The joys and challenges of caring for an axolotl are likely familiar to you if you own one. Over the years, axolotls’ captivating appearance and intriguing regenerative abilities have captured many pet enthusiasts’ hearts. However, one aspect of axolotl care that often goes overlooked is their waste – or as we usually call it, “axolotl poop.”
There are plenty of visual indicators of your Axolotl’s well being but I bet you’d be surprised that the appearance of feces discharged by your axolotl, as well as the defecation patterns can also provide these signs.
Don’t feel embarrassed that you didn’t know this. Rather remain vigilant and be alert to any deviations from the norm. But what is the norm for Axolotl poop? You might ask.
Here, I will discuss various aspects of Axolotls’ poop in order to help you gain a better understanding of this topic. So, continue reading if you are interested in learning more about Axolotl excrement.
Axolotl Poop: Let’s Discover Everything
In the following section, I will let you know everything I learn about Axolotl poop. So, Without further ado, keep reading…
Poop Color
The poop of an axolotl will normally be brown to black. If your Axolotl’s poop is any color, it may be a sign that something is wrong. Different colored Axolotl poop could be due to a few things. Let’s have a look at the 3 most common colorations other than brown and black and the reason behind these colorations.
- Green Axolotl Poop:
Most likely, your axolotl ate fibrous and indigestible aquatic plant material, which caused this. Typically, this isn’t a big deal, and the poop will return to its usual color after the plant matter is gone. However, green poop may also indicate an infection of the digestive tract, where the green material could actually be pus, indicating that your axolotl is sick.
Read Also: Best Plants For Axolotl Tank
- White Axolotl Poop:
An excessively fatty diet may be responsible for this color. Having too much fat in your pet’s diet, such as chicken skin, beef strips, or chicken hearts, can make digestion tough. Hence, fat digestion difficulties lead to white-ish colored poop.
However, the presence of white axolotl poop may also indicate a parasitic infection known as a protozoan infection.
- Red Axolotl Poop:
It’s possible your axolotl ate something that gave its poop a reddish hue, like bloodworms or earthworms. Also, raw meat that wasn’t digested, or artificial colors in fish feed can cause red color poop. However, red poop can also suggest the existence of blood in the stools, which is a bad sign and could mean injury or infection. Immediately take it to the vet in this case.
Axolotl Poop Size and Shape
Axolotl’s feces are encased in a slender, sausage-shaped membrane that typically exhibits a hue resembling that of soiled earth or darkened wood. This organic casing measures approximately one inch in length and boasts a weight of roughly 0.04 ounces, equivalent to one gram.
The feces of juvenile axolotls appear similar to those of their adult counterparts, albeit noticeably smaller in size. Additionally, the excrement may exhibit a more rounded shape, resembling grape seeds or small fish food pellets.
In case you notice sizable flesh pieces around your axolotl’s anal sac, it is a telltale sign of poor health, and immediate attention is necessary.
What Does Axolotl Poop Smell Like?
The excrement produced by axolotls has a unique fragrance. However, given that these creatures tend to relieve themselves within their designated tank, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to detect any unpleasant odor.
In contrast, if you do not maintain the container regularly, the feces, as well as all of the organic matter in the tank, including food scraps, decaying aquatic flora, deteriorating skin, and slime, can mix and decompose. It is likely that this mixture will release noticeable foul odors.
How Often Do Axolotl Poop?
There are several factors that influence the frequency of axolotl excretion. Generally, healthy adult axolotls are known to defecate only once per week, which is mainly attributed to their slow digestive process, feeding schedule, and slow metabolic rate. Baby axolotls, on the other hand, may poop more frequently because of their rapid growth, which requires more frequent food consumption.
It’s worth noting that axolotls take a considerable amount of time to digest their meals, further contributing to their infrequent excretion. Moreover, the temperature of their environment also affects the efficiency of their digestive system.
In the right health, an axolotl will usually defecate once or twice a week. This means pet owners should expect excretion intervals ranging from once every seven days to once every three to four days.
How Much Do Axolotl Poop?
Axolotls typically excrete one single piece of fecal matter per defecation. It is reasonable to refer to this solitary piece as a “turd.” However, on some occasions, an axolotl may excrete multiple “turds” consecutively. The likelihood of an axolotl producing more than one “turd” during defecation increases with the quantity of food consumed.
What Causes My Axolotl To Poop Less Frequently?
If your Axolotl is not voiding its waste, the most probable cause is constipation. There can be several reasons why Axolotls suffer from constipation, with overfeeding and impaction being the most common causes.
