Feeding axolotl's

[Caroline1380]

I was wondering about feeding axolotl's fry. My Jack Dempsey cichlids keep breeding and it seems they have hundreds of babies at a crack, I am unable to just give them away, have tried with no luck, so I was wondering if when it happens again if I should feed the fry to my Axolotl's? Thanks in advance.

 

[auntiejude]

I wouldn't have thought chiclid fry would be suitable for axies, I've never even heard them mentioned before. Minnows and guppies/endlers are OK.

 

[Boomsloth]

They are probably okay when just barely hatched but once the jd fry get even slightly bigger they will get a little bolder and much quicker and could easily attack an axolotls' gills. I do love jds and seeing the parents lead around a little herd of fish fry

 

[Valentinas Dadd]

i would think it would be fine, I have read that they will basically eat anything small enough to fit in their mouth. I am also pretty sure it would be a nice treat for them and a nice change in their diet.

 

[Frizbee]

I also have a breeding pair of Jack Dempseys. They are Blue Gene, so roughly 1/3rd come out electric blue. The most of the excess fry get fed off to my fish and adult axolotls, who relish the treat. My advice would be to try it but keep an eye on them. Most get gobbled right up, however those that don't could start picking at the axolotl's gills. Also since the temperature is usually a lot cooler for the Axolotls vs Dempsey's any that remain shouldn't go back into your general fry population; the temperature swings/stress can cause them to come down with Ich. If you are concerned with them surviving/hiding in the plants you can always humanely pre-kill the fry by placing them in a container of water and putting it in the freezer, then treat your axolotls to some bite size Jack Dempsicles.

 

[xxianxx]

Be careful about feeding cichlids, many have spikey dorsal fins, it's the reason i didn't use my convict fry as feeders.