Feeding earthworms to juveniles?

[debadog]

Hey everyone,

I got my first axie last week and i'm already a bit tired of the mess that bloodworms and brine shrimp make in the tank (not sick of my axie though, already love him to bits). I ordered some small Dendrobaena earthworms as I figure the clean up will be a lot easier if I feed him the odd earthworm (plus hes a little stunted in size so I'm trying to stimulate some growth). However, can juveniles handle earthworms?

He's currently about 6 months old and 4-5 inches long. I was planning on cutting up the earthworms into chunks but I don't want him to choke or something if he isn't ready!

Thanks!

 

[Niels D]

Most newts, including axolotls, can tackle large prey. A worm with half the length of your animal normally shouldn't pose any problems if it's Dendrobeana veneta. They will secrete a nasty liquid, but my animals get use to them pretty quick. Just don't feed it, only offer it the worm. Soaking the worm in water for a couple of hours seems to help.

It's said that it's less nourishing than some other species of worm, but it's still very suitable as a staple. Just gather some earth worms for more diversity now and then. I've got an almost never ending supply of D.veneta in my compost heap. So if you have the space, I really can recommend one.

 

[debadog]

回复: Re: Feeding earthworms to juveniles?

Most newts, including axolotls, can tackle large prey. A worm with half the length of your animal normally shouldn't pose any problems if it's Dendrobeana veneta. They will secrete a nasty liquid, but my animals get use to them pretty quick. Just don't feed it, only offer it the worm. Soaking the worm in water for a couple of hours seems to help.

It's said that it's less nourishing than some other species of worm, but it's still very suitable as a staple. Just gather some earth worms for more diversity now and then. I've got an almost never ending supply of D.veneta in my compost heap. So if you have the space, I really can recommend one.

Hmm, even though they are listed as "small Dendrobeana earthworms" i'm not sure if they're that small (Doesn't list species only Dendrobeana). In the photo they look longer than 2/3 inches which would be half the size of my axolotl. Should I still cut them up to half his size if they are longer than that?

I'm looking into a compost heap in future after I move out of my parents place, I can really see the cost of these worms adding up once it becomes a regular part of his diet.

 

[Holly12]

Re: 回复: Re: Feeding earthworms to juveniles?

Chop hem up. I have an 8" axie that looooooves earthworm chunks.

 

[auntiejude]

Most axies will learn to take worms as long as they are, but cut up pieces are easier to start with. Esenia or Dendrobena varieties are ideal.