Best Pellets For Axolotls [5 Great Options]

If you own an axolotl, you know how important it is for its general health and well-being to feed your pet the proper food. Pellets are a popular feed option, and the right pellets can make up an important part of an axolotl’s diet.

High-quality pellets offer a well-balanced source of nutrients and are a convenient alternative to live or frozen food. The best pellets for axolotls are those that are specifically designed for their dietary needs. These pellets should be high in protein and relatively low in fat, with a balanced ratio of vitamins and minerals and a low salt content.

Given the wide range of alternatives available, it can be challenging to decide which pellets are best for your axolotl. So, in this article, I’ll give you my favorite pellet choices for axolotls and offer some advice on how to pick the best ones for your axie.

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Best Pellets For Axolotls [My Top Picks]

Right guys, here’s my pick of the top 5 best pellets for axolotls.

I’ve fed 4 of these brands to my axolotls (A Lot’l Axolotl, Hikari, Aquatic Blended Foods & Invert Aquatics), so can you get my firsthand impressions on these.

For the other brands which I haven’t personally tested, I’ve based the write-up on information I found online written by other axolotl owners.

1. A Lot’l Axolotls Axolotl Pellets

Key Features

  • 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Amazon
  • High-protein, fish & meat-based.
  • Sinking pellets.
  • 3mm in size.
  • A great alternative to worms.

What I Like About A Lot’l Axolotls Axolotl Pellets

  • High-quality ingredients.
  • Balanced nutritional values, similar to those of worms.
  • The flavor seems to be great (my axie loves them!).

What I Dislike About A Lot’l Axolotls Axolotl Pellets

  • These pellets are slightly hard (may require soaking before feeding).
  • Small size can make it hard for the axolotl to find.

2. Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets

Key Features

  • 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
  • Sinking pellets – ideal for bottom dwellers like axolotls.
  • Enriched in vitamins & minerals.
  • Specially designed for carnivorous aquatic animals.

What I Like About Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets

  • Don’t dissolve easily (it takes a day or two) or cloud the water.
  • My axolotls love these, so they must taste nice!
  • Soft texture, ideal for axolotls’ fragile mouths.

What I Dislike About Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets

  • Pretty expensive (premium product).
  • Contains some plant-based ingredients – perhaps not ideal for carnivores.
  • Not specifically designed for axolotls.

3. AQUATICBLENDEDFOODS Gourmet Axolotl Soft Food Pellet Mix

Key Features

  • 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
  • Mix of soft pellets & mini worm sticks.
  • Can be used as a staple food for axolotls.
  • Available in multiple pack sizes (make sure you order carefully).

What I Like About Aquaticblendedfoods Gourmet Axolotl Pellets

  • I love that this product can be used as my axie’s main food source.
  • Great appetence – my axolotl gets so excited when fed this product.
  • Specially formulated for axolotls.
  • Very convenient (all-in-one, keeps longer than live food).

What I Dislike About Aquaticblendedfoods Gourmet Axolotl Pellets

  • Quite smelly (make sure you reseal the pack carefully).
  • Contains some plant-based ingredients – perhaps not ideal for carnivores.
  • Can foul the tank water if left uneaten within 12 to 24 hours.
  • Worm sticks, in particular, rapidly disintegrate into small particles.

4. Invert Aquatics Soft Pellets for Axolotls

Key Features

  • 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
  • Specially designed for axolotls.
  • Soft texture – ideal for axolotls.
  • Quick sinking – so ideal for bottom-feeding axies!

What I Like About Invert Aquatics Soft Pellets for Axolotls

  • They are so appetizing they don’t even have time to sink – my axolotl snaps them up before they hit the bottom of the tank!
  • Cheaper and easier than feeding live worms.
  • High protein content (45% crude protein).

What I Dislike About Invert Aquatics Soft Pellets for Axolotls

  • A lot of the pellets had broken into dust in the pouch.
  • Crumble apart easily – remove uneaten pellets from the tank rapidly to prevent fouling and filter problems.
  • Quite smelly – don’t overfeed your axie as uneaten pellets will make your water smell.
  • Contains some plant-based ingredients – perhaps not ideal for carnivores.

