Training

[lauren]

How do you train your axolotl to take food from the surface? My axie knew how to do it when he was in the smaller tank, but now he's under 6 and a half inches of water and doesn't notice the trout pellets. Is the smell not strong enough to make it that far down? He's eaten sinking blood worms from the bottom, so his appetite is intact - but they are really messy and I would like to stay away from that.

 

[kaysie]

You cant really 'train' them. They just do or they dont. Some will notice food, some wont. mine wont do it. I think its just a matter of preference.

 

[amy]

I used to just drop the pellets and let my axy find them himself, but i found it really messes the tank up if they don't eat them all, so now i use a pair of long tweezers and drop the pellet right in front of his face and he snaps it up easily, i also do this with the earth worms. I've found that to be the easiest and cleanest way to feed axies. Like Kaysie said, i doubt you can train them to take food from the surface.

(Message edited by Amy on October 10, 2004)

 

[kim]

Mine too wont take any food from the surface

I tried for months but gave up as some just wont do it.

If i feed bloodworms i take them out and feed in a smaller 'holding' tank (of course with tank water in it).

With earthworms it just dunk my hand in the water right in fornt of there faces.. they soon see/smell it!

 

[dot]

I feed mine floating bloodworm gum drops. For a while, they just waited until they sank to eat them, but now they'll come up to the surface for them. Depending on what you're feeding, if they figure out where it's coming from, they'll eventually know to come up to the surface for it.

 

[lauren]

Okay, after a few days he has remembered how to do it in his new tank. I've found with mine that if you feed the pellets one at a time, and then bounce the pellet with your finger until the axie looks up, he'll never fail to come to surface. It's also fun to watch.

 

[kaysie]

I love to watch them eat. Like little slimy sharks

 

[charlie]

Dunno if you can train THEM but mine have sure as hell trained ME!

So far i've learned;
Standing square on, snout in the sand, legs braced - means GIVE ME A WORM
Swimming up and down at the front of the tank - means GIVE ME A WORM
Standing with one front leg resting nonchalantly against a rock - means hey you! look at me (then GIVE ME A WORM)

 

[kim]

HA HA HA Charlie... I know those looks too!

 

[mik]

I can see it now worlds thinnest book:

Aolotl translations - anything and everything can be translated as 'GIVE ME A WORM'. Could be a best seller!

2nd thinnest book - Intelligent and truthful things said by politicians