After keeping axolotls for three years, I’ve learned exactly what these underwater salamanders need to stay healthy. Let me share what actually works, based on real experience with my own axolotls.

The Quick Answer: What Axolotls Eat

Axolotls are carnivores. They eat live prey, frozen foods, and protein-rich options. Here’s what I feed mine:

Primary foods:

• Earthworms (nightcrawlers)
• Blackworms
• Bloodworms (frozen or live)
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Pellets made for axolotls

The best food? Earthworms. My axolotls go crazy for them, and these worms pack tons of nutrition.

What Does an Axolotl Eat in the Wild?

In their natural habitat in Mexico, wild axolotls hunt small fish, worms, insect larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks. They’re opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat whatever moves and fits in their mouth.

Understanding their wild diet helped me create better feeding routines at home. These creatures have poor eyesight but incredible smell detection. They sense movement in the water and snap at anything that wiggles.

Best Foods for Pet Axolotls (Ranked by My Experience)

1. Earthworms (Red Wigglers or Nightcrawlers)

This is my go-to food. Cut large worms into smaller pieces for younger axolotls. Adult axolotls can eat whole worms. I buy mine from bait shops or raise them in a worm bin.

Why earthworms work so well: High protein, easy to digest, affordable, and axolotls love chasing them.

2. Bloodworms

Frozen bloodworms saved me during busy weeks. Just thaw a cube in tank water and drop it in. Baby axolotls especially benefit from bloodworms since the pieces are small enough for their mouths.

Warning: Bloodworms alone don’t provide complete nutrition. Use them as treats or supplements.

3. Pellets

I use Hikari sinking carnivore pellets. Soak them in water for a few minutes before feeding. Some axolotls ignore pellets at first, but mine learned to eat them within a week.

The trick? Wave pellets near their nose using tweezers until they grab it.

4. Blackworms

Live blackworms trigger strong hunting responses. My axolotls get excited when I drop these in. Buy them from fish stores or order online. Keep blackworms in the fridge between feedings.

5. Brine Shrimp

Good for baby axolotls but not filling enough for adults. Think of brine shrimp like popcorn – fun to eat but not a complete meal.

Foods Axolotls Should Never Eat

After three years, I’ve learned what causes problems:

Feeder fish – They carry diseases and parasites. Plus, fish bones can cause impaction. I stopped using feeder fish after my first axolotl got sick.

Insects with hard shells – Beetles or crickets with tough exoskeletons are hard to digest.

Processed human food – Never feed them chicken, beef, or pork. Their digestive system can’t handle it.

Wild-caught prey – Worms from your garden might have pesticides or parasites.

How Much and How Often to Feed

Baby axolotls (under 6 inches): Feed daily. They need lots of protein to grow.

Adult axolotls (over 6 inches): Feed every 2-3 days. I feed mine every other day.

Portion size: Give them what they can eat in 10-15 minutes. Remove uneaten food to keep water clean.

My 9-inch adult axolotl eats two large earthworms per feeding. Your axolotl’s appetite might differ based on temperature and activity level.

Feeding Tips That Actually Work

Use feeding tongs or tweezers. This keeps your hands clean and lets you place food right in front of their face. Axolotls have terrible aim when striking.

Feed at the same time each day. My axolotls wait near the surface during feeding time. Routines reduce stress.

Watch for gulping air. When axolotls eat pellets at the surface, they swallow air. This makes them float awkwardly. Sinking food prevents this problem.

Refrigerate live food properly. Blackworms and earthworms last weeks in the fridge. Change their water every few days.

Signs Your Axolotl Is Eating Right

Healthy, well-fed axolotls show these signs:

• Thick, round body (not skinny)
• Active swimming and exploring
• Regular pooping (yes, you’ll see this)
• Bright colors and healthy-looking gills

Underfed axolotls look thin behind their head and have a curved spine. Overfed ones get round bellies and stop moving much.

What to Do If Your Axolotl Won’t Eat

This happens sometimes. Here’s my troubleshooting process:

Check water temperature. Axolotls stop eating when water gets above 70°F (21°C). They prefer 60-64°F (16-18°C).

Test water quality. High ammonia or nitrites kill appetite. Do a 25% water change and test again.

Try different foods. My picky eater ignored pellets but devoured earthworms.

Give them time. New axolotls often don’t eat for a few days while adjusting. Don’t panic unless they refuse food for a week.

Feeding Baby Axolotls vs Adults

Baby axolotls need more frequent meals. I fed mine live blackworms and baby brine shrimp twice daily until they reached 3 inches.

At 3-6 inches, switch to once-daily feeding with bloodworms or small earthworm pieces.

Adults only need food every 2-3 days. Overfeeding adults causes fatty liver disease and shorter lifespans.

