Question: Food

[tinasvfx]

So I've always fed Bop earthworms. It's never been an issue, she loves them, and they keep her full for a few days.

Problem is, PetSmart is my only real option for anything fish related, and they