Axolotls are popular aquatic pets due to their unusual appearance and ability to regenerate limbs. However, feeding your axolotl can be a challenge when you don’t know what he or she needs! Luckily, we’ve got all your axolotl feeding questions covered here.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Axolotls require a varied diet consisting of both animal and plant-based foods. |
| High-quality sinking pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia are suitable food options for axolotls. |
| Avoid feeding axolotls foods that are too large, hard, sharp, high in fat, or seasoned. |
| Fruits and vegetables are not recommended as a primary part of an axolotl’s diet, as they are carnivorous animals. |
| Feeding axolotls 2-3 times a week is sufficient, and overfeeding should be avoided to prevent health issues. |
| Maintaining a proper feeding schedule and monitoring the axolotl’s weight is crucial for their well-being. |
| Providing a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for the growth, development, and overall health of axolotls. |
| Consulting with a vet or an expert can help determine the specific dietary needs of individual axolotls. |
| Regularly observing the axolotl’s behavior and adjusting the feeding regimen accordingly is important for their overall health. |
How Often Should I Feed My Axolotl?
Feed your axolotl once a day, and don’t forget to take out the uneaten food after 20-30 minutes. If you feed your axolotl too much at one time (more than half of its body weight), it may make them sick. If you don’t feed enough, they may starve to death!
The amount of food you give should depend on the size of your axolotl; for example: 1 baby axolotl needs about 5 crickets at each meal, whereas an adult will need about 10-15 crickets per meal
If you’re considering axolotls as pets, you’ll be pleased to know that they make wonderful companions. Discover why axolotls make good pets in our comprehensive guide on the benefits of keeping axolotls as pets, and get ready to experience the joy of these fascinating creatures firsthand.
What Is The Best Food For An Axolotl?
The best food for axolotls is crickets, mealworms and earthworms. If you can’t get any of those then you should feed them fish, shrimp or even mice if necessary. If you don’t have access to live food or frozen insects then it’s okay to feed them canned cat food, but make sure it doesn’t have onion in it because onions are poisonous for axolotls.
You can also feed them fish flakes or pellets made for aquarium fish instead of live animals like worms or bugs if you prefer that method of feeding your pet axolotl as long as they’re not coated with chemicals like pesticides which could be harmful to its health
| Food Type | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Live or Frozen Bloodworms | High in protein and a favorite among axolotls |
| Brine Shrimp | Provides essential nutrients and variety |
| Daphnia | Rich in nutrients and aids in digestion |
| Axolotl Pellets | Specifically formulated for axolotl’s needs |
| Blackworms | Nutrient-rich and highly palatable |
What Do Axolotls Eat In The Wild?
Axolotls eat a variety of foods in the wild, including small fish, insects, worms and crustaceans. Some eat algae as well. In captivity they can be fed pellets or live food such as crickets from pet stores. If you choose to feed your axolotl live food you should make sure it is suitable for them (see below).
Most axolotls will eat their food whole but if you have an aggressive specimen that bites at fish pieces then you may have to break up the food first by putting it into boiling water for a few minutes before feeding it to your pet.
Axolotls should not be fed too much protein when they are young because this can lead to swim bladder problems later on in life (see below).
While axolotls are captivating creatures, it’s essential to understand why they may not be suitable as pets for everyone. Dive into our informative article on why axolotls should not be pets to gain insights into the challenges and responsibilities associated with caring for these unique amphibians.
How Much Food Should I Give My Axolotl?
How many times a day should you feed your axolotl? This is a question that comes up all the time, so here’s our answer: It really depends. Some people are able to get away with feeding once a day, while others need to feed twice or even three times per day.
The key thing is not to overfeed your pet! Doing so can cause serious health issues like swim bladder disease and fin rot. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than having an axolotl die because of something as simple as too much food being given at once!
It’s also important not to underfeed your pet either; if they don’t eat enough each mealtime then it could mean long-term issues like poor growth rates or stunted growth altogether (in addition to short term issues such as constipation).
