Axolotls are often termed "walking fish" and possess very weirdly looking amphibians with the tendency of regenerating. While these can be a sight to behold as pets, diet has been one of the essential deciding factors that affect the health as well as life expectancy. An axolotl or one who's going to bring it home would need to know how one feeds an axolotl.
Axolotls' Natural Diet
Axolotls are basically carnivorous. They swim in lakes and canals, and their food intake will mainly consist of other small creatures in the water. Their list includes worms, insects, smaller fish, and even minor crustaceans. This all will make them grow, reproduce, and be healthy animals.
Feeding Axolotls in Captivity
For keeping axolotls as pets, their diet must closely resemble an axolotl's natural eating habits. The key aspects of a good diet for axolotls are discussed below:
Live Food
Live food is the ideal choice for axolotls as it replicates their actual hunting behavior. Here is a list of popular live foods:
Earthworms: Earthworms are a staple food and well-nourished as they are easily available in this regard.
Bloodworms: Frozen or even live for the young axolotls
Brine Shrimp: These are excellent for younger axolotls, as they have a lower density and are easier consumed
Frozen or Prepared Food
The majority of hobbyists will use frozen or prepared foods due to the ease of feeding:
Frozen Bloodworms: Frozen bloodworms can be found with little hassle. Place these in a way that can thaw easily whenever feeding time is necessary.
Pellets: Axolotl pellets are very nutritious. Protein type especially made for carnivorous aquatic animals.
Frozen Fish: Small pieces of frozen fish, for instance, tilapia should be fed from time to time.
Food to Avoid
Not everything can be fed to axolotls. Axolotls should not be given with:
Raw Meat: No matter how appealing it may seem, raw meat lacks nutrients which axolotls require and disintegrates quickly.
Rough or Chubby Foods: Axolotls do not have the teeth to chew so food should be soft and in appropriate size.
Feeder Fish: They might harbor a few of the parasites and diseases that could affect your axolotl.
Plant-Based Foods: Axolotls are flesh eaters and they cannot digest plant matter.
Feeding Axolotls
Axolotls feeding pattern differs with age
Juveniles: Axolotls must feed daily since the growth rate is high
Adults: Feed axolotls for 2-3 days.
Observe: Food that has not been eaten needs to be siphoned after 10-15 minutes. The water should always remain crystal clear.
Water Quality while feeding
This quality of water in an axolotl's tank is a result of feeding. The food residue starts decomposing and will have spikes of ammonia, which can be dangerous for axolotls. The aquarium needs to be constantly cleaned with good filtration system so that safe and healthy water is ensured.
Can Axolotls Eat Human Food?
Axolotls must not be fed with human food, bread or cheese, or even packaged snack. These are not part of their dieting in the wild and make them sick or killed out by digestive issues. Feeds should be on foods especially marketed for aquatic pets or duplicating their wild diet.
Feeding Axolotls Safely
The Axolotls easily feed but with caution to:
- Feed using tongs directly.
- Feed them with suitable and sized food to avoid their choking.
- Observe the feeding habits of your axolotl to know its interest and appetite.
Conclusion
Axolotls are weird pets and need a specialized input in diet-related problems. You can feed them live, frozen, or prepared foods to keep them healthy and in good condition while held captive. If you don't give them some of the inappropriate foods and the time spent on feeding them is routine, then you will love your axolotl for life.
Commonly Asked Questions
How much do axolotls consume in one day?
Feed juveniles: give them earthworms, bloodworms or brine shrimp. Feed the adults 2-3 days after feeding the same diet.
Do axolotls eat fruits or vegetables?
Axolotls are carnivorous; hence they cannot digest any food taken from plants.
Is it safe to feed live fish to axolotls?
Feeder fish is to be avoided as they have many chances of containing a disease or a parasite in it
How to know that my axolotl is hungry?
The hungry make them active, and also take axolotls to the source of food.