My axolotl always seems hungry

[Daniroolz]

I'm a new axolotl owner and I was told by the pet shop I bought him at to feed him one red worm (red wiggler) every day and that should be enough. I've been doing that for about a month but he always seems to be looking for more food throughout the day and snapping at the water like he's trying to eat something that's nonexistent. Should I be feeding him more? Also, are red worms even a good food source to begin with?

 

[sde]

Red worms are sometimes disliked by axolotls and caudatas. Earthworms or Night Crawlers are better.
One worm a day is plenty, he probably shouldn't be fed any more than that. Well, I suppose it depends on the size of the worm, how large are they?

Axolotls and pretty much most caudatas are always looking for more food, it seems as if they could eat forever. In my experience, it is perfectly normal for a caudata to be hungry even if it is well fed. They are just pigs! I wouldn't be concerned about him, you are feeding him plenty. Possibly even too much depending on the size of the worm.

Hope this answers you question! :happy: -Seth

 

[auntiejude]

How big and how old is your axie? Under a year or 7" they should be fed daily, once they are fully grown every 2 or 3 days.

It is almost impossible to overfeed a juvenile under 12 months old - they tend to convert all their food into growth. With adults you need to judge by the width of their body - it should be about the same width as their head.

Red wrigglers are fine, as are nightcrawlers, bloodworms are suitable for juveniles up to about 4" but not for adults.

But yes, axolotls always seem hungry....

 

[keiko]

How old and long is your axie?
If he's still very small it's ok to feed him even twice a day but if he's full grown a few times a week might be enough. But every axie is different so you probably know best how much to feed him. As long as the head is about the same width as the belly it's all good.
Red worms are fine if your axie eats them. And if you want to start your own worm farm red worms are probably the easiest.

 

[sde]

Nutritionally red worms/red wrigglers are probably fine, but I am just saying that they are not always excepted. In this case they are, and that's great, but I just wanted to inform the OP that if the axolotl does not except this species it is not unusual. Some caudatas simply don't like them. They have a yellow liquid sort of a stuff that is disliked with many caudatas. It is not unusual. Like I said though, in this case the axie is eating them, but I just wanted to inform the OP.

These small earthworms grow to about 2 inches (5 cm). Although nutritious, they may be unpalatable to some newts and salamanders, as they exude a foul-smelling yellow liquid when chopped. They work well when they can be fed whole. Also, many salamanders will learn to accept them despite the odor.

Taken from Caudata Culture.
-Seth