Frozen Bloodworms, are they good?

[Zolotl]

Hi Everyone,

Ive been thinking of buying some frozen bloodworms, either in cube form or whatever form they come in as I don't always have time to catch earthworms, and I don't want to give beef heart all the time as it is so rich. Does anyone here feed their axies on frozen bloodworms and what do you guys think about this as a food source?

Cheers,
Peter:happy:

 

[Kerry1968]

It is a good alternative food for axies, but very messy. I feed mine bloodworms occaisionally and they hoover them up quite well, but if thawed bloodworms are left in the tank for more than a couple of hours they can foul the water (they also get fungus on them very quickly). You will need to keep an eye on what is eaten and what isn't if you are going to use bloodworms. One method is to put the thawed bloodworms in a jam jar which is then placed at the bottom of the tank on its side, this stops the worms being spread all over the tank (to some extent!).

 

[Jacquie]

One method is to put the thawed bloodworms in a jam jar which is then placed at the bottom of the tank on its side, this stops the worms being spread all over the tank (to some extent!).

And if I can just add: remember to ensure the jar is big enough to accommodate the feeding axolotl .

 

[Kerry1968]

Yes, good point Jacquie!

 

[SludgeMunkey]

I swear by Hikari Brand frozen bloodworms for all my aquatic critters. Personally, I feel they are superior to the other brands.

Somewhere around here is a relatively recent thread on the pros and cons between each brand, I just cannot seem to find it at the moment...

 

[Zolotl]

Id like to put mine in a jar but my axies dont respond to non live food unless I wriggle it in front of their faces or it falls or there head. My bronzy actually looks up all the time and cranes his neck and if aworm fall on the ground it takes a while before he actually see them becaue he only interested in that magic hand that delivers goodies. Im not sure if they ever repond to non live food that just sits on the bottom of the tank, I guess they would if they were really starving, dont know.:tongue:

 

[SludgeMunkey]

It will take them a few feedings to catch on they are food, but once they do, you will find yourself humming the "Jaws" theme at feeding time...

 

[bitenomnom]

I just bought some frozen bloodworms the other day to try with my new axies. (By luck I happened to pick up the Hikari brand! Maybe they were the least expensive?)

I fed them with a children's medicine dispenser/eye-dropper type thing. (Thawed in water, sucked some up, and slowly squeezed some out in front of the axolotls.) It was still a bit of a pain to clean up, but I didn't end up putting in too many more than were needed (so it didn't take too long) and it helped me make sure they both got about the same amount. But they figured out to eat off of the tip of the dropper. (Well, one is really hungry/impatient and actually tried to eat the dropper itself, but I suppose that's to be expected.)

I don't think mine are quite used to being fed in their new home enough to catch on to the "jar method." But once they are, I think that would be way easier than having to worry about cleaning up all the stray bits.

 

[mifuneaxie]

So do you guys all feed your axolotls earthworms in addition to bloodworms? Are nightcrawlers okay? Can you feed them just earthworms all the time, I mean do these have enough nutrition and stuff for the axolotl?

Thanks.

 

[Jennewt]

So do you guys all feed your axolotls earthworms in addition to bloodworms? Are nightcrawlers okay? Can you feed them just earthworms all the time, I mean do these have enough nutrition and stuff for the axolotl?

Thanks.

Earthworms and nightcrawlers are equally good. And they are a good staple diet. Earthworms are one of the few foods that have the recommended amount of calcium. My axies rarely get anything else.

Note that bloodworms do not have the recommended amount of calcium. I use bloodworms for many of my newts, but never as the only food. See:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/foods2.shtml

 

[bitenomnom]

Nice link -- I must've overlooked this table when I was browsing and I was actually wondering about this stuff earlier.

 

[mifuneaxie]

Thanks, I was also kind of worried about that: if they would be getting enough protein and stuff from just earthworms. Thanks!