Baby axolotls are adorable and fascinating creatures, but they’re also very delicate. They need special care if you want them to grow up healthy and happy! If you’re new to looking after baby axolotls (or any other aquatic pet), then this guide is for you.
Here we’ll answer some common questions about feeding these little critters.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Baby axolotls require a good diet for their development. |
| Providing a healthy and appropriate diet is crucial. |
| Understanding their dietary requirements is essential. |
| A varied diet with live or frozen foods is recommended. |
| Proper nutrition contributes to their overall health. |
What Is A Good Diet For Baby Axolotls?
As your baby axolotl grows, you’ll want to develop a feeding schedule that works for both you and the little guy. Feeding too much or too little can cause problems like digestive issues or stunted growth. But first things first: What should I feed my baby axolotl?
There are two types of food that work well for axolotls: live food, or frozen/thawed food. Live foods are typically insects or fish, while frozen foods include bloodworms (a common aquarium favorite), shrimp pellets, and krill pellets.
Axolotls love live food! It’s not just fun to watch them hunt down their prey they need this type of nutrition in order to grow properly. However, if you’re going to feed your little buddy live prey (like crickets), make sure there aren’t any parts of the insect left over after your pet eats it this could lead to parasites called “helminths” entering their system!
Another thing worth mentioning: don’t give an adult axolotl table scraps; only offer these kinds of human foods when he’s young enough not yet eating on his own!
When it comes to feeding axolotls, it’s crucial to understand their dietary requirements. Our comprehensive guide on what to feed axolotls provides valuable insights into the appropriate diet for these fascinating creatures.
How Many Times A Day Should You Feed Your Baby Axolotl?
You should feed your baby axolotls three to four times per day. A good rule of thumb is to feed them at least 5% of their body weight in food per day, which means a 10-gram (0.35 oz) axolotl could eat up to 1 gram (0.04 oz) of food each time you feed it.
| Age of Baby Axolotl | Recommended Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| Hatchling to 2 months | 2-3 times a day |
| 2-4 months | 1-2 times a day |
| 4-6 months | 1 time a day |
| 6+ months | Every other day |
Should I Feed My Baby Axolotl Live Food Or Frozen Food?
The main difference between live food and frozen food is that live food has more nutrients than frozen, which means it will help your axolotl grow faster and stay healthier. Live food also makes your pet more active, which is good for his health.
Plus, it’s fun to watch him hunt down his prey! If you don’t have time or patience to feed live prey items though, frozen alternatives are available at any pet store or online shop.
If you choose to feed your baby axolotls with frozen foods (which I would recommend if you’re not willing or able to feed them live prey), make sure they are high quality without preservatives such as ethoxyquin (a chemical used in some fish meals).
You can always ask the staff working at your local aquarium store what brands they recommend they should know what types will work best with axolotls’ digestive systems
Considering axolotls as pets? Explore our in-depth article Are Axolotls Good Pets? Explained in Detail to gain a deeper understanding of their care needs, including their dietary preferences.
How Often Should I Feed My Baby Axolotl?
How often you feed your baby axolotl depends on its age and size. If your pet is a big one, you might want to feed it once every other day or so. However, if your pet is small (less than half an inch long), then it’s best to feed them three times a day.
In this case, we recommend that you set up a feeding schedule for every day for each of your axolotls so that they’re always getting their nutrients when they’re supposed to. This will help ensure that they stay healthy and grow into happy adults!
What Should I Feed My Baby Axolotl If It’s Sick?
If your axolotl is sick and not eating, you can try feeding it live food. If it’s still not eating after a few days of trying, then try frozen food.
If you have another healthy axolotl that is also not eating, put the two together in an aquarium and feed them both live or frozen food until they are both recovered from their illness.
| Food Options |
|---|
| Brine shrimp |
| Daphnia |
| Bloodworms |
| High-quality axolotl pellets |
| Earthworms |
| Tubifex worms |
| Chopped seafood (e.g., shrimp, fish) |
| Medicated axolotl food (recommended by a veterinarian) |
When Do I Stop Feeding My Baby Axolotl Live Food And Start Feeding It Frozen Food?
When your baby’s axolotl is about 3 cm long, we recommend that you stop feeding it live food and start feeding it frozen food. If the axolotl has reached this size but you’re still feeding it live food, please read our how-to guide
Are you a beginner looking to keep axolotls as pets? Discover the essentials in our informative guide Are Axolotls Good Pets for Beginners? Explained to ensure you’re equipped with the right knowledge, including tips on feeding.
What Is The Best Way To Feed My Baby Axolotl Live Food?
