If you’re in the market for an unusual pet then the axolotl is just about as unusual as it gets. These incredible creatures are often called walking fish, although, in reality, they are not fish at all. Axolotls are amphibians and so their diet may differ greatly from that of other aquatic species that you are accustomed to caring for.
Of course, you want the best for your pet and so getting its diet spot on is of the utmost importance. The great thing about the axolotl is that it isn’t a hugely fussy eater. These animals are meat eaters and so require a good amount of meat-based protein in their diet. However, what you offer is largely down to you. You may choose to feed your pet human meats such as diced beef or lamb and can even offer cat food. Alternatively, there are a lot of ‘axolotl foods’ on the market such as worms.
So, if you want a pet that has a versatile and interesting diet, and that can be hand-fed, you’ll soon fall in love with caring for these beautiful animals.
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What Do Axolotls Eat In The Wild?
Axolotls largely became popular as pets in the 1930s but in recent years it seems that everywhere you look, there is someone talking about owning one of these unusual creatures. However, in the wild, it is believed that there may only be as few as 1000 axolotls remaining, meaning that they are considered critically endangered.
The situation might not be helped by the fact that the axolotl is very specifically native to one confined area in Mexico. You will find them in canals and waterways in and around Mexico City and they are most well known for inhabiting Lake Xochimilco in the Valley of Mexico. This small spread means that it doesn’t come as a surprise that there aren’t many of them left, no matter how devastating that may be.
But there is also something of an element of surprise to the declining numbers of these salamanders since their diet in the wild is incredibly varied. Having adapted to being able to eat a huge range of foods, one could be forgiven for thinking that there is no way they would ever go extinct.
When it comes to feeding in the wild, axolotls will eat pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. They typically prey on small animals such as insects, invertebrates, small fish, frogs, tadpoles, and even other smaller salamanders.
They are great hunters and the way that they eat certainly puts them at an advantage. Rather than chewing up their food as many other animals would, the axolotl has rudimentary teeth and so, when it eats, it simply needs to open its mouth and let the food flow in along with any water. However, this does mean that these animals cannot feed on anything that is larger than it, as they would not be able to swallow their meal.
How To Feed Your Axolotl And What To Give It
The axolotl is primarily a nocturnal animal. This behavior can be seen in pet axolotls so when it comes to feeding time, you may have more success if you do it during the evenings. During the daytime, these animals have a tendency to hide out in the depths so you probably won’t see much of your pet.
One of our favorite things about the axolotl is that owners can train it into eating a plethora of different foods. They are well known for enjoying a variety of human foods, but it is important to be mindful of what you are giving your pet. For example, it is perfectly OK to give an axolotl foods such as raw beef including liver and heart as well as lamb. But these should be fresh cuts and never prepackaged mincemeat as this may contain preservatives which could cause problems for your axolotl.
Some people train their axolotls to eat cat food which is an affordable and nutritious choice. But there are also a wide range of foods designed specifically for these animals, and we will dive into this in a little more detail later on.
When it comes to mealtimes, a lot of people make the mistake of simply throwing food into the tank and letting the axolotl feat by itself. While this is OK, it can get messy and it doesn’t give you much of an opportunity to bond with your pet; as far as these types of animals can bond, anyway!
No, a better method of feeding is to hand feed your axolotl. You can do this by cutting up your chosen food into strips that measure around 3cm x 1.5cm and offering these pieces to your pet using blunt forceps. It is important to keep in mind that, if you keep more than one axolotl in a tank, there is a risk of aggression surrounding meal times so hand feeding them this way will vastyl eliminate the problems. Furthermore, allowing a feeding frenzy could result in the axolotls attempting to eat one another!
It is also a good idea to consider how much you are feeding your axolotl. These animals do not need feeding every day. In fact, an axolotl may only need to have a meal two times a week; three at a push. The reason for this is that their digestive systems work much more slowly than ours and so it can take a couple of days for them to digest their meals. That said, the speed of their digestion also depends on the temperature. If this falls below 10º then the axolotl will regurgitate its meal. On the other hand, if the temperature gets too high then digestion will speed up and the animal will become hungrier more quickly.
Any leftover food can be frozen until you need it but if you are offering a diet of mainly beef or lamb then it is important to also provide your pet with a multivitamin to ensure that it is getting all of the correct nutrients.
What Are The Best Axolotl Foods?
If you don’t like the idea of having to cut up meat for your axolotl then there are plenty of other options out there. For example, in the wild, the axolotl enjoys a variety of invertebrates and worms and these types of foods are readily available in pet stores and all across the internet. But as with anything, there are some foods that are better than others and if you want to make sure that your axolotl is getting everything it needs, nutritionally speaking, then it pays to research the best products.
Fortunately, we have been taking a look at some of these ourselves and as such, have been able to put together a list of our top picks.
African Nightcrawlers 600 Live Worms
There are a number of different worms that are suitable for axolotls but offering live food is often thought to be best as it better replicates the situation they would find themselves in in the wild. Bear in mind that these live worms may not be available in all areas and in this case, there are restrictions for buyers in Hawaii.
The worms come in packs of 600 and these are one of the largest species of worms that are suitable for feeding to axolotls. They can grow up to 8 inches so you may need to cut them up before offering them at mealtimes.
Tetra Bloodworms
As one of the most reputable aquatic food brands, we felt confident that these bloodworms from Tetra were a good choice for our axolotls. Now, you absolutely must keep in mind that, due to their smaller size, you will need to offer more of these to your pet. But being made specifically for aquatic life, they contain all of the nutrients your pet needs.
The bloodworm, however, may not contain as many nutrients as other types of the worm so many people opt to give these as an occasional treat. Moreover, they are incredibly good for juvenile axolotls so may be considered in the early days of owning your pet.
Invert Aquatics Axolotl Feeding Starter Kit
When you first get your pet, you are going to need to make sure that you have everything you need and this starter kit is…well, a great place to start! It comes with everything you need for mealtimes including a bag of soft pellets that are perfect for younger axolotls. These pellets can be added to the tank without hand feeding although you can use this method if you prefer. They have a strong scent so there is no worry that your pet won’t be able to locate them.
You also get a net, thermometer, and feeding tweezers to make mealtimes a cinch. And if all of that wasn’t even, the manufacturer has even thrown in some faux greenery to spice up the look of your tank.
Zilla Reptile Food Munchies River Shrimp
If you are looking to give your axolotl a more varied diet then these river shrimp make a great treat. They can be used as an occasional snack or maybe offered alongside other foods to give your pet that additional variety.
They are dried and so can be placed straight into the water without the worry of a mess or training your pet into hand feeding. They offer a quick and convenient way to make sure that your axolotl is getting everything he needs. The shrimp come in a large bag so if you are looking for excellent value for money, you’ll find it here.
Foods To Avoid Giving Your Axolotl
Nobody wants to cause harm to their pet but there are some foods that a lot of owners believe will be beneficial when in reality, they may do more harm than good. For example, mealworms are widely used for many exotic animals and so you might think that they are suitable also for the axolotl, but the opposite is true. These worms contain chitin which is a chemical compound that is very difficult for an axolotl to digest and so should be avoided at all costs.
It is also important to stay away from foods that are high in fat and definitely do not offer oil-based foods. The same can be said for water-based foods which could cause sickness in your axolotl so steer clear of these too.
Conclusion
Axolotls are incredibly special pets but they also require very specific care and this includes making sure that they have a good diet. But this may not be as complex as you first think because these animals are very versatile eaters. In the wild, they will feed on pretty much anything that is small enough to be swallowed whole so this makes feeding them as pets very easy.
While it is possible to give your axolotl a range of human foods such as diced lamb liver or beef, there are also a great range of prepackaged foods like bloodworms, shrimp, and even pellets. No matter what you decide to offer your pet, we think that your axolotl will love our top picks!
