Axolotl Diet and Nutritional Science
Axolotls are strictly carnivorous amphibians. Their diet must evolve as they grow from tiny larvae to heavy-bodied adults.
The Carnivorous Imperative
Axolotls lack true teeth for chewing; instead, they possess tiny, cone-shaped teeth designed for gripping prey. They consume their food whole by creating a sudden vacuum, inhaling water and prey simultaneously.
Their digestive tracts are short and designed exclusively for processing meat. They cannot digest plant matter, and feeding them vegetables or fruits will cause severe gastrointestinal distress.
Diet by Life Stage
Larvae & Babies (Under 3 inches)
Newly hatched axolotls require live, moving food to trigger their hunting instinct. They must be fed 1-2 times daily.
- Live Baby Brine Shrimp (BBS): The gold standard for newly hatched larvae. Highly nutritious.
- Live Daphnia (Water Fleas): Excellent secondary option, slightly larger than BBS.
- Microworms: Suitable for the very earliest stages.
Juveniles (3 to 5 inches)
As they grow, their mouths become large enough to accept more substantial prey. Feed once daily.
- Frozen Bloodworms: The primary staple for this stage. Thaw in tank water before feeding. (Note: These lack the complete nutrition required for adults).
- Chopped Earthworms: Begin introducing small pieces of earthworms to transition them to their adult diet.
- Live Blackworms: Highly nutritious, but can be difficult to source and keep clean.
Adults (Over 5-6 inches)
Adult axolotls require nutrient-dense, whole prey. Their metabolism slows down, so feeding is typically reduced to every 2-3 days.
- Earthworms (Nightcrawlers): The absolute best, most nutritionally complete staple diet. They provide the perfect ratio of protein, fat, and calcium.
- Dendrobaena Worms (Red Wigglers): Excellent alternative to earthworms. Some axolotls dislike their bitter secretion; blanching them quickly in hot water can help.
- High-Quality Carnivore Pellets: (e.g., Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets or Rangen Salmon Pellets). Good for supplementing the diet or when live worms are unavailable.
Dangerous Foods to Avoid
Toxic and Harmful Diets
- Mammalian Meat (Beef heart, chicken): Axolotls cannot digest the complex fats and proteins found in warm-blooded animals. This leads to severe organ failure.
- Hard-Exoskeleton Insects (Mealworms, Superworms, Crickets): The chitin in their exoskeletons is indigestible and poses a severe impaction risk.
- Feeder Fish (Goldfish, Minnows): High risk of transmitting parasites and diseases. Many feeder fish also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys Vitamin B1, leading to neurological issues.