If this happens then we recommend speaking with someone from Petco Animal Supplies who can help guide you through these problems before they become worse ones down the line for future purchases
What Kind Of Water Should I Use To Feed My Axolotl?
- Water temperature. The temperature of the water should be the same as the water in your tank, but if you are using tap water and it is cold, then heat it up to room temperature before putting it into your tank.
- How much food to give them. There are two ways to determine how much food you should give your axolotl:
- The first way is by learning about how much they eat in nature (below). This is what you would use if you don’t have a scale or measuring cup.
- The second way is by measuring out exactly how much food they need each time with a measuring cup or scale (below). This is more accurate than just guessing because sometimes axolotls eat more than others depending on their size, age and activity level at that moment.
| Water Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Dechlorinated Water | Tap water treated with a dechlorinating agent to remove harmful chlorine |
| Spring Water | Naturally sourced water from springs |
| Filtered Water | Water passed through a filtration system to remove impurities |
| Bottled Axolotl Water | Specially formulated water designed for axolotl care |
| Aquarium Conditioned | Water that has been conditioned specifically for aquarium use |
How Should I Hold My Axolotl When Feeding It?
When you feed your axolotl, you should hold it by the sides of its body. This way, you don’t stress out your axolotl by pulling on its head or tail or neck. You also don’t want to hold onto any part of its legs because it could injure itself trying to get free from your grip and escape into another section of the tank when you aren’t paying attention.
Axolotls play a vital role in the ecosystem, and it’s crucial to recognize their significance for environmental balance. Explore our expert-backed analysis on why axolotls are important to learn about their ecological contributions and the importance of preserving their natural habitats.
Can I Feed My Axolotl Live Crickets?
If you want to feed your axolotl live crickets, it’s important that they’re gut-loaded first. Gut-loading is the process of feeding crickets nutritious foods like carrots and lettuce so that they will contain more nutrients when eaten by your axolotl. They should be at least six days old before being fed to your pet as younger ones won’t have developed their nutritional value yet.
Crickets are an excellent source of calcium, iron and zinc—all essential nutrients for an axolotl’s health—as well as vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and A
Should I Use Sinking Pellets Or Floating Pellets For Feeding My Axolotl?
There are two main types of food pellets: floating and sinking. Floating pellets are designed for fish that have a poor sense of smell, such as goldfish. In contrast, sinking pellets are better for species that have a good sense of smell, like axolotls. Unfortunately, many pet stores only sell floating pellets because they are easier to produce and more profitable than sinking ones.
However, if you feed your axolotl sinking pellets instead of floating ones it will be able to digest its food more easily and absorb the nutrients contained within them more efficiently. This is because axolotls don’t have any teeth with which they can grind up their food – so they need something easy on their digestive system!
Where Can I Buy Live Crickets For Feeding My Axolotl?
You can buy live crickets from a pet store, breeder or local pet shop.
When buying from a pet store, make sure that the crickets are moving freely and active before purchase. If you purchase them online, make sure to check if there are any special instructions for delivery so that they arrive alive.
When it comes to feeding baby axolotls, providing a proper diet is essential for their growth and well-being. Check out our comprehensive guide on the ideal diet for baby axolotls to ensure your adorable aquatic companions receive the nutrition they need during their early stages of development.
How Often Should I Clean Out My Tank For Feeding My Axolotl?
How often you should clean out your tank depends on the size of your tank and how many axolots you have in it. The bigger the tank, the less often it will need to be cleaned. If your tank is small, then it needs to be cleaned more often because there will be more waste produced by your axolotl.
If you have a lot of plants in your tank (like aquatic plants) then this may also cause more waste which means that the water needs to be changed more frequently due to algae growth or decay processes taking place within them. This is why some people like using limestone rocks for their aquariums instead since these do not decay as quickly as plant matter does!
Should I Give Fresh Water With Each Meal For Feeding My Axolotl?