Excessive feeding
Surprisingly, Axolotls are not as susceptible to overfeeding as other creatures, owing to their intelligent recognition of when they have consumed enough food. Nevertheless, they are not immune to their instinctual biological programming, so overfeeding can still be an issue in certain cases.
Although Axolotls do not tend to overindulge in one feeding session, they may do so more often if given the opportunity. For instance, young Axolotls consume food daily due to their higher metabolic rates, whereas mature adults only require two or three meals a week.
Axolotls’ digestive systems slow down as they age. Therefore, daily feedings will probably disrupt their ability to digest food properly, leading to constipation.
Impaction
It can be caused by a number of things, such as untreated constipation or ingesting hard plus bulky stuff. Often, the latter happens when you feed the Axolotl large morsels that get stuck.
Additionally, gravel substrates pose an added risk since axolotls can swallow gravel while eating. Because of this, it’s best to use sand or even a bare tank bottom, though using bare tank bottom has some disadvantages.
It is, however, difficult to determine if an Axolotl is constipated. When they go through constipation, these amphibians usually lose their appetite, bloat, float uncontrollably, and display signs of stress.
Remember, if an Axolotl hasn’t pooped in 2-3 days, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re constipated or impacted. In general, axolotls do poop 1-2 days after feeding, but they feed just once every 2-3 days, so they don’t defecate every day.
What Can I Do To Help An Axolotl Poop?
As you already know that your axolotl might have pooping problems, either from constipation or from impaction. Let’s see how you can help your beloved friend in these situations.
Treating constipation in Axolotls
The first thing you can do is stop giving them food. It’s best to stop feeding them for 2-3 days. It’ll make it easier for their digestive system to deal with the existing food. In most cases, this fasting method works. However, it may also be beneficial for your constipated axolotl to be placed in the refrigerator (also known as “frizzing”).
If your axolotl’s constipation issue hasn’t been solved yet, consult with a vet as soon as possible.
Curing your Axolotl’s impaction
Impaction can be a serious issue that can lead to health problems and even death if left untreated. Try giving your axolotl a warm bath if it is suffering from a mild impaction in order to stimulate its digestive system and promote bowel movements.
In the event that your axolotl is experiencing severe impaction, or that it is not responding to home remedies, contact a veterinarian who is experienced with aquatic animals. The veterinarian may prescribe medication or surgery to remove the blockage depending on the severity of the blockage.
To ensure Axolotl’s health, it is important to address impaction as soon as possible.
If your axolotl is not pooping due to impaction, you have two options: fridging or surgery (performed by a qualified veterinarian, of course).
What is causing my axolotl to poop too much?
Axolotl defecation habits can vary depending on multiple factors such as the animal’s age, dietary intake, feeding frequency, overall health condition, and the surrounding environment.
First, we must establish a baseline for a healthy adult Axolotl’s pooping amount before determining excessive defecation. The animal’s digestive system typically takes around 2-3 days to process the food it has consumed, so it excretes fecal matter once or twice a week.
Here are some reasons why your axolotls may be pooping excessively.
1. Age of the Axolotl:
Young Axolotls tend to have a faster metabolic rate, which results in frequent pooping. Therefore, it is typical for juvenile Axolotls to poop daily. Nevertheless, if you ensure that they have a single meal every day, there’s no need to worry about their pooping frequency.
2. Temperature:
As cold-water amphibians, axolotls require a specific temperature range in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Ideally, they require a temperature range between 60 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Deviations from this range can cause a shift in their metabolism, leading to increased waste production. Remember, the temperature should not be increased beyond this range, as doing so can cause stress in the Axolotl, which can result in health problems.
3. Diarrhea:
It is worth noting that Axolotls are also susceptible to diarrhea. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including bacterial infections, parasites, or a poor diet. The most effective way to treat this condition is to maintain pristine water parameters, as well as to offer clean, freshly prepared foods. In addition, you need to provide antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian.
4. Overfeeding:
Many novice pet keepers believe that overfeeding their pets is beneficial to their health, but this is not the case. Axolotls require only one nutritious meal every two to three days, and overfeeding them may increase their pooping frequency significantly. This can cause them to become overweight, which can harm their health in the long run.
It is essential to consider these factors when analyzing your Axolotl’s pooping frequency. You should investigate each potential cause and address it accordingly to maintain your pet’s well-being. By taking these steps, Axolotls should start pooping normally again.
Does an axolotl eat its poop?
