Question: Female not eating

[gradym]

Hello -- I have just acquired two axolotls. I was told the female is 'full of eggs'. I brought her home 9 days ago, and she will not eat. The male is eating just fine -- eating earthworms. She shows no interest. I called vet office; they think this may be normal before laying eggs.
Can someone please help and advise if this is normal -- if not, any ideas please???
Thanks so much

 

[Quentari]

It is normal for axolotl to not eat for a week or two after moving. She is most definitely full of eggs, but she generally won't lay any unless they are fertilized.

Have you tried any other foods for the female? sometimes they don't war up to worms right away, depending on what she was fed before you got her. I have axies that will only eat pellets, for example.

There's a chance that it has something to do with your water, do you have a test kit? what's the temperature?

 

[gradym]

Thank you for your reply! You may be quite correct that she is not happy about a move. She was very skittish when I put her in the tank. I have tried blood worms and frozen brine shrimp. I do believe he fed her 'fish pellets'. Any idea of what I could buy asap that may work? I will try anything. I have tested water, no ammonia....I have a 20gal tank for both, temp is pretty steady at 68F. 2 filters, but have outflow aimed at glass, minimum turbulence. I have already changed water once in the past 10 days. 'Age' the water....
She actually 'looks' ok, not mottled, gills look ok (well, they looked a little odd when I got her -- they don't look as feathery as I think they should), tail not curved at end....I have attached photos -- not great, but perhaps you can get an idea of what she looks like. She is the albino. I included a picture of the wild type male so you can see the tank set up and her 'roomie'
Grateful for any input -- I have been waiting almost a year to get these -- and really want her to be 'ok'!

 

[Quentari]

Hm well she looks okay in the pictures, maybe her gills are a little curled but that might be stress from the move. Do you use a dechlorinator to age the water? leaving it to sit is fine if your water only has chlorine but most places have started using chloramine and you can only get rid of that with a dechlorinator.

How deep is the water? general rule of thumb is it should be deeper than they are long. Also watch the pebbles, they all look too big to eat from what I can see but lots of leftover food and stuff can get caught underneath which can cause your water to go bad.

Also you probably already know this but the water changes should be about weekly around 20% (don't change all the water at once!!)

Is your tank cycled?

If the previous owner was feeding pellets maybe you should try to get some. Most pet stores have them and I think some people get theirs off of eBay

 

[gradym]

Hi - and again, I am grateful for your help! Yes, I do use a de-chlorinator... thanks for the advice on the water level -- did not know that rule of thumb, and I will change portions of the water and see how that goes. I do test the water, so I will be diligent on the ammonia levels. Also, I use the Eheim 'quick vac' to do daily pick-ups, and it works like a charm -- really helps to keep the tank 'tidy' and helps the filters.
I will see what I can find at the pet store in the line of fish pellets.
Will probably be bringing her into the vet if this doesn't resolve -- don't know if that will stress her out more or not...but I just can't let her go without trying everything! I've only had her 9 days!!!
I will post another picture or two...I agree, her gills just don't look 'right'...but then again, I still consider myself a novice.

 

[Quentari]

Don't worry too much unless she's getting VERY thin. I've seen axies so thin you could see their hip bones (at a pet store, I spoke to someone and apparently he was sick and refusing food and they weren't selling him luckily)

Don't just test the ammonia, you'll need to test nitrite and nitrate too, both are bad for your axolotl's in high doses. What substrate was she on before you got her? is there a chance she's impacted from the sand or gravel she was on before? if so that would explain why she's not eating much.

 

[gradym]

whew...lots to learn here...will test all of the above! I truly would not think she has an impaction, although not out of the question. I understand that it was 'no' substrate, and it was in a 'lab' environment....BUT...I think I have a 'happy' update!
I was able to 'hand' feed her some salmon pellets yesterday...and again today!

Last night I went to check on them about midnight, she was on the other side of the tank, where the male usually hangs out, and the male was on top her.....so I am thinking she is not feeling too bad.... I turned the lights off very quickly and left them to their 'privacy'!

I sure am hoping that this is a turning point! I have a smorgasbord of food going here and will gladly feed her whatever her little heart desires! Will keep up the thread -- thanks again for your help and advice -- greatly appreciated!!!!!!

 

[Quentari]

Well no substrate is good at least, and luckily you got her to eat something.

You'll probably find she'll eat more regularly now, keep us updated though!

 

[layna]

Have you added more water to the tank?
Its also easier to keep the parameters (ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte) under check if there is more water in there

 

[gradym]

Hello! Yes, added more water to tank -- they seem 'content'. Male seems to like to 'float' on top of the grass.
Female had not one, but two worms today!!!!!!!!!!!! She took the last so fast, chomped the poor thing in two! Perhaps this is the beginning of 'normal' for her -- I sure hope so!

Thanks everyone for your input -- I will keep everyone up-to-date.