
chemical wise I use sodium thiosulphate for dechlorinator, modified holtfreters which is salt, epsom salt, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, and I add humic acid to give the water a brown/yellow tint.
the calcium carbonate replaces calcium chloride and bicarbonate of soda normally used in holtfreters, it does cloud the water but only lasts a few hours if external filtration is used.