What Is An Axolotl Diet?

What do you know about Axolotl? Just like any other animals out there, these creatures are special in one way or another, and so do they have special diets essential to their health. Here you will find all you want to know about the axolotl diet and some feeding challenges.

Let me just state an important point here—diet is extremely important for your axolotl. Their diet includes freshwater or frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, ground earthworms, and small whole fish. Feeding should be diverse to cater all the nutrients they will need to stay healthy.

What is an axolotl?

Axolotls are pretty cool little animals, which resemble lizards and some cute water dragons. Surprisingly, they are a species of salamander that will not develop past the larval stage and will spend their entire lives in the water as a result.

In other salamanders, they lose these features in adults, and such fully aquatic features as gills are absent. They originate from Mexico, and due to their splendid regenerative features, the amputees can receive new limbs, or the parts of the brain that are damaged.

That is why it is also possible to spot their unpretentious and attractive appearance, such as frills in the gills and a smile. Acquiring axolotls needs a tank with clean, cool water and an ample number of hiding places.

What is an axolotl diet?

An axolotl diet is the type of food axolotls feed on. They eat worms, insects, and small fish, making it a carnivorous or omnivorous animal. These water animals are meat eaters, which imply they require animal flesh to exist. In the wild, they use their sharp teeth to catch and devour their prey.

Feeding axolotl in captivity requires a diverse diet so that it gets its nutritional requirements from the food it takes. Food may include fresh or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and small fillets of fish.

When feeding them, you shouldn’t give them foods too big for their mouths, as they can choke on them. Axolotls are not very selective in their choice of food; however, it is vital to watch the axolotls while eating, to know when to change their diet.

How often to feed axolotl

As a beginner, you may be wondering how often to feed your aquatic friend. Here are some tips to help keep your axolotl healthy:

Ideally, you should feed your axolotl pet say two to three times a week, but this depends on the size and age. Like every other negative aspect of feeding, overfeeding is also a bad thing because it can lead to obesity, and other diseases.

Axolotls are slow-moving animals, so, they don’t require frequent feeding. No doubt, they need food, however, you should concentrate more about their diet. At least feed the axolotl with bloodworms, brine shrimp, and axolotl pellet foods, among others. These will enable you to feed your axolotl properly to ensure that it consumes each nutrient necessary for its survival.

Do not overfeed your axolotl; divide the foods into small portions and feed the animal with what it can consume within 5-10 minutes. Feeding an axolotl beyond his or her capacity leads to overfeeding, and so your axolotl becomes overweight, or even obese.

For a juvenile axolotl, or an axolotl growing rapidly, you may have to feed more often. For more details on what to feed your axolotl with, consult a vet or other experienced owners.

Monitor their weight: If axolotls are fed more than they should be, then they will end up being overweight. So, you must keep an eye on them and control their feeding.

Pay attention to the activity level and eating habits of your axolotl. If it looks sleepy or is not eating its food, it may be sick and require veterinary attention.

Types of food axolotl eats in the wild

• Small fish: Small live fish are very good for axolotls; the type recommended is minnows or guppies.
• Other kinds of foods: They also like taking insects, including worms, crickets, and small shrimp.
• Fish: Small endogenous fish have also appeared to be part of the axolotls’ diet, as well as small shrimps and some crabs.
• Aquatic plants—take note that axolotls are not strictly carnivorous, which is why they may feed upon algae or waterweed.
• Snails: Such slow-moving animals are also among the axolotl’s natural diet.
• Earthworms: This pet can eat earthworms or any small worms they would find in their natural environment.
• Invertebrates: They can also feed on other tiny invertebrates, such as water fleas and insect larvae.
• Do not feed your axolotl with live fish or insects you buy from the pet store, as they can contaminate with parasites that endanger your axolotl. The pets are better off being fed in small amounts few times a week than eating a large meal at a go.
• However, overfeeding your pet can cause some health complications, for example, obesity and digestive system complications. If possible, you should also feed your axolotl in another container to help control portions that are given to them as well as not having to clean the uneaten food from the tank. Always remove any uneaten food after feeding to allow water quality and prevent bacteria growth.

Feeding tips for picky axolotl eaters

Offer different food options: Axolotls can be picky eaters, so it’s important to offer them several live food varieties to make them eat.

Live food is best

Axolotls prefer live food like bloodworms, earthworms, and small fish. These foods provide essential nutrients and also simulate their natural hunting instincts.

Try different feeding techniques

Perhaps some axolotls will try to eat once the food is moving; that is how tempting they can be. You can force the food in front of them by using a turkey baster or tweezers to rock it.

Avoid Overfeeding

Generally, axolotls have low metabolic rates, so do not overfeed them. As much as they may be delicate, you should feed them a small amount of food every other day to prevent obesity and also to ensure they get their daily dose of nutrition.

Monitor their behavior

If you find your axolotl not eating well, check other signs to know if your axolotl is sick or under stress. If you have any questions or concerns, always speak with a vet.

Consider using a feeding dish

Some axolotls may be more prone to feeding from the feeding dish than into their drinking bowl. This can help to solve the problem if they find it difficult to eat.

Keep food fresh

Make sure to remove any uneaten food after feeding to prevent it from spoiling in the tank. Fresh food will be more appealing to picky eaters.

Homemade Food for Axolotls

• For those who wish to feed their axolotl with some homemade foods, it is for the best. Here are things to consider.
• Include different fresh products. Axolotls love a mix of protein-rich foods like earthworms, bloodworms, and small fish, as well as veggies like chopped spinach, carrots, and peas.
• Avoid using store-bought pellets or freeze-dried foods because they are not as nutritional as the ingredients in their fresh form.
• Just combine or cut the food into small pieces, which will be easy for axolotl to take down. This also prevents them from choking on large pieces.
• Take a look at adding more calcium to its food mix since the axolotl needs it to build strong bones and teeth.

Read also: Can Too Many Treats Give Cat Diabetes?

Axolotls Foods to Avoid

1. Do not give your axolotl foods that are hard or consist of things with a sharp texture; these foods can rupture the delicate digestive tracts.
2. Do not use live insects or feeder fish for your axolotl, as that could be a source of parasites or diseases that could affect your axolotl.
3. Avoid feeding your axolotl large pieces of food that may be likely to cause blockage or choking in the throat.
4. Do not give your axolotl dairy products because they have a very low lactase level.
5. Avoid giving your axolotl spicy and seasoned foods, as they can harm their sensitive skin and gills.
6. Do not feed your axolotl with processed or packaged foods that contain preservatives or additives.

Axolotls are wonderful pets that need a proper diet to feed on. Of these aquatic salamanders, the main diet includes worms, small fish, and other water amphibians.

You must not feed them insects or foods that contain fats. Diet is essential in axolotls to ensure they are healthy; so, ensure that they eat a variety of foods but make sure they are fresh.

If you are in doubt about what you should be feeding your axolotl, consult a veterinarian or an axolotl owner for guidance. Axolotl is a flesh-eater; spend time and learn all you need to know about its diet. Feed your axolotl right!