Feeding your axolotl

You are going to want to feed your axolotl mostly staple foods, treats are ok on occasion.  All of our axolotls are raised mainly on live foods.  We also feed salmon pellets when they reach 3 inches, most of our axolotls are able to eat both live and non live foods by the time you bring them home.  

Staple foods: 

• European nightcrawlers - these are different from Canadian nightcrawlers, they are smaller and less messy.  Your best bet to buy any type of live worm is a business who sells live fishing bait or a pet supply store. We do offer these on our website for local pickup only.  
• Earthworms - do not get them from outside!  They can carry parasites and or contaminates unsafe for your axolotl.  
• Red wigglers - these do produce a bitter slim that may cause your axolotl to spit them out.  If your axolotl does not like them can cull them before feeding (run warm water over the worms so that they are no longer alive and can not produce this.)
• Live black worms - you may be able to find these at a pet supply store, but most commonly they need to be ordered online and shipped to you overnight.  We occasionally have small amounts in stock for local pickup, please send us a message if interested. 
• Salmon pellets made especially for axolotls - If you choose to feed pellets, ensure that they do not contain land animals or an abundance of plant material.   We do have a great source for high quality soft sinking salmon pellets on our website.!
• Repashy grub pie can also be used, but I will warn you it can be messy.
• Treats:
  • Blood worms, Brine shrimp, Wax worms, Butter worms, Black soldier fly larvae, Raw shrimp, Raw salmon

Feeding notes:

• It is always good practice to remove any uneaten food before it fouls up the water, pellets and non live foods need to be removed sooner than live foods.  Most worms will stay alive in the water for a fair amount of time before they die and mold.  
• If you use feeding tongs it is highly recommended to use those with rubber tips.  We have seen axolotls be injured on metal feeding tongs in social media groups.
• If you start noticing extra cloudy water or a lot of detritus worms or snails in your tank it is a sign you may be over feeding.  It is a good idea to cut back the amount of food you are feeding your axolotl, the uneaten food is a major cause for these things and not to mention can negatively affect your water parameters.
• Some axolotls eat more than others, so you will need to feel out your axolotl and adjust your feeding amount and schedule accordingly.

If you choose to feed live worms, which we highly recommend, having a worm farm is a great investment.  You can make an easy DIY worm farm or, a fellow breeder sells worm farms on her site:   https://themottledlotl.com/worm-farms/