When you are a die-hard fan of axolotls, you may feel hungry to know all about them, including their nutritional needs and food source.
So what do axolotl eat in the wild and as pets? Axolotls are carnivorous predators, feeding primarily on small aquatic invertebrates such as worms, insect larvae, and crustaceans.
Interestingly, in the wild, axolotls are an essential part of the food chain.
But, their diet can vary regarding the aquarium settings. Let’s have a peek at this topic!
Contents
What Do Axolotl Eat In The Wild And As A Pet?
Axolotls, in the wild, can consume meaty things, including worms, insects, snails, slugs, small fish, mosquito larvae, and even tiny salamanders and frog tadpoles.
Meanwhile, earthworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, tubifex, and earthworms, are good to go for captive individuals.
In The Wild
Axolotls can clamp down on their food with their primitive teeth, but they cannot eat or tear it.
That’s why you’ll never see an axolotl masticating its food. Instead, axolotls expand their mouths wide when eating and take a big gulp of water along with their meal.
They can’t chew but have to swallow everything whole. In other words, they can only eat manageable foods in size and shape for their mouths.
Because of their nocturnal lifestyle, axolotls spend the daytime hours submerged and wait for the evening to go hunting. The same occurs with axolotls kept in aquariums.
As Pets
Overall, its requirements for food are different in the wild and in captivity due to the food source.
Earthworms (nightcrawlers) are nutritious, but they should ideally come from chemical-free organic gardens.
Also, aquatic food, including brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, blackworms, tubifex, and earthworms, is beneficial.
Be cautious when feeding your axolotls anything that lives in or near water since these foods may harbor parasites or diseases.
Just rely on things from fish stores or cultivating your own cultures.
Freeze-dried food is another option. It lacks the nutritional content of fresh food, but it does not contain parasites or diseases.
Since axolotls wouldn’t usually have exposure to beef hearts in the wild, we wouldn’t suggest it as a staple in their diet but rather as a treat once in a while.
Sinking soft salmon pellets are also great as they’re nutrient-dense and more convenient to find.
How Does the Axolotl Eat Food?
An axolotl’s keen sense of smell allows it to quickly find food in the murky depths of a river or lake.
When it finds fish or other marine edible creatures, it uses its powerful vacuum force to pull the meal into its mouth.
They often take deep breaths of gravel all at once. The grinding action aids digestion by breaking down food in the animal’s stomach. The teeth themselves are tiny and vestigial.
As stated, this animal is a nocturnal predator that spends the day hiding in the mud and plants along the water’s edge. Birds like storks, herons, and larger fish, are among their most prevalent predators in their natural habitat.
Historically, there were few top predators of an axolotl in the wild.
Nevertheless, introducing new species of fish (such as African or Nile tilapia and Asian carp) for aquaculture reasons and poaching by humans have led to a dramatic reduction in axolotl numbers.
What Not To Feed Axolotls?
Hard Fish Pellets
Axolotls can eat pellets, much like other tank pets. But hard candies pose a health risk to pets and should be avoided at all costs.
Choose soft pellets that are high in protein. The protein content of the pellet should be at least 40%.
Anything With A Hard Surface
Avoid giving them anything with a tough exoskeleton and food containing preservatives, though a few wild axolotls may consume crabs and other tiny crustaceans.
While you keep one as a pet, you shouldn’t give it any hard shellfish or crabs. Since axolotls lack the strong teeth necessary to chew these creatures correctly, they are incredibly challenging to digest.
If not, your pet may develop gastrointestinal issues, including indigestion.
Mealworms
Even though mealworms are commonly given to exotic pets, axolotls should not be fed.
Chitin, a fibrous material found in mealworms, forms the rigid exoskeleton of insects and other animals.
Moreover, axolotls should only eat something that has a moderate consistency.
Processed Food
Processed meats and other foods that include preservatives top the list. Axolotls only eat living things, so don’t try to feed them anything canned or preserved.
The processed food they eat is likely to be full of substances that are bad for them.
Pro Tips For Feeding Axolotls
Notice Them When Feeding To Avoid Mess.
Most axolotls won’t bother eating anything that isn’t wriggling or moving in some way.
Consequently, you must keep an eye on them as they eat, especially if you provide them with a non-living food source.
Feed Them Separately With Other Fish.
It’s best to keep these pets in a tank alone, apart from other fish, as fish can enjoy the axolotl’s intended diet.
Of note, do not house axolotls along with feeder fish. Fish of this kind may also provide a parasite risk to your beloved ones.
Be Careful With The Living Organisms.
Axolotls typically eat bugs like nightcrawlers. Still, you should check that they are organically obtained so that no toxins have been added.
Change The Food Type To Their Liking.
Appetite loss in axolotls can occur for many reasons. If this persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to alter your diet.
Try feeding them a new food type they’re unfamiliar with and see if they eat it.
Conclusion
What do axolotl eat in the wild? Axolotls are carnivores, meaning that they feed mainly on a diet of small insects, worms, and even small fish.
They also eat other aquatic animals, such as crustaceans, mollusks, and amphibians.
Despite their small size, these salamanders have a surprisingly large appetite and can consume food up to three times their body weight each day.
Now that you’ve learned some exciting insights for pets. Share this post with other pet owners if needed!
