Best Axolotl Foods of 2024 (Invert Aquatics, Hikari, and More)
If it's your first time owning the exquisite axolotl, you're probably wondering what these walking fishes eat. Do you go for flakes? Or maybe pellets? Axolotls are amphibians that mostly eat worms and small insects in the wild, but they primarily consume food in pellet or frozen forms in captivity.
We've researched the best axolotl food available today that caters to all life stages of your new pet. After thorough research, we picked Invert Aquatics' Soft Pellets for Axolotls as our top favorite for its nutritious and moisture-rich sinking pellets. Read on to see nine other great options we've included in our list. You'll also see a handy buying guide that will help you learn more about your axolotl and what kind of food is best for them!
Quick List - Top Axolotl Foods
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How to Choose Axolotl Food - Buying Guide
The main factors to consider when buying food for your axolotl are type and age range suitability. Take a look at the buying guide below to learn more about the important aspects to remember.
Pick Among Pellets, Frozen, or Live Food
An axolotl, commonly referred to as a Mexican salamander or Mexican walking fish, is an amphibian that feasts on worms, insects, and small fish out in the wild. The first factor to keep in mind when purchasing food for your new amphibian is the food type: pellets, frozen, or live.
Pellets Are Easy to Feed to Your Axolotl
Pellets are the easiest type of food to feed an axolotl. Pellets are easily accessible and widely sold in many pet stores. If you decide to feed your axolotl pellets, make sure to check the back for the ingredients. Since axolotls are carnivores, always go for high-protein pellets - preferably 40 percent or higher - that are low in fat.
Pellets are mainly sold in two types: small or sinking pellets. Small pellets are best for young and juvenile axolotls because their mouths are still tiny, and they will have a hard time digesting larger pellets.
On the other hand, larger sinking pellets are perfect for larger axolotls who like to sit and hang at the bottom of a tank, a common trait for axolotls of all ages. Unlike fish, an axolotl doesn't swim to the tank’s surface to feed. Sinking pellets are perfect because your axolotl can take their time eating at the bottom of the tank.
However, it can be challenging to find sinking pellets as most are sold as floaters. In cases like these, you will have to slightly dissolve the floating pellets in a dish and use a turkey baster to manually squeeze the pellets into the tank. Regardless of the pellet type, you can keep your tank from getting dirty by removing any uneaten pellets.
If you started feeding your axolotl worms and other live food, it might be challenging to switch to this diet. Pellets are generally not as healthy as living food, but some pet owners decide on pellets because they are easier to use and more accessible.
Frozen Food Is Easy to Store and Nutritious
Other popular axolotl foods are frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Frozen food is highly nutritious and a great alternative to living food.
Frozen bloodworms are commonly fed to young and growing axolotls because they are rich in protein, which helps them grow strong and healthy. However, this food might lack nutrients for older axolotls.
This frozen delicacy comes in either sheets or cubes. Bloodworms are easy to store and can last a long time in the freezer. However, be sure to thaw out the cubes before you give them to your salamander.
However, frozen bloodworms aren't as straightforward as pellets and can get a bit messy. You will also have to take extra care in cleaning out your tank's water because bloodworms leave behind tiny microscopic organisms that build up over time on your axolotl's gills, causing some discomfort.
Frozen brine shrimp are tasty, and they are rich in protein, fatty acids, and vitamins. This frozen food only comes in cubes and should also be thawed before being fed. You might also need to use a turkey baster to help get the food down to the bottom of the tank. Frozen brine shrimp can also get messy and require extra cleaning.
Live Food Mimics an Axolotl’s Diet in the Wild
Lastly, if you want to mimic an axolotl’s diet in the wild, you can feed them live worms and small crustaceans such as daphnia and brine shrimp. Some popular worms you can give your pet amphibian are nightcrawlers and black or white worms.
Live nightcrawlers sit on the top of an axolotl’s favorite food list. These worms are highly nutritious, can be cultured, and are best fed to adult axolotls. A downside to this diet is the messy preparation; you must thoroughly wash the worms to remove the soil. Some worms can also get quite large and will need to be cut into smaller pieces.
