When I first got my axolotl, I had no idea how important a proper feeding schedule was—I just thought tossing in some food now and then was enough. But axolotls, these cool little aquatic creatures from Mexico, aren’t like fish or other pets.
They need a bit more care, especially when it comes to when and how often they eat. I started learning more about the axolotl diet, and that’s when things really changed. Feeding too much can harm their health, and not feeding enough makes them sluggish.
Once I figured out the right timing and included things like nightcrawlers for axolotl, my little guy became way more active and healthy. If you’re wondering what food is best for your axolotl, I’d definitely say start with a solid feeding schedule and add high-protein foods like nightcrawlers—they really do wonders.
How Often Should You Feed an Axolotl?
When I first looked into setting up the right axolotl feeding schedule, I had no idea that their age made such a big difference. At the start, I was feeding my baby axolotl every day without thinking much about it, but later I found out that’s actually the right way—babies need daily meals to grow strong.
As mine got a bit older, I learned that juveniles do better with feeding every 1 to 2 days, which gave me a bit more flexibility. Now that it’s fully grown, I only feed it about 2 to 3 times a week, and it’s been doing great. Learning the right feeding frequency by age really helped me avoid overfeeding and made my axie healthier and more active overall.
Best Times to Feed Your Axolotl
At first, I used to feed my axolotl during the day, but it mostly ignored the food, and I couldn’t figure out why. Later, I learned that their natural behavior and activity hours are mostly at night—they’re way more active after the lights go down.
So I started doing night feeding, and it made a big difference. My axie began eating right away and seemed more relaxed. I also noticed that feeding in the evening gave it plenty of time to digest before things got quiet, which turned out to be the ideal time for digestion.
Ever since I switched from day to night feeding, everything just feels more in sync with its natural rhythm, and meals go a lot smoother.
Portion Size & Overfeeding Risks
When I first started feeding my axolotl, I had no clue how much to feed based on size, so I just guessed—and that led to overfeeding. I noticed bits of food always floating around, and my axie looked a bit bloated, which are clear signs of overfeeding.
That’s when I learned that the portion should be about the size of their head or slightly smaller, depending on how big they are. Now, I watch for healthy weight indicators like a smooth, rounded belly—not too thin, not too puffy. Getting the portions right made my axolotl more active and kept the tank cleaner too, so it really helped both of us.
Weekly Feeding Schedule Template
When I started following a weekly feeding schedule for my axolotl, it really helped keep things simple and my pet healthier. For my adult axolotl, I feed it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, giving it a small portion each time, and I leave the other days for rest so it can digest properly.
That’s my basic sample 7-day feeding plan for adults, and it works great. But when I had a juvenile, I had to feed it more often—like every day or every other day—since young ones need more food to grow.
I also had a sick axolotl once, and I had to be extra gentle, giving it smaller, softer food more frequently. These small adjustments for juveniles or sick axolotls made a big difference and helped them recover and grow better.
What to Feed – Recommended Foods
When I first got my axolotl, I had no clue what to feed it, but over time, I figured out a simple routine that really worked. Earthworms turned out to be the best—they’re full of protein and my axie loves them.
I give them 3–4 times a week. On other days, I mix things up with bloodworms, especially for snacks or younger axolotls, and some soft pellets made for aquatic pets. But I learned the hard way that not everything is safe. You should totally avoid fatty meats, bugs from outside, or anything seasoned.
I even wondered, what human food can axolotls eat? Honestly, it’s better not to risk it—stick to their usual stuff. Oh, and about the question, will axolotls eat fish?—yes, they might, but it’s not always safe for them, especially feeder fish which can carry parasites. Just keep it clean and simple, and you’ll see your axolotl stay healthy and happy.
Tips for a Healthy Feeding Routine
When I started feeding my axolotl, I didn’t realize how important the small things were. Like, when giving live food, I always make sure it’s clean and the right size—worms that are too big can stress them out.
I also learned to remove uneaten food after about 20–30 minutes, because if you leave it in the tank, it gets dirty fast and can mess up the water. Trust me, a clean tank = healthy axolotl. I didn’t know this at first and my axie got lazy and stopped eating for a bit.
Now I stick to a simple routine: feed, watch, clean, and repeat. It really helps keep things smooth and my axolotl active and happy.
FAQs
How often do you feed an axolotl?
When I first got my axolotl, I didn’t realize how much age and size matter when it comes to feeding. A baby axolotl that’s under 3 inches will need food daily, sometimes up to three times a day to stay healthy. As they grow, the feeding frequency gets reduced. A juvenile, usually 3-7 inches, should be fed once or twice a day. But when they turn into an adult, which is over 7 inches, you’ll see they typically eat every 2-3 days instead. Keeping this rhythm helped me avoid overfeeding and made my axie more active and happy.
How long can axolotls go without eating?
From what I’ve seen with my own axolotls, these cold-blooded pets can actually tolerate going without food for a surprisingly long time. A fully grown and healthy adult can safely survive without eating for around a week, and in some cases, even 2 weeks, with no ill effects. But younger ones definitely need more frequent feeding and can’t go as long without food, or they’ll get weak pretty fast. That’s why I always adjust my feeding schedule based on their size and age.
Can I overfeed my axolotl?
With babies and juveniles, it’s okay to feed them 2x daily, but you still need to keep track of how much they eat. They’ll typically refuse food once full, but if they’ve eaten too much, they might occasionally vomit. So even though you can’t easily over feed them, it’s good to know when to stop. If that happens, just give slightly less the next time to prevent any issues.
What are the signs of a sick axolotl?
When following an axolotl feeding schedule, it’s important to also watch for changes in health. A sick axolotl may show loss of appetite or have deterioration of the gills. I once noticed mine had poor balance while swimming, and later, small skin lesions appeared. Other signs can include jaundice, back deformities, and injuries to the limbs, tail, or even the gills. If you see any of these symptoms, it’s a sign something’s not right and they might need care or changes in diet or tank conditions.