No, you should not give fresh water with each meal. The water in your tank should be changed daily (or more often if it is cloudy or smells bad). Once you have established a routine of changing the water every day, only then will it be beneficial to put some fresh water in with the food.
| Water Change Frequency | Description |
|---|---|
| Before Each Meal | Changing the water before every feeding session |
| Daily | Changing the water once every day |
| Every Few Days | Changing the water every 2-3 days |
| Weekly | Changing the water once a week |
| Biweekly | Changing the water every two weeks |
What Temperature Should The Water Be When Feeding An Axolotl?
Axolotls are cold-blooded animals, which means that their body temperature matches the temperature of their surroundings. For example, if your axolotl is kept in a tank at room temperature (70 degrees), it will be comfortable and healthy as well.
The exact temperatures in which axolotls thrive vary depending on the species. In general, though, they prefer a temperature between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 Celsius).
Do You Need To Feed Them Fruits And Vegetables As Well As Insects For Nutrition?
You should feed your axolotl a variety of foods that include insects, fruits and vegetables. When it comes to feeding an axolotl, you should always provide a combination of live crickets (either adult or baby), earthworms, mealworms, wax worms, frozen blood worms and other small invertebrates such as tubifex worms.
You can also supplement their diet with some leafy greens like spinach and lettuce every once in a while as well as some hard boiled eggs occasionally but be sure not to overdo this since it’s not good for your axolotl’s health!
Maintaining the right temperature is crucial for the health and thriving of axolotls. Learn about the optimal temperature requirements for these amazing creatures in our detailed article on what temperature do axolotls live in, and create a comfortable environment for your axolotls to thrive in.
Are There Any Foods That Are Bad For An Axolotl’s Health
The simple answer is no, there are no foods that are bad for an axolotl’s health. Axolotls are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. As such, it is important to feed them a variety of foods in order to ensure they get the nutrients they need from each food group.
Insects: This includes crickets, mealworms (the live ones), grasshoppers and earthworms (the frozen ones). Your axolotl should eat about 10-20 insects per day as juveniles and about 3-5 as adults.
Snails: These little guys are great for your axolotl’s diet because they have lots of calcium! You can feed them live snails or use freeze dried ones that come in sealed packages at your local pet store.
Plants: Most aquatic plants will be fine for your axolotl’s diet but avoid any non aquatic ones like lettuce.
Fish: If you have big enough tank water wise then you might want to consider having some fish around for your axolots’ dinner time fun instead of just feeding them bugs all day long!
Conclusion
Now, you know everything there is to know about feeding axolotls. You can go out and feed your pet in the best way possible!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on axolotl feeding and dietary considerations:
How Much to Feed Axolotl & How Often to Feed: Learn about the appropriate feeding quantities and frequency for axolotls to maintain their health and well-being.
What Do Axolotls Eat?: Discover a comprehensive guide to the dietary preferences and suitable food options for axolotls, ensuring their nutritional needs are met.
What Can Axolotls Eat and What Not? Complete Food List: Gain insights into a comprehensive food list for axolotls, including suitable and unsuitable options, to provide a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to axolotl feeding:
How often should I feed my axolotl?
Axolotls should be fed 2-3 times a week, as overfeeding can lead to health issues. It’s essential to maintain a proper feeding schedule to ensure their well-being.
What are the primary food choices for axolotls?
Axolotls primarily feed on live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. These protein-rich options are suitable for their dietary needs.
Can axolotls eat commercial fish food?
Yes, axolotls can eat high-quality sinking pellets or sticks specifically formulated for aquatic carnivores. It’s important to choose fish food that is appropriate for axolotls’ nutritional requirements.
Are there any foods that axolotls should avoid?
Yes, axolotls should avoid foods that are too large, hard, or have sharp edges, as they can cause choking or injury. Additionally, foods high in fat or seasonings should be avoided as they can be detrimental to their health.
Can axolotls eat fruits or vegetables?
No, axolotls are carnivorous and do not typically consume fruits or vegetables. Their diet primarily consists of animal-based protein sources, and plant-based foods are not suitable for their nutritional needs.
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.