If you are unable to find nightcrawlers, a great alternative is black and white worms. These worms are healthy replacements to nightcrawlers and smaller in size, making them perfect for younger axolotls. However, you’ll also need to clean your tank’s water frequently, and feeding can get quite messy as well.
Daphnia, small planktonic crustaceans, and brine shrimp are also a staple live food for axolotls. Daphnias and brine shrimp are the best food option for baby and juvenile axolotls because of their minuscule size and nutrition.
In terms of nutrition for younger axolotls, daphnias are more nutritious because they do not contain salt like brine shrimp. A large intake of salty food is unhealthy for axolotls and can irritate their gills and sensitive skin.
However, brine shrimp can be fed to young and old axolotls, while daphnias are only best for young axolotls due to their size and nutrition.
Consider Your Axolotl’s Age
The next factor to keep in mind before buying food for your axolotl is their age. Once a baby axolotl hatches from its egg sack, you will have to wait 24 hours before feeding it. During this time, your axolotl is still consuming its egg sack.
After, you should only provide baby axolotls live food once a day. Pellets are not recommended for babies because they can not digest them yet.
Adult axolotls, which are around six to 18 inches long, only need to be fed every two to three days in small portions. Adult axolotls can even survive up to two weeks without any food! Once an axolotl matures, you can switch to pellets or stick to live or frozen food.
A young axolotl has bad eyesight until they mature, so they can't recognize dead or frozen food or pellets. Instead, they can only eat live food, like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and micro worms. The older your axolotl grows, the larger the prey they can handle.
Get Additional Tools To Make Feeding Easier
An axolotl’s teeth are short and primarily used for gripping on their food rather than biting or tearing them apart. During mealtimes, axolotls suck their food in one swoop as a whole. If the food is too large to swallow, axolotls tend to give up and spit out the food or, in worst-case scenarios, choke on the food. You may need to cut up their food.
Long aquarium plant tweezers are must-have tools for axolotl parents. With one, you can quickly grab your axolotl’s food and feed it directly to your pet. Be sure to get tweezers that don’t have sharp edges to avoid injuring your axolotl.
Next, you can use a turkey baster to feed pellets and other food to your axolotl. You can also use this to suck up leftover food in the tank for a stress-free clean-up.
The last convenient tools you can get are plastic cups or mini dishes that you’ll leave inside the fish tank. You can use these to lessen the mess axolotls make when eating by providing them with a designated eating spot.
Avoid Freeze-Dried Food, Fish Flakes, and Creatures With Hard Exoskeletons
You should not feed your aquatic salamanders freeze-dried food, fish flakes, and any creatures with hard exoskeletons.
Freeze-dried foods are not that nutritious for axolotls because it loses its nutrition during the freezing process. Some freeze-dried food to steer away from are dried bloodworms. It's best not to even give these as snacks to your axolotls as it could lead to an imbalance in their nutrition and, even worse, make your axolotl sick.
Many new axolotl parents make a common mistake of thinking axolotls are fish and eat fish food, like flakes. Axolotls are not fish even though they spend most of their days underwater; they should not be fed food aimed towards fish.
Instead, it would be best if you only focused on food aimed at amphibians. For example, many fish flakes contain a lot of plant-based ingredients. These types of food will not meet the needs of a carnivorous axolotl.
Lastly, as much as possible, avoid feeding your axolotl any creatures with a hard exoskeleton. Axolotls can not digest exoskeletons and will need medical attention if fed creatures like mealworms or krill.
