I got juvenile axolotls about two months ago. They seem very thin and don't appear to be growing at all. The tank is a 20gal tall and the temperature is always between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. I feed them soft sinking pellets once a day but if they aren't consumed before they hit the rocks, they're gone forever. Is there a better way to feed them? I'd hate to remove my under gravel filter. It has the most manageable flow rate of all the filtration systems I've owned and it's the least stressful on the axies. Is there something I'm doing wrong? I've attached pictures and if necessary, I can always upload more. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
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Axolotls are illegal in California. Please read this thread for detailed information and links to the actual laws: https://www.caudata.org/threads/axolotls-are-illegal-in-california-here-are-the-relevant-laws.30779/
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Question: Axolotls aren't growing
- Thread starter Liz1111
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Could always change their diet? Live earthworms and bloodworms are good. I have a very underweight one who has started to plump up nicely mainly on bloodworm 
You could put it in a feeding jar so that it doesn't get caught underneath the rocks.
You could put it in a feeding jar so that it doesn't get caught underneath the rocks.
Pellets + pebbles = rotting pellets.
I'd recommend removing the glass pebbles for the time being, just go with a bare bottom tank. Then you can use a turkey baster to suck out the uneaten pellets.
If you try frozen bloodworms, be sure they don't get sucked into the filter.
The tank could also use some additional hiding places - pots or large rocks, for example.
The best food to beef them up would be Canadian nightcrawlers cut into small pieces. If you're willing.
I'd recommend removing the glass pebbles for the time being, just go with a bare bottom tank. Then you can use a turkey baster to suck out the uneaten pellets.
If you try frozen bloodworms, be sure they don't get sucked into the filter.
The tank could also use some additional hiding places - pots or large rocks, for example.
The best food to beef them up would be Canadian nightcrawlers cut into small pieces. If you're willing.
Thank you for your responses :happy: I do have blood worms but they're frozen and they just float around the surface of the water. I haven't been able to get Ender or Bean to eat anything that doesn't sink to the bottom. I've been a little apprehensive about purchasing live food from pet stores because there's always a chance that they could carry sickness. Where do you get your live blood worms from? What is a feeding jar and where can I find one? Where would I go to purchase Canadian night crawlers? Sorry for all the questions but there's just one more; Is it safe to remove the pebbles from my tank, leaving the under gravel filter exposed?
Kaysie
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Frozen bloodworms should be thawed first. A lot of people use a feeding jar to feed bloodworms. You can make your own from any jar big enough for your axolotl to stick its head in.
As for live nightcrawlers, I think most people here either dig their own from pesticide/fertilizer free yards/gardens/woods. Or you can purchase them from WalMart. I've bought worms from WalMart for years and never had a problem.
Yes, you can remove the pebbles, but you should remove the under gravel filter. I guarantee when you pull up the filter plates, you'll be amazed at how much crud is under the filter.
As for live nightcrawlers, I think most people here either dig their own from pesticide/fertilizer free yards/gardens/woods. Or you can purchase them from WalMart. I've bought worms from WalMart for years and never had a problem.
Yes, you can remove the pebbles, but you should remove the under gravel filter. I guarantee when you pull up the filter plates, you'll be amazed at how much crud is under the filter.
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Somewhat off topic, but why Canadian dew worms? Obviously what I feed my guys as it's readily available in bulk... are they not found elsewhere? Or not as nutritional?
Here's a "quick" update: (I'll attach some pictures too)
Tank:
I don't know if it's possible to tell from my crappy pictures but the "rocks" I have in the bottom of my tank are all wider than my axies and almost as long. I purchased them specifically because it isn't possible for Ender or Bean to accidentally or purposely ingest them. I also added several plants (thanks again for the suggestion) and I gave them a food dish to solve their sinking pellet problem. It seems to be working very well (see pictures). I'm still hesitant to remove my under gravel filter because of how effectively I'm able to adjust the flow rate. I have a Penguin Bio Wheel filter that I don't use anymore because their gills began to curl forward toward their faces like eyelashes. I read that the gill curling is the first sign of stress due to heavy water flow. Is that incorrect?