Building a Feeding Schedule That Works

Here’s my proven weekly schedule for an adult axolotl:

• Monday: Two earthworms
• Wednesday: Skip (fasting day)
• Friday: Pellets or bloodworms
• Sunday: One large earthworm

This rotation provides variety while preventing overfeeding. Adjust based on your axolotl’s appetite and size.

Where to Buy Quality Axolotl Food

Earthworms: Local bait shops or Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm online

Pellets: Pet stores or Amazon (look for Hikari or Rangen brands)

Frozen bloodworms: Any fish store

Live blackworms: Specialty aquarium stores or online retailers

I spend about $15 monthly on food for one adult axolotl. Raising your own earthworms cuts costs dramatically.

20 Common Questions About What Axolotls Eat

1. Can axolotls eat regular fish food?

No. Regular fish flakes or tropical fish pellets don’t have enough protein. Use carnivore pellets made specifically for axolotls or salamanders.

2. Do axolotls eat their own poop?

Sometimes, yes. They might nibble it out of curiosity but usually spit it out. Remove poop during tank maintenance to keep water clean.

3. Can I feed my axolotl once a week?

Not recommended. Adults need food every 2-3 days. Weekly feeding leaves them malnourished and weak.

4. Will axolotls eat dead food?

Yes, but only if it moves. Drop frozen bloodworms near them or wiggle food with tweezers. They won’t eat food sitting still on the bottom.

5. Can axolotls eat shrimp from the grocery store?

Raw shrimp works occasionally, but cut it into small pieces. Never use cooked, seasoned, or frozen shrimp with additives. Plain raw shrimp only.

6. Do axolotls need vitamins or supplements?

Not if you feed varied diet of worms and quality pellets. These foods contain everything they need. Supplements can actually harm them.

7. Can baby axolotls eat the same food as adults?

No. Babies need smaller food like baby brine shrimp, daphnia, or chopped bloodworms. Whole earthworms are too large until they reach 4-5 inches.

8. Why does my axolotl spit out food?

Three reasons: Food is too big, water temperature is wrong, or they’re not hungry. Try smaller pieces and check that water stays between 60-68°F.

9. Can axolotls eat mealworms?

Not recommended. Mealworm shells are hard to digest and can cause blockages. Stick with soft-bodied worms like earthworms.

10. How long can axolotls go without food?

Adults can survive 2-3 weeks without eating, but this stresses them. Never leave them unfed for more than a week unless medically necessary.

11. Do axolotls eat plants or algae?

No. They’re pure carnivores. They might bite plants out of curiosity but can’t digest them. They need meat-based protein.

12. Can I feed my axolotl every day?

Only if it’s a baby under 6 inches. Adult axolotls fed daily become overweight and develop health problems. Every 2-3 days is perfect.

13. Will axolotls eat other axolotls?

Yes, they can be cannibalistic, especially when hungry or if tank mates are much smaller. Keep similar-sized axolotls together and feed them regularly.

14. Can axolotls eat frozen bloodworms straight from the freezer?

Never. Always thaw bloodworms in tank water first. Frozen food can damage their digestive system and lower their body temperature.

15. Do axolotls recognize their owners during feeding?

They recognize feeding time and movement patterns. Mine swim to the front when I approach with food. They associate people with meals.

16. Can axolotls eat red wigglers or just nightcrawlers?

Both work great. Red wigglers are smaller and better for young axolotls. Nightcrawlers are larger and perfect for adults. I use both.

17. Why does my axolotl swim to the surface during feeding?

They’re excited or searching for food. Some learn that food comes from above. This is normal behavior, but avoid feeding too much at the surface to prevent air gulping.

18. Can I catch worms from my yard to feed axolotls?

Risky. Garden worms might have pesticides, fertilizers, or parasites. Buy worms from reptile suppliers or bait shops that sell pesticide-free options.

19. Do axolotls need to eat every single day like fish?

No. Their metabolism is slower than fish. Overfeeding causes more problems than underfeeding. Adults thrive on every-other-day feeding schedules.

20. What happens if I accidentally overfeed my axolotl?

One overfeed won’t hurt them. They might have a large poop or refuse food next time. Regular overfeeding causes obesity, fatty liver disease, and shorter lifespan.

The Bottom Line on Axolotl Diet

What do axolotls eat? Primarily worms, with variety from pellets and other protein sources. After caring for these animals for three years, I’ve found that earthworms form the perfect diet base, supplemented with pellets and occasional bloodworms.

Keep water cool, maintain a regular feeding schedule, and watch your axolotl’s body condition. These simple steps ensure your underwater pet stays healthy for 10-15 years.

The most common confusion I see comes from people treating axolotls like fish. Remember: they’re amphibians with unique needs. Feed them high-protein carnivore food, skip the daily feedings once they’re adults, and you’ll have a happy, healthy pet for over a decade.