10 Best Axolotl Foods
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Recommended Age | Amount | |||||
1 | Invert Aquatics Soft Pellets for Axolotls | | Nutrient- and Moisture-Rich Sinking Pellets | Pellets | Juvenile to Adult | 3 oz | |
2 | Zoo Med Zoo Med Axolotl & Aquatic Newt Food | | Nourish Their Aquatic World | Pellets | All Stages | 11 oz | |
3 | Invert Aquatics Axolotl Big Bites | | Soft Pellets for Big Bites, Strong Growth | Pellets | Juvenile to Adult | 3 oz | |
4 | A Lot'l Axolotls Axolotl Pellets | | High-Protein Pellets, Big Growth Potential | Pellets | Adult | 8.8 oz | |
5 | Josh's Frogs Josh's Frogs Juvenile Axolotl Bites | | Nutritious Bites for Growing Axolotls | Pellets | Baby | 3.25 oz | |
6 | Plecoceramics Plecoceramics Algae Wafers Universal Fish Food | | Boost Growth, Breeding, and Satisfaction | Pellets | All Life Stages | 1.7 oz | |
7 | Aquatic Foods Inc. Axolotl Food 1/8" Soft Moist Sinking Rangen Salmon Pellets | | Nourish from the Bottom Up | Pellets | Juvenile | 11 oz | |
8 | Aquatic Blended Foods Axolotl Soft Bit Mix | | Axolotl Pellet Mix With Mini Bloodworm Sticks | Pellets | All Life Stages | 2 oz | |
9 | Aquatic Foods Inc. Golden Pearls | | Golden Pearls: Mimicking Nature, Nurturing Life | Pellets | All Life Stages | 2 oz | |
10 | Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets | | Color-Enhancing Pellets Rich in Protein | Pellets | Adult | 2.61 oz, Pack of 2 | |
Nutrient- and Moisture-Rich Sinking Pellets
These soft sinking pellets are specially made for small amphibians. They are rich in protein and highly nutritious, and they are suitable for both juvenile and adult axolotls. These salmon-flavored pellets are moist and easy to digest, allowing your axolotl to enjoy mealtimes without any stress.
According to a few reviews, the pellets made their fish tank water dirty. Other than this, most buyers said this food is easy to feed to their pets and sinks to the bottom of the tank quickly. They also said that their picky amphibians loved these pellets as both their primary or supplementary diet.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | Juvenile to Adult |
| Amount | 3 oz |
Nourish Their Aquatic World
Zoo Med Axolotl & Aquatic Newt Food provides a balanced, high-protein diet specially formulated for axolotls and aquatic newts. These easy-to-feed pellets offer a delicious and nutritious option, ensuring your pet amphibians thrive in their aquatic environment. Each bite is packed with essential nutrients to support their health and growth.
Designed with your pet's needs in mind, this food is both convenient and beneficial, making it an excellent choice for maintaining the vitality of your axolotls and newts. Give them the nutrition they need with every meal.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | All Stages |
| Amount | 11 oz |
Soft Pellets for Big Bites, Strong Growth
This advanced, nutrient-rich diet features large, soft pellets perfect for axolotls and other amphibians. Each quick-sinking bite is designed to be aromatically stimulating, making meal times irresistible for your pets. Packed with high-quality ingredients like fish meal, squid meal, and spirulina, these pellets provide essential nutrients that support strong growth and vibrant health.
The pellets are easy to break apart, ensuring even small or baby amphibians can enjoy a nutritious meal. Ideal for axolotls, newts, salamanders, and more, this diet is crafted for both aquatic and terrestrial feeding. With a focus on convenience and nutrition, this diet offers a balanced, delic
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | Juvenile to Adult |
| Amount | 3 oz |
High-Protein Pellets, Big Growth Potential
These 3mm sinking carnivore pellets are a nutritious and convenient alternative to live or frozen foods, ideal for axolotls, carnivores, and other aquatic animals with high protein needs. Proudly produced by a Canadian company, these pellets deliver a balanced diet rich in protein, fat, and essential nutrients, closely mimicking the nutritional profile of earthworms.
Designed for axolotls 4 inches or larger, these pellets are perfect for those looking to diversify their pet’s diet or avoid the hassle of live feeding. Feed your axolotls 2-3 times per week, offering just enough for them to consume within a few minutes, and watch them thrive on this protein-packed meal option.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | Adult |
| Amount | 8.8 oz |
Nutritious Bites for Growing Axolotls
Josh's Frogs Juvenile Axolotl Bites are specifically designed to meet the dietary needs of juvenile to subadult axolotls. These soft, moist pellets measure approximately 3/16" of an inch, making them easy to digest and ideal for young, growing axolotls.
