Why Is My Axolotl Spitting Out Food?
Axolotls spit out food when pieces are too large, the texture feels wrong, or the water temperature is off. They also reject food that tastes bad or smells unfamiliar. Most of the time, your axolotl is just testing the food or trying to reposition it for a better grip. Cut food into smaller pieces and make sure your tank stays between 60-64°F for the best feeding response.
Understanding Your Axolotl’s Eating Habits
Axolotls don’t chew food like we do. They use suction to pull meals into their mouths, then swallow everything whole. When something feels too big or awkward to swallow safely, they spit it back out and try again from a different angle.
This behavior looks alarming the first time you see it, but it’s completely normal. Your axolotl isn’t sick or rejecting the food permanently. They’re just being picky about how they eat, which shows good survival instincts.
Temperature plays a bigger role than most people realize. When water gets too warm (above 70°F), axolotls lose their appetite dramatically. Their metabolism slows down as a protective measure, and food becomes less appealing. Check your thermometer before assuming there’s a problem with the meal itself.
New foods take time to accept. If you’ve recently switched from earthworms to pellets or introduced frozen shrimp, expect some hesitation. Axolotls are creatures of habit who prefer familiar smells and textures. Give them a week or two to adjust before deciding the new food isn’t working.
Sometimes they’re simply full. Overfeeding leads to rejection because their stomachs can only hold so much. Adults need food every 2-3 days, not daily meals like younger ones.
What You Can Do to Help
Size your portions correctly. Food pieces should be no bigger than the space between your axolotl’s eyes. Anything larger becomes difficult to manage and usually gets spit out multiple times before they give up entirely.
Soften hard pellets by soaking them in tank water for a minute. Dry pellets have a strange texture that some axolotls refuse to accept. Soaked pellets feel closer to the soft-bodied prey they’d eat in nature.
Check for mouth injuries or infections. Red, swollen gums or visible cuts make eating painful. If your axolotl consistently spits out all types of food for several days straight, examine their mouth carefully under good lighting.
Move slowly during feeding time. Sudden movements startle them and interrupt their focus. Let the food settle near them naturally rather than dropping it directly on their head.
Test the food yourself for odd smells. Spoiled earthworms or freezer-burned fish taste terrible and get rejected immediately. Fresh, high-quality food always gets a better reception.
Questions About Spitting Food
Is it bad if my axolotl spits food three or four times? Not at all. They often need several tries to get a good grip on their meal.
Should I remove food they’ve spit out? Only if they ignore it after five minutes. Otherwise, let them try again on their own terms.
Can stress cause food spitting? Yes. Loud noises, bright lights, or aggressive tank mates all reduce appetite and cause rejection.
What if they swallow and then spit it out later? That suggests the food is spoiled or has a bad taste. Toss it and offer something fresh.