Axolotls do not habitually ingest their own excrement. Nonetheless, in cases of emergency, such as malnutrition or an inadequate diet, they may resort to coprophagy. It is imperative, therefore, to ensure that axolotls are fed a well-balanced, nutritious diet, which should include protein and fat-rich victuals such as brine shrimp, raw meat, Daphne, Earthworms, and Blackworms.
Feeding frequency must also be taken into consideration, with axolotls requiring a nutrient-dense meal every 2-3 days depending on their size, dietary needs, and hunger levels. Diversifying their diet may also make sure they get the right nutrients.
After all, coprophagy(eating your own poop) can cause parasitic infections in axolotls, so any such behavior should be addressed right away.
3 Easy Ways To Remove Axolotl Poop From Its Tank
It’s important to clean axolotl waste from their habitat to make sure they have a healthy habitat. You can employ many methods to clean your Axolotl’s poop, but the following three ways are really hassle-free. Let’s take a look at them and pick the one you think is easiest for you to incorporate into your regular tank cleaning routine.
1. Using gravel vacuum cleaners
A gravel vacuum cleaner can be an excellent device for cleaning Axolotl tanks. Yes, it is also very effective at taking poop out of the tank. Designed with the end-user in mind, this device works smoothly and is easily operational. In addition to electric versions, the machine is also available in manual versions, and it is relatively inexpensive.
Actually, it works by sucking waste or poop from the water into a filter that keeps gravel trapped in the tank. To use a manual gravel vacuum cleaner, you need to put the hose of your gravel vacuum into a container and insert the filter inside your Axolotl’s tank. Once that is done, open the flow control valve, squeeze the pump, and you’re good to go.
Generally, this kind of vacuum will remove a considerable amount of water from your tank – which must be captured in a bucket before being refilled.
2. Using a turkey baster
A turkey baster is another effective tool for removing Axolotl poop from the tank.
Fundamentally, a turkey baster functions similarly to a gravel vacuum. To remove Axolotl poops from the tank, you need to squeeze the baster’s bulb and put the tip near the droppings. The pressure on the bulb will release firmly. You’ll see poop being collected on the end of the baster. Finally, remove the baster, clean it, and move on to the next piece of poop.
While turkey basters are fine if your tank is small and shallow, you might have trouble with bigger tanks. As this tool is usually around 10 inches long, you can’t reach every place inside a large tank.
Furthermore, some axolotl poop sizes are larger compared to others, making them difficult to get into a baster.
3. Using a fish net
To remove axolotl poop from a tank using a fish net, first, ensure the net is clean and free of debris. Position the net over the poop and gently scoop it up, being careful not to disturb the Axolotl or any other tank inhabitants. Once the poop is removed, dispose of it properly and rinse the net before storing it for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is axolotl poop hard?
No, axolotl poop is not solid and is actually a liquid soft substance. There is a high chance that it would burst or break if touched.
Do axolotls pee?
Yes, axolotls do urinate. Like all vertebrates, axolotls have a urinary system that removes waste products, including urea and other nitrogenous compounds, from their bodies. Axolotls excrete urine through their cloacas, which are openings located at the base of their tails.
Can Axolotl poop explode?
Axolotl poop does not explode on its own. However, since axolotl poop is very soft and liquidy, it can burst or break apart easily if touched or disturbed. So while it does not explode in the traditional sense of the word, it can certainly make a mess if not handled carefully.
Do Axolotls Constipate?
Yes, Axolotls can get constipated. Constipation in axolotls can occur when they are not able to pass fecal matter normally due to various reasons.
Do axolotls get diarrhea?
Yes, Axolotls can get diarrhea. Diarrhea in axolotls can be caused by various factors such as overfeeding, sudden changes in diet, water quality issues, or bacterial or parasitic infections. An axolotl’s diarrhea needs to be identified and treated promptly to prevent further health problems.
The poop of my Axolotl is hanging! Why the heck is that?
The poop of your axolotl may have become stuck in its cloaca as it was trying to exit. This can happen because the poop may not have fully left the canal, or because something in the poop like fibers is still inside the animal. Fortunately, this can be resolved with time, as the axolotl’s movement will cause the poop to fall off.
Final Words
Hopefully, this blog post has provided you with valuable information about axolotl poop. I’ve covered everything you need to know about this interesting topic, from color to consistency to frequency.
If you’re an axolotl owner or considering becoming one, it’s critical to pay attention to your pet’s poop to ensure they’re healthy and happy. By understanding what’s normal and what’s not, you can detect health issues early.
Now that you’ve read all the information about axolotl poop, do you feel more confident in your ability to spot potential health issues in your pet? Let us know in the comments below!
