One of the signs of a healthy Axolotl is regular and healthy eating habits. Meanwhile, many people usually ask “why is my Axolotl not eating?”.
There are different reasons why your Axolotl doesn’t eat. This article will help you identify the cause and suggest some of the best methods to take care of them properly.
Contents
The Reasons Make The Axolotl Not Eat
Amoniac
One of the reasons Axolotl won’t eat is poor water quality, particularly the ammonia concentration in the tank. Fish waste, uneaten food, and decomposing plants all produce ammonia. The tank filter will not be capable of removing ammonia from the water if it is not operating at full capacity or when something unexpected happens.
Axolotls might become queasy and sick when exposed to ammonia. And while their body is in this state, they will not desire to eat. Furthermore, ammonia can induce organ failure and death in Axolotls.
Temperature
Axolotl has good adaptability. Axolotl can be kept with any fish, but when the water quality changes, this will affect the fish’s appetite. Therefore, when changing water, it is necessary to add new neutral water.
The best way to grow Axolotl is at a temperature of 20 – 25°C. If the water temperature slowly drops to 20°C, it won’t hurt either. Water temperature during adolescence should be maintained at 25 – 26°C. This temperature is suitable for growth.
Ensuring the water temperature is stable will help fish avoid many diseases. Therefore, every time the weather changes, you need to pay attention to adjust the water system. Make sure there are no sudden changes.
Kind Of Food
The axolotl is not a picky eater, but you also can’t feed them indiscriminately. Feeding your pet the right way and the right food is an important factor in keeping them healthy.
If your Axolotl is not eating, it may be because the amount of food you are providing is too large, difficult to digest, or may not have enough nutrients.
Tank Mates
They may not get along if the Axolotl gets along with the other creatures in the tank. Axolotls will not eat if their tankmates mistreat them. You can readily know if there are wounds or hidden acts on Axolotl’s body. At this point, prepare a new tank with a little lower temperature than usual to speed up the healing process for Axolotl.
Impaction
Axolotl not eating can also be a sign of impaction. In fact, they can put anything in their mouths, including gravel or aquarium decorations.
This overloads their digestive system, resulting in a standstill condition. Axolotl suffers greatly. His case seriously harms Axolotl. They can die if they can’t get through or if the owner doesn’t take care of them.
What Are The Best Foods For An Axolotl?
Shrimps In Brine
Brine shrimp is a favorite meal of Axolotl. You may give them raw shrimp or anything else that is fresh and untreated. These meals are high in nutrients, fatty acids, and lipids, which make consumers feel satisfied longer.
Worms
Earthworms and bloodworms are favorites of axolotls. Images of Axolotls eating worms in their natural habitat may be seen in social media videos.
Snails
Snails are an essential meal for an Axolotl in the wild. It would be fantastic if you could feed them fresh snails.
Pellets
There are also several types of pellets specifically for Axolotls on the market. You can find it at some aquarium stores or on Amazon. For example, the Invest Aquatics Soft Pellets is a very good product for Axolotls. It is so small that you don’t need to spend time separating them. However, you should monitor the number of pellets as this can lead to overeating or spoilage.
Daphnia
Daphnia has a high nutritional value and is used as feed for freshwater fish. The nutritional content depends on their age and the type of food they consume, whereby they account for 50% of the dry weight.
Their fat content helps fish absorb and grow better. The number of fat accounts for 20-27% in adulthood and 4-6% in newborn species. Due to its high nutritional content, this is a very good food for Axolotls.
Notice When Feeding The Axolotl
Processed Meat
You are not allowed to feed your Axolotl processed meat because it contains a lot of substances that are not good for their health. Moreover, the spices used in processing are also not good for Axolotl. Remove items like sausages and ham from the Axolotls menu immediately if you want them to grow healthy.
Creatures With Brittle Exoskeletons
When feeding, you should avoid feeding hard-shelled or thorny creatures so that the fish’s esophagus is not damaged when eating these foods. Chitin is one of those foods you should avoid. It cannot be digested easily, affecting the intestinal system in the future.
Feeder Fish
Don’t put feeder fish into the Axolotl’s tank if you don’t want to appear as parasites. You should maintain the fish in quarantine for four weeks before releasing them to your Axolotl.
Note: Young axolotls must be eaten daily to promote their well-being. Axolotls that are adults may only require one or two meals each day. In fact, they can survive for at least two weeks without nourishment (this is not recommended at home). Accidentally overeating can result in indigestion and gastric blockage, which is a greater concern.
Conclusion
Axolotl not eating is not a cause for concern. You should research and deal with them as soon as possible to find the answer to “why is my Axolotl not eating?”. Let’s look at Axolotl’s surroundings and other aspects that influence its growth. Generally, this is a rather typical occurrence, so follow the guidelines provided here to care for your Axolotl comprehensively.