5. Omega One Newt & Salamander Pellet

Key Features

  • 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
  • Suitable for news & salamanders (including axolotls).
  • High lipid & low fiber content – contain fresh, natural fats critical for amphibian growth.
  • Low starch and carbohydrate content for optimal digestion.
  • Contains vitamins A, D3, and calcium – for healthy development and disease prevention.

What I Like About Omega One Newt & Salamander Pellet

  • Low starch and carbohydrate content – unlike some of the other options above.
  • Very practical pot with a screw-on lid to keep pellets fresh.
  • High in fish protein.

What I Dislike About Omega One Newt & Salamander Pellet

  • Not specifically designed for axolotls.
  • Pellets are hard and must be soaked before being given to your axolotl.
  • Small packaging size (only 1.2 oz) – meaning frequent repurchase.

Are Pellets Good for Axolotls?

Pellets can be a good feed option for axolotls as part of a balanced diet. Axolotls are carnivores, so they require a protein-rich diet. Pellets can provide a convenient and nutrient-dense source of protein, fat (an essential building block of cell membranes, for example), and other essential vitamins and minerals.

However, it’s important to choose a high-quality pellet specifically formulated for axolotls (or, at the very least, for other carnivorous aquatic animals). Some general-purpose fish pellets may not meet the specific nutritional needs of axolotls.

It’s also important to note that most pellets are not designed to fully replace other food sources (such as live or frozen worms) and, therefore, should only make up part of an axolotl’s diet. Pellets should be supplemented with various live or frozen foods, such as earthworms, bloodworms, and brine shrimp.

These foods can provide essential nutrients and help to keep your axolotl healthy and happy. It’s important to feed your axolotl a varied diet, as this can help prevent nutritional deficiencies and keep them interested in their food.

How to Feed Axolotl Pellets?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when feeding axolotls pellets.

First, axolotls under the size of 4 inches should not be fed pellets as they may not be able to digest them properly and may choke or suffer from impaction.

Secondly, follow the recommended feeding guidelines on the pellet packaging. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health problems. Adult axolotls should be fed about as many pellets as they can comfortably eat in 2 to 3 minutes.

Thirdly, some axolotls may have difficulty digesting hard pellets, so it can be helpful to soak them in water for a few minutes before feeding. This can also help to reduce the risk of choking or gastrointestinal problems.

Finally, while pellets are a convenient and nutrient-dense feed for axolotls, most brands are not designed to become staple food. These pellets should only make up part of an axolotl’s diet. So, unless your brand of pellets clearly states that it can be used as a staple food, supplement with live or frozen foods, such as worms. This will provide a more complete and balanced diet for your axolotl.

How Often to Feed Pellets to Your Axolotls?

Adult axolotls should be fed about 2 to 3 times per week.

How Many Pellets Should I Feed My Axolotl?

Adult axolotls should be fed about as many pellets as they can comfortably eat in 2 to 3 minutes.

How Do I Get My Axolotl to Eat Pellets?

If your axolotl has never been fed pellets before and is used to eating live or frozen worms, it may not take to the pellets immediately. Some axolotls are pretty adventurous and will snap at anything that falls into their tank, others are very picky, and if it doesn’t wiggle or smell right, they won’t touch it!

If your axolotl is refusing to eat the pellets, you may want to try a couple of things:

  • Skip a meal so that your axolotl builds up an appetite. For example, if you feed it three times a week, skip the middle meal and when you would normally give it its third meal of the week, feed it the pellets.
  • Soak the pellets in liquid before feeding them. You can use water, of course. But, some owners say that tuna juice (the liquid that canned tuna sits in) is incredibly effective at triggering an axolotl’s appetite.
  • If neither of these options gets your axolotl to eat the pellets, try a different brand of pellets. Axolotls have their preferences too! All pellet brands are slightly different in terms of the ingredients they use and how they are made, and sometimes little differences in the recipes can have a big impact on appetence.

Conclusion

Overall, the best pellets for axolotls are those that are high in protein, low in fat, and free from artificial ingredients. By providing your axolotl with a balanced diet that includes pellets and live or frozen foods, you can help ensure they stay healthy and happy.

Glen

Hello and welcome to Pets From Afar. I'm Glen. My daughter Siri and I are mad about axolotls. I created this website to document our findings and experiences, as we learn more about these amazing amphibians. Follow along and enjoy the fun!

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