Feeding live food to your axolotl is the best way to ensure that it gets all of the nutrients it needs. If you choose, you can feed your axolotl frozen food; however, this will not provide as much variety in nutrients or give your axolotl the opportunity to hunt for its own food.
Live feeding can be very easy if you have an aquarium with a lid and mesh screen top. You can simply place the live food inside and let your axolotls hunt for it! However, if you don’t have a tank with an open lid or mesh top, then things get slightly more tricky – but not impossible!
Many people use aquarium plants such as Anubias and Java Ferns for their tanks because they grow easily in water and provide shelter for their fish; however there are other options available online or at pet stores including plastic plants made specifically for use in aquariums (which tend to cost less), silk plants which look great but may need replacing every month due to fading colors after being submerged underwater (this depends on how often you change out water).
The most important thing when feeding live foods are making sure that everything stays safe and healthy – especially during mealtime when everyone’s hungry!”
Why Does My Baby Axolotl Eat So Much And Still Not Get Bigger?
Baby axolotls are voracious eaters. It’s important to keep in mind that they need to eat a lot of food in order to grow, especially when they’re little. If your baby axolotl doesn’t eat enough, it won’t grow properly and will die.
| Possible Reasons |
|---|
| Insufficient nutrients in the current diet |
| Inadequate feeding frequency or portion size |
| Poor water quality affecting their growth |
| Presence of underlying health issues |
| Genetic factors influencing growth potential |
Can I Give My Axolotl Table Scraps?
You can’t give your axolotl table scraps. They are carnivores, so they need a diet of live food. Feeding an axolotl anything else will cause it to get sick and possibly die from malnutrition.
Your axolotl needs to be fed live food until it’s about 4 inches long (10 cm). At this point, you can start giving it frozen foods like mealworms and crickets if you want (but not fish).
Curious about the ease of keeping axolotls as pets? Our article Are Axolotls Easy to Keep? Explained delves into the considerations, which can indirectly shed light on their dietary requirements for a hassle-free experience.
Do Baby Axolotls Need Calcium Or Vitamin D3 Supplements?
Axolotls are aquatic salamanders that live in lakes throughout Mexico and large parts of Central America, so they do not need vitamin D3 supplements (or any other dietary supplement).
Like all amphibians, axolotls do require calcium in their diet. Calcium is an essential part of many biological processes, including the formation of bones and teeth. Axolotls are carnivores and will eat almost anything they can catch in their environment; however, it’s important to note that some foods contain more calcium than others.
For example, insects have very low amounts of calcium compared to other animals like fish or worms. When feeding your axolotl live food (like crickets), it’s best to provide a wide variety so that he gets enough calcium from different sources throughout his life.
To better understand the unique species of axolotls, take a look at our informative piece What Species Do Axolotls Belong To? It provides insights into their classification and behavior, which can provide valuable context for their nutritional needs.
Baby Axolotls Are Adorable, But They Can Be Tricky To Care For While They’re Little
Baby axolotls are adorable, but they can be tricky to care for while they’re little. You need to feed them live food, but you need to be careful not to overfeed them. You should feed them frozen food when they get bigger.
Conclusion
The best thing to do is to ask around and find out what others have done with their baby axolotls. There are plenty of forums and websites where people can discuss their experiences raising these little guys, so make sure to read up before making any big decisions!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of baby axolotls:
Baby Axolotl – A Complete Guide: Learn more about the characteristics, care, and feeding requirements of baby axolotls in this comprehensive guide.
What Do Baby Axolotls Eat?: Discover the specific dietary needs and recommended food options for baby axolotls, ensuring their healthy growth and development.
Tips for Caring for Baby Axolotls: Find practical tips and advice on providing optimal care for baby axolotls, including information on their diet and tank setup.
FAQs
How often should I feed baby axolotls?
Baby axolotls should be fed small amounts of high-quality food two to three times a day to meet their nutritional requirements.
What are suitable food options for baby axolotls?
Baby axolotls can be fed a variety of live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and finely chopped earthworms.
Can I feed baby axolotls pellets or flakes?
While some commercially available axolotl pellets or flakes may be suitable for adult axolotls, they are generally not recommended as the primary diet for baby axolotls due to their smaller size and specific nutritional needs.
How can I ensure proper nutrition for my baby axolotls?
To ensure proper nutrition, it is advisable to offer a varied diet that includes a combination of live or frozen foods and provide occasional supplementation with calcium and other essential nutrients.
When should I start introducing solid food to baby axolotls?
Baby axolotls can start consuming small, appropriately sized live or frozen foods once they have developed their front legs and are capable of capturing and swallowing food.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.