My Axolotl won't eat =[

[Erzs]

Hi all. I'm new here so I hope it's okay I post asking for a bit of advice. =]

If you don't want to read the long story here's it said in a few words!

Axo ate gravel > then threw some gravel up > hasn't seemed happy or been eating properly since. =[

I recently bought an axolotl. Although I did a lot of reading before purchasing him the man at the store told me it was safe to buy gravel for the axolotls tank. He also said he had owned axolotls before so I trusted him, despite what I had read elsewhere.

Needless to say pretty much the moment I put Arby into the tank he was chomping down on some gravel (I don't know if this is because he hadn't been fed in a while or what). I panicked, called the store, and was advised to remove the gravel, so I did but it was a little too late as throughout the day he threw up 2 pieces of gravel and then a few days later I found another piece he had thrown up.

Basically now he is not eating, and hasn't eaten much at all since the incident. He ate a little after he had been sick the first time but not since he has been sick the second. I am feeding him earthworm sticks and after reading somewhere they like prawns I also tried him with one of those. Nothing seems to interest him. =[

 

[melfly]

He could have eaten more than you think.
Best thing would be to fridge him for a few days to see if it passes.

How big is he? How much did he eat before?

Mel

 

[Erzs]

Hi, thanks for getting back to me =]

He is roughly 7-8cm and I'm uncertain how much he used to eat before. When I asked the guy at the store how often he'd recommend me to feed him he said 3-4 times a week so I guess that's at least how often he did eat.

He never seems active at all throughout the day yet in the store he was swimming around very actively. I have caught him a few times swimming about at around 6am. Do you think it's an idea to try feed him when most active? I tried this a couple of days ago but it didn't work, but maybe he'd be hungrier now so to give it a try?

 

[melfly]

At that size you want to be feeding him daily.
The best food is live earthworm. (will need to be chopped up if they are big)
If you are sure there a no pesticides used outside you can dig for your own.

However at 7-8 cm live bloodworm would also be a good food.
They liketo have wriggly things.

If you do have access to pesticide free outdoors you could try him on woodlice or small slugs too.

They are more active at night so yes evening or early morning would be a good idea to try him.

Good luck let us know how he gets on!

Mel

 

[Erzs]

Thanks a lot for your advice! I'll be sure to keep you updated and let you know how he gets on! =]

 

[Erzs]

Hi!

Just wanted to let you know Arbie is eating much better now! In total he threw up 5 pieces of gravel! I'm contemplating letting the store where I got him from know about it just so they don't advise other people the same as they did with me.

He's pretty skinny at the moment still but is rather taken with bloodworm and likes the occasional bit of prawn! I also tried him with brine shrimp but whether he still had a poorly tummy or just wasn't too keen I'm unsure as he only ate a little of that.

One other question I have is if axolotl's even like earthworm sticks? This is what I was advised to feed him but also something he wasn't keen on and spat out a few times.

Thanks again for giving me advice. =]

 

[Bellabelloo]

Try him with a nice juicy earthworm. If it looks too big trim it to size..not many axolotl can resist a worm, and they are the best food source for them.