Formulated with a balanced blend of nutrients, these slow-sinking pellets provide essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth and development. Perfect for daily feeding, these nutritious bites are a convenient and effective way to ensure your axolotl receives everything it needs to thrive.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | Baby |
| Amount | 3.25 oz |
PlecoceramicsPlecoceramics Algae Wafers Universal Fish Food
Boost Growth, Breeding, and Satisfaction
Crafted from natural seafood ingredients, this premium fish food is perfect for a variety of aquatic species, including axolotls, plecos, shrimp, and bottom feeders. With a high protein content of 42%, this formula promotes rapid growth and development, ensuring your aquatic friends thrive. The specialized blend also enhances breeding success, making it ideal for both hobbyists and professional breeders.
Plecoceramics, trusted by experts, offers a reliable and effective diet that fish find irresistible. From tropical fish to aquatic turtles, the delicious flavors and quality ingredients ensure eager feeding and optimal health for your aquatic pets.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | All Life Stages |
| Amount | 1.7 oz |
Aquatic Foods Inc.Axolotl Food 1/8" Soft Moist Sinking Rangen Salmon Pellets
Nourish from the Bottom Up
Aquatic Foods & Blackworm Co. offers 1/8" Soft Moist Sinking Pellets by Rangen, specially formulated to provide essential nutrition for axolotls, shrimp, snails, and all bottom-dwelling fish. These pellets sink quickly, making them ideal for species that thrive on food reaching the tank floor. The soft, moist texture ensures easy digestion and encourages healthy feeding habits.
Whether you're caring for axolotls or bottom-feeding fish, these pellets deliver a balanced diet packed with the nutrients your aquatic pets need to grow and thrive. Trust Aquatic Foods for quality food that supports the well-being of your underwater friends.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | Juvenile |
| Amount | 11 oz |
Axolotl Pellet Mix With Mini Bloodworm Sticks
This soft pellet food mix contains shrimp, squid, and mini bloodworm sticks. The food mix sinks to the bottom of the tank and can be used as a staple diet for your axolotl. It comes in a convenient resealable zip lock bag for easy storage.
A reviewer reported that this pellet mix made the tank's water dirty quite quickly. Meanwhile, most customers said that their axolotls love this food. Buyers also appreciated that this mix can be used as a staple diet and supplementary feed.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | All Life Stages |
| Amount | 2 oz |
Golden Pearls: Mimicking Nature, Nurturing Life
Golden Pearls offer a revolutionary diet for marine shrimp and fish hatcheries, designed to closely replicate the nutrition of live Artemia nauplii. Using an innovative micro-encapsulation process, these feed particles are infused with tiny air pockets, making them highly palatable and easy to digest for aquatic life.
This cutting-edge formula ensures that your marine shrimp and fish receive a complete, balanced diet, promoting healthy growth and vitality. Trusted worldwide, Golden Pearls provide a dependable, high-quality alternative to live feed, delivering exceptional results in aquatic hatcheries.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | All Life Stages |
| Amount | 2 oz |
Color-Enhancing Pellets Rich in Protein
Hikari's Sinking Carnivore Pellets is a great live food alternative for axolotls. These sinking pellets have a high level of carotenoids that help brighten your axolotl's colors. This pellet food can be fed as your pet's primary diet, and it's also suitable for other carnivore fishes and amphibians.
Some reviewers did not like the pungent odor of these pellets. Meanwhile, many satisfied customers loved the consistency of the pellets, explaining that they retained their shape underwater for easier cleanup. Their axolotls also had no trouble eating the pellets because they do not disintegrate right away.
| Type | Pellets |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | Adult |
| Amount | 2.61 oz, Pack of 2 |
Top 5 Axolotl Foods
No. 1: Invert Aquatics｜Soft Pellets for Axolotls
No. 2: Zoo Med｜Zoo Med Axolotl & Aquatic Newt Food
No. 3: Invert Aquatics｜Axolotl Big Bites
No. 4: A Lot'l Axolotls｜Axolotl Pellets
No. 5: Josh's Frogs｜Josh's Frogs Juvenile Axolotl Bites
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