Feeding:
I took advice from an employee at Petco and I fed them each 3 or 4 mealworms before reading that they cannot digest their hard exoskeletons. I've since fed them cut up Canadian nightcrawlers (thanks again!) and the axies LOVE them. However, I think that the meal worms have caused some sort of blockage in their stomachs and they're extremely bloated. I attached a picture of Bean from the side. You can actually see the nightcrawlers inside of him. Hopefully you can also see the bloating I'm referencing. I don't want to feed them anything else until they can pass what is already in their tummies. Also, there appears to be some bruising in their throats (again: see picture). I can't imagine that's a good thing. I've read a lot about refrigerating axolotls to speed up the passing process. But I still have a lot of unanswered questions about that. For example; how do you prepare them for a temperature change that drastic (going into and coming out of the fridge)? Also, do I need to poke holes in their containers or can they breathe without them? Can I put both axies in one container in the fridge? Or would it be better to house them separately? I read that they don't usually eat much when they're refrigerated so I'm wondering how many days they can go without food. And finally, I'm looking for an approximate amount of time it will take to pass something like this. Or if has any chance of passing at all
Happy helpers:
Thank you again to everyone who posted for all your good advice and useful suggestions. I'm always open to ideas and constructive criticism. If there is anything you feel I may have overlooked or something else I could do for them, please do not hesitate to let me know. I want to provide the best possible care for my tiny companions and I'm willing to go to great lengths to guarantee their comfort and safety. Thank you again for your time.
Tank:
I don't know if it's possible to tell from my crappy pictures but the "rocks" I have in the bottom of my tank are all wider than my axies and almost as long. I purchased them specifically because it isn't possible for Ender or Bean to accidentally or purposely ingest them. I also added several plants (thanks again for the suggestion) and I gave them a food dish to solve their sinking pellet problem. It seems to be working very well (see pictures). I'm still hesitant to remove my under gravel filter because of how effectively I'm able to adjust the flow rate. I have a Penguin Bio Wheel filter that I don't use anymore because their gills began to curl forward toward their faces like eyelashes. I read that the gill curling is the first sign of stress due to heavy water flow. Is that incorrect?
Feeding:
I took advice from an employee at Petco and I fed them each 3 or 4 mealworms before reading that they cannot digest their hard exoskeletons. I've since fed them cut up Canadian nightcrawlers (thanks again!) and the axies LOVE them. However, I think that the meal worms have caused some sort of blockage in their stomachs and they're extremely bloated. I attached a picture of Bean from the side. You can actually see the nightcrawlers inside of him. Hopefully you can also see the bloating I'm referencing. I don't want to feed them anything else until they can pass what is already in their tummies. Also, there appears to be some bruising in their throats (again: see picture). I can't imagine that's a good thing. I've read a lot about refrigerating axolotls to speed up the passing process. But I still have a lot of unanswered questions about that. For example; how do you prepare them for a temperature change that drastic (going into and coming out of the fridge)? Also, do I need to poke holes in their containers or can they breathe without them? Can I put both axies in one container in the fridge? Or would it be better to house them separately? I read that they don't usually eat much when they're refrigerated so I'm wondering how many days they can go without food. And finally, I'm looking for an approximate amount of time it will take to pass something like this. Or if has any chance of passing at all
Happy helpers:
Thank you again to everyone who posted for all your good advice and useful suggestions. I'm always open to ideas and constructive criticism. If there is anything you feel I may have overlooked or something else I could do for them, please do not hesitate to let me know. I want to provide the best possible care for my tiny companions and I'm willing to go to great lengths to guarantee their comfort and safety. Thank you again for your time.
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larn
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I have 3 baby axolotls about 4 months old, but they are still in small seperate containers, i have to do 100% water change every 2 days, but i can monitor them closely and made sure they get enough food (bloodworms) they seem happy enough in a small environment as long as the water is clean and they have food, they are happy. the big tank will be ready soon though...
muffywrx
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Just a sidenote ... do you have that lighting on a lot or just to take pictures? Lights are stressful, especially blue lights or black lights or uv emitting lights ... just saying.
the rocks may be small enough to fit in axi someday i think is the point.
the rocks may be small enough to fit in axi someday i think is the point.
I'm so grateful for this forum. Good point about the smaller tank! You know, I've given serious consideration to moving them in the last week or so and I don't mind the water changes. However, I spent all my "hobby money" (I'm saving for a wedding in 8 months) on the setup I currently have. I'll have to wait another day or two before I have the funding to purchase a smaller tank. Nothing fancy, just enough to keep them healthy and happy.
And I'm glad someone mentioned the lighting. That's a really important thing to remember in terms of temperature regulation and because these poor little creatures have no eyelids. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be to stand under department store lighting for hours with no eyelids? It's a very good point. And my answer is no, I do not use the lighting often. I turn it on occasionally to take pictures (it makes it much easier to photograph them at night) and recently, I began using it when I feed them. Axolotls are smart and they learned quickly that light means worms. Another useful way to help with the feeding process. Also, I should clarify that the room that houses their tank is ordinarily very bright. Unfortunately, it's also our bedroom. We caved and bought curtains that block out 98% of light, draft and sound less than a week after moving in. Lol. And that was years before the axolotls came along. So, three of those five pictures were actually taken during the day after simply pulling the curtains back. Fortunately, between the axies and my fiance's 3rd shift job, the curtains are almost always closed.
And I finally understand what you mean about the rocks. In spite of their current size, it's quite possible that they'll be dangerous in the future. I've seen a full grown axolotl swallow a goldfish about the size of those stones before. And you know, it's funny because I did so much reading and planning before even thinking I was qualified to bring any home and care for them. Yet, after all this planning, I managed to provide them with an adult sized tank that has rocks in it which are only safe for babies. Who knows what I was thinking.
So, now my question is this: Is there any particular kind of sand that you would recommend using inside the smaller tank? Or do you feel it doesn't make a difference? Thank you all again for your time.
And I'm glad someone mentioned the lighting. That's a really important thing to remember in terms of temperature regulation and because these poor little creatures have no eyelids. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be to stand under department store lighting for hours with no eyelids? It's a very good point. And my answer is no, I do not use the lighting often. I turn it on occasionally to take pictures (it makes it much easier to photograph them at night) and recently, I began using it when I feed them. Axolotls are smart and they learned quickly that light means worms. Another useful way to help with the feeding process. Also, I should clarify that the room that houses their tank is ordinarily very bright. Unfortunately, it's also our bedroom. We caved and bought curtains that block out 98% of light, draft and sound less than a week after moving in. Lol. And that was years before the axolotls came along. So, three of those five pictures were actually taken during the day after simply pulling the curtains back. Fortunately, between the axies and my fiance's 3rd shift job, the curtains are almost always closed.
And I finally understand what you mean about the rocks. In spite of their current size, it's quite possible that they'll be dangerous in the future. I've seen a full grown axolotl swallow a goldfish about the size of those stones before. And you know, it's funny because I did so much reading and planning before even thinking I was qualified to bring any home and care for them. Yet, after all this planning, I managed to provide them with an adult sized tank that has rocks in it which are only safe for babies.
Who knows what I was thinking. So, now my question is this: Is there any particular kind of sand that you would recommend using inside the smaller tank? Or do you feel it doesn't make a difference? Thank you all again for your time.
OKori
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Wonderful names for your little ones, I must say. I'm an Orson Scott Card fan myself. :grin: I'd love to see Ender's game made into a movie!
Another thing--just an idea from the newbie here-- I have my juvies in a 20 tall at the moment WITH gravel. No, it's not ideal and someday it will have to change.... but not for quite some time. I tried keeping the juvies seperated in different sized tupperware containers, laid in a 5g with an airstone and they HATED it. I never saw them move, they wouldn't eat, and they didn't appear to be growing. It was horrible and sad.
So I scrapped that idea, put them in the 20g tall and they LOVED it. They swim around and perch on the decor and plastic plants. As for feeding, each day I snag them up out of the tank, place them together in a sandwich style tupperware, and drop their pellets in. While they're in there eating i can perform water changes and clean my gravel, and return them without soiling my water with the food they didn't eat. Again, I'm a newbie here too, but that's how I'm doing it.
Again, good luck and I wish little Ender and Bean well! (Just a thought, If you ever get a third you could name it Petra c; )
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