Saw axolotl spit up food

[ClockworkParrot]

Saw axolotl throw up food

I think I may have let my axolotl eat too much cut up worms today and saw him spit up some undigested pieces. I have read that it is common for them to spit up if they eat too much since they are opportunistic eaters. He tried to eat them again after I cleaned them up and chased me down for more.

He's a little less than 5" and I usually give my two bigger ones (The other is a bit over 5") one red wiggler a day. This batch of worms was a bit bigger and thicker than the last batch so I know they got a bit more than usually because of the thickness and I have been cutting the worms into quarters.

As I was writing this I noticed my other one opening and closing his mouth like he might be ready to spit up as well. which has me worried because I dont know if he got more from eating what the other spit up. He hasnt spit anything but now I am paranoid. Im worried I let them both eat too much or didnt cut it small enough.

Neither of them are acting lethargic and they are both wandering around right now.

Should I cut back on how much they are getting or maybe just chunk it up smaller?

 

[ClockworkParrot]

The other did just spit some undigested worm. I dont believe it was it was that they had eaten. They are swimming around fine now though. I dont want to give them too much and upset their stomachs.

 

[Petersgirl]

When they 'spit up,' they often look like they are yawning, but you will see bits of food coming out of their mouths. It can be upsetting to watch, but generally speaking it isn't something to be concerned about unless it is happening at every meal.

One red wriggler at 5" sounds fine - mine were eating two small dendrobaenas each at that age (mind you, they were piggylotls!) It may be that the worm secreted a bitter tasting fluid before it died and that was on the worm - this can cause the axolotl to spit it back up. Another cause can be an undetected substance. I accidentally dropped a worm in the sink while cleaning one day, and when I gave it to Toothless, he spat it out. I later found out that my Mum had used some bleach in the sink, but she had washed it thoroughly so that I couldn't smell it or see it (I run my hand around the sink and taste the end of my fingers prior to washing the worms in a glass, so if any worms fall out I know there's no bleach or washing up liquid in the sink). Toothless probably tasted a trace of bleach and refused to eat it. I've been extra-cautious ever since.

By the sounds of it the worms just secreted a nasty substance which put them off. You can blanch the worms in very hot water to stun them, so they don't do this in future.

 

[ClockworkParrot]

When they 'spit up,' they often look like they are yawning, but you will see bits of food coming out of their mouths. It can be upsetting to watch, but generally speaking it isn't something to be concerned about unless it is happening at every meal.

One red wriggler at 5" sounds fine - mine were eating two small dendrobaenas each at that age (mind you, they were piggylotls!) It may be that the worm secreted a bitter tasting fluid before it died and that was on the worm - this can cause the axolotl to spit it back up. Another cause can be an undetected substance. I accidentally dropped a worm in the sink while cleaning one day, and when I gave it to Toothless, he spat it out. I later found out that my Mum had used some bleach in the sink, but she had washed it thoroughly so that I couldn't smell it or see it (I run my hand around the sink and taste the end of my fingers prior to washing the worms in a glass, so if any worms fall out I know there's no bleach or washing up liquid in the sink). Toothless probably tasted a trace of bleach and refused to eat it. I've been extra-cautious ever since.

By the sounds of it the worms just secreted a nasty substance which put them off. You can blanch the worms in very hot water to stun them, so they don't do this in future.

It was over an hour after they ate them. They both seem to be acting fine now I was just scared when I saw them throw it up.

 

[kjnorman]

My two adults have both done this, and it never led to anything. I think sometimes the food just doesn't sit right in their stomachs or whatever so they spit some up. Sometimes they eat it again, sometimes not. I wouldn't be worried unless something else starts happening.

 

[snuggly time]

Mine throws his up quite often, although I feed him whole worms. I think sometimes the really wriggly ones may upset his stomach or it's too much food for him.

Check your water parameters. If the water is fine and at the right temperature, I wouldn't be too worried unless it happens all the time.

 

[myan]

This has only happened to me once, when my male regurgitated his wormy meal. It had never happened before, nor since, and i put it down to a slightly contaminated worm, as on further inspection of it when it re-emerged it didn't look quite as healthy as others. They always refuse them when they're full so it might be worth double checking the worms before they're offered up. If you feed in a different container to their main tank its better to let the temperature equalise too, as i've heard that can cause them to sick up their food.