axolotl help!!

[janepudding]

Hi everyone!
I am new to the forum and would really appreciate some help -
I have been taking care of two axolotls (a male and a female) for around 2 years now. I was told by the previous owner to feed them two blood worm cubes every 3-4 days and so have been doing that since I got them. They seemed to have been fine for the most part until very recently couple days ago I came home and found the female's limb injured. I kept an eye on them and realized that it was the male who attacked her. During these couple of days he would attack the female every night when no one was around. Now the female has injury on 3 of the 4 limbs and some of the gills as well... I feel so bad for her and have just realized that it might be because I haven't been feeding them enough. I am going to separate them now but I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help the female regenerate the limbs and feel better? I did some search and saw that sometimes when left with no intervention they would die... I really would appreciate any help!
I have attached a photo of what she looks like now. She doesn't have the limbs bitten off per say but they are injured.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[miola]

Oof, poor thing!
Earthworms are generally considered the best nutrition for adult Axolotls. You can find them at chain pet stores (Petco etc.) in the USA. Mine don't care for red wrigglers, but my female loves night crawlers. I have to cut them into smaller sizes. My male generally refuses worms, but loves pellets. I get mine on Amazon. I am currently using Rangen 3/16" Soft Moist Sinking Bits by Aquatic Foods. They make a 1/4" size, but since my Axolotls are full grown, I prefer the larger size. I drop them one at a time so that they can catch them. It is kinda tedious. Some people train them to find the pellets on a little food bowl. Remove the uneaten pellets with a turkey baster or they will mess up your water. I have used Invert Aquatics' Soft Pellets for Axolotls in the past and my Axolotls LOVED them, but they are a smaller size so more tedious to feed. There is also a brand at Petco called Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets. They are not moist, but soften in water. My Axolotls prefer the moist pellets. In any case, I have read you want the protein content of pellets at about 45% and fat not higher than 20%. Worms are by far the quickest and easiest to feed and clean up, but variety is good for Axolotls. I am usually feeding every other day, but it depends on how hungry they are. I feed pellets until they loose interest, or a worm to a worm+1/2.

I have not fed blood worms since my Axolotls were small, but I have read that they are a good food for adults.
So it may not be a food issue, but introducing earthworms will fill them up faster and keep them fuller longer.

Honestly, your female looks male to me, at least from above. Males are usually long and more slender than females from above. So have they ever produced eggs?

It could be a housing issue, size of tank or not enough hides.
As far as housing her now, I would keep her separate until she heals. Daily water changes. Cool water. That is a really small tub, maybe a bigger one or add an air stone. Mine were in tubs when they were small, I kept two tubs per Axolotl and just moved them into the clean tub daily. It made it easier. As they got larger, I gently picked them up with my hands. But with her you will need to be extra careful. I'm sure with care and attention she will heal, they are pretty amazing

 

[janepudding]

Oof, poor thing!
Earthworms are generally considered the best nutrition for adult Axolotls. You can find them at chain pet stores (Petco etc.) in the USA. Mine don't care for red wrigglers, but my female loves night crawlers. I have to cut them into smaller sizes. My male generally refuses worms, but loves pellets. I get mine on Amazon. I am currently using Rangen 3/16" Soft Moist Sinking Bits by Aquatic Foods. They make a 1/4" size, but since my Axolotls are full grown, I prefer the larger size. I drop them one at a time so that they can catch them. It is kinda tedious. Some people train them to find the pellets on a little food bowl. Remove the uneaten pellets with a turkey baster or they will mess up your water. I have used Invert Aquatics' Soft Pellets for Axolotls in the past and my Axolotls LOVED them, but they are a smaller size so more tedious to feed. There is also a brand at Petco called Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets. They are not moist, but soften in water. My Axolotls prefer the moist pellets. In any case, I have read you want the protein content of pellets at about 45% and fat not higher than 20%. Worms are by far the quickest and easiest to feed and clean up, but variety is good for Axolotls. I am usually feeding every other day, but it depends on how hungry they are. I feed pellets until they loose interest, or a worm to a worm+1/2.

I have not fed blood worms since my Axolotls were small, but I have read that they are a good food for adults.
So it may not be a food issue, but introducing earthworms will fill them up faster and keep them fuller longer.

Honestly, your female looks male to me, at least from above. Males are usually long and more slender than females from above. So have they ever produced eggs?

It could be a housing issue, size of tank or not enough hides.
As far as housing her now, I would keep her separate until she heals. Daily water changes. Cool water. That is a really small tub, maybe a bigger one or add an air stone. Mine were in tubs when they were small, I kept two tubs per Axolotl and just moved them into the clean tub daily. It made it easier. As they got larger, I gently picked them up with my hands. But with her you will need to be extra careful. I'm sure with care and attention she will heal, they are pretty amazing

Wow thank you so much!! I was told by the previous owner that she is a female and her tank mate (the one that bit her) is a male. I will try your suggestions and change the tank setting a bit. Thank you so much!