AXOLOTL NUTRITION
Axolotls are carnivores, meaning they eat a meat based diet. Their teeth are designed more for gripping than tearing, so much of their food will be swallowed whole. Adult axolotls will eat live or dead food. The movement of live food like a worm is a great stimulus for the your axolotl, in fact newly hatched axolotls will only respond to live food. Earthworms are an excellent staple food for adult axolotls, but be sure to get them from a source that doesn't use chemicals, such as an organic garden. Another option it to raise them yourself if you have the room. Other food options can include, bloodworms, blackworms, and soft axolotl pellets. Shrimp and beef heart may be provided infrequently as a treat, though we usually recommend avoiding these as a staple in their diet. Tubifex worms and whiteworms are not recommended due to their high oil content and lack of nutritional value.
Axolotls under 6 inches in length will most comfortably comsume bloodworms, blackworms and small sinking pellets. As your axolotl grows in size, so should their food. Earthworms, or European Nightcrawlers are the most nutritionally balanced options for adult axolotls. Red Wigglers are another commonly found choice, however some species of red worms produce a bitter slime when stressed causing the axolotls to spit out the worm. This problem can be avoided by first blanching the red worms in hot water to remove the bitter slime (Note: please let the worms cool before feeding). It is important to note that any water-based live foods can carry parasites and other diseases and should therefore be sourced from fish-free waters.
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Axolotls take 2-3 days to digest their food, therefore feeding every other day is typically recommended for adults. Young axolotls may be fed every day as long as the amount per feeding is lowered.
