Question: Turtle Food as Axolotl Food

[blueberlin]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a definitive low-down on the suitability of turtle food for axolotls. I'm assuming it is inappropriate but would like to know more. Input please?

Thanks,

-Eva

 

[ellenant]

I think I have red somewhere that is has too many
carbohydrates and fibres, because they also use
plant material for turtle food.
It is harder to digest for axolotl, because they are
carnivores and no omnivores.

 

[Kaysie]

I assume you mean 'turtle bites', which are akin to 'newt bites'?

I just stay away from packaged food all together.

 

[blueberlin]

Hi Kaysie m'dear,

I really have no idea. I kind of imagined that turtle food is little pellets, maybe like rabbit food in shape (and color?) and somehow I have got the idea that it floats. I honestly just wanted to know about it because people keep asking and I would like to be able to answer.

-Eva

 

[Kaysie]

Yeah, as far as caudates (and turtles too!), the less processed the food the better. My turtles eat earthworms and other random goodies, pretty much the same thing as the sals.

 

[blueberlin]

So I have a comnparison now between turtle pellets and axolotl pellets (translated from German):

Turtle food:
39% Raw protein
4.5% Raw fat
2% Raw fiber
15% Raw ash
9% Water
3.3% Calcium

Additional ingredients:
Vit. A 29550 IE/kg
D3 1845 IE/kg
E 100 mg/kg
L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphat e137mg/kg
Lecithin
L-Lysin-Monohydrochloride
Plus colorings and antioxidants.

Axolotl pellets:
46% Raw protein
16% Raw fat
1% Raw fiber
11.1% Raw ash

Additional ingredients:
Vit. A 12.000 (I.E.)
Vit. D3 1.600 (I.E.)
Vit. E 200 mg
Vit. C stable 160 mg
All vitamins in the B-Group in appropriate amounts

-Eva

 

[caleb]

I use 'Reptomin' sticks for feeding newts (though not exclusively), and have done for many years- I was recommended them by a well-known UK newt breeder.

These were marketed as suitable for turtles and amphibians until recently. They currently only mention turtles on the packaging, but I don't know if the formulation's changed...

 

[blueberlin]

I had initially thought that the turtle sticks would not be appropriate, but now I am actually tending toward the opposite belief.

 

[Kaysie]

After the nutritional breakdown, I'd agree. They may be okay, as long as fed as part of a varied diet.

 

[oceanblue]

I too agree the nutrient mix of the Turtle food looks fine on paper. It will have quite a lot lower calorific value because of the lower fat content but looks fairly well balanced.

 

[AGreenDarkness]

I feed my Squishy turtle food. They are tiny brown sticks that float on top of the water, she loves them and that is all she eats other than earth worms. Maybe this is helpful?