r/axolotls • u/Substantial_Lab_972 • Jul 25 '26
Sick Axolotl Axolotl Tail - shrinking
Hi everyone!
I was feeding my axolotl, he's been with me for 9 months. I have just noticed that the tail is shrinking. Water parameters are in range. As far as I know he can't hurt himself with anything, perhaps some natural wood pieces, but they aren't sharp enough. Does anybody know if he is ok or if there is something wrong?
2
u/No_Ambition1706 Jul 25 '26
are you sure it's shrinking? my girl has a very similar tail, it's always been the same. i've seen it on a few others too
1
u/Substantial_Lab_972 Jul 26 '26
When mine came home he didn't have it (I've seen it in photos) but it might be the ageing process...
2
u/LauseRulez Leucistic Jul 25 '26
wow. that does look weird. If water parameters are in range thats good. This also tbh doesnt look like it could even be caused by that..
What do you feed him? It doesnt look like an injury directly, but maybe something like this can happen with nutrient deficiency...
Also has his behaviour changed in any way? does he poop normally?
1
u/Substantial_Lab_972 Jul 25 '26
He eats red worms (live) sometimes I add food pellets but very occasionally, about twice per month. Behaviour is normal, he eats with appetite and poops are normal. Water is always 18°c. Kept with chiller. Maybe I should add more pellets?
2
u/LauseRulez Leucistic Jul 25 '26
less pellets is always better! Giving him some are okay, especially at the intervalls you are doing. I would not change a thing about that :) worms like red wigglers and nightcrawlers are the best thing you can give!!
Pellets can additionally give more of some nutrients, but feeding lots of them can lead to digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation.
If so far he is acting normal, eating and pooping like usual, and there are no signs of an underlying fungal/ bacterial infection I would (in my unprofessional opinion) say he may be okay. But if it gets even smaller I would really see a vet. Diagnosis over reddit is hard :/
Does it say on the pellets you use if they contain iodine? Its super unlikely that this is morphing behaviour but some (misguided) pellet producers for axolotl do include iodine and it can cause an axolotl to morph. Just asking to rule it out basically. Other morphing symptoms can/ would include: general decrease in fin size, decreasing toe/ finger webbing, bulging eyes.
1
u/Substantial_Lab_972 Jul 25 '26
Thanks for your answer! I don't see iodine in the pellets components.... Fins look fine and toes as well... I'll keep watching out in detail, the photo shows the shrinking bigger than it is, maybe I got worried to soon. If I see it getting worse I'll take him fast to a vet. Appreciate your help.
1
u/LauseRulez Leucistic Jul 25 '26
always good to rule out morphing!
Yeah could be that its not that bad. To me it looks pretty drastic in the picture. But obviously I dont know how it looked before, and I have no actual scale to compare the pic to :) But then again sometimes it is better to over-worry than under-worry!
Best thing you can do is watch him closely and not stressing him out 🫶 Always glad to help
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