Fussy eater?

[CourtneyLeigh97]

my axolotl used to eat earthworms and has stopped over the last 2 months, at first I realised he wasn't eating as my parameters were all wrong (all sorted now for the past month and a half/two months) a friend suggested I try salmon... now it's the only thing he will eat. I've tried garlic guard on the worms, I've tried pellets, I'm not too sure what else I can try? Can I feed another variety of fish or will this not be sufficient nutrition wise? Thanks in advance

 

[AMurry24537]

Just to make sure I understand, your axolotl is now eating live fish and rejecting worms? From what I understand, earthworms are the best food for axolotls. I would be worried about fish bones getting stuck in their digestive system and causing impaction.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

if you can get repashy grub pie or repashy bottom scratcher they are the most complete after worms.

Dont feed salmon and just keep offering - you can blanche the worm in boiling water then dip in garlic juice

The type of worm matter
european nightcrawlers are the least offensive then canadian and african nightcrawler and red wrigglers

 

[CourtneyLeigh97]

Thank you I'll give the grub pie a try if the blanching doesn't work, I tried that once before but didn't stick to it.. how long should I try if he's refusing before I should by the grub pie? I buy smaller worms as he won't eat big ones even when they're cut up and now he's stopped altogether and will only eat salmon (also from the UK)

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Try for a good week at 3-4 days its worth ordering the repashy - you want to not give in

Shrimp or cod might get you through without having yummy salmon

 

[CourtneyLeigh97]

Try for a good week at 3-4 days its worth ordering the repashy - you want to not give in

Shrimp or cod might get you through without having yummy salmon

Thank you!

 

[CourtneyLeigh97]

Just to make sure I understand, your axolotl is now eating live fish and rejecting worms? From what I understand, earthworms are the best food for axolotls. I would be worried about fish bones getting stuck in their digestive system and causing impaction.

sorry I wasn't too clear, fresh salmon and started rejecting worms, so I was told to try that to get his appetite up but now that's all he will have! he used to eat the worms but I'm not sure why he's gone off them..

 

[Calgarycoppers]

salmon is yummier and lots go off worms 95% of mine hate worms

 

[CourtneyLeigh97]

salmon is yummier and lots go off worms 95% of mine hate worms

Mine ate worms for well over a year, only thing is I don't think you can feed salmon as their main diet? So I'm worried he's not getting the right nutrients but he's being an absolute pain

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Salmon is fine short term even for weeks lots of us rehabbers have had to use it to get axos back from the brink of death.

 

[CourtneyLeigh97]

Ok lovely thank you, it just worries me if he's going to be like this long term.. I'm going to try again with a blanched worm tonight in garlic guard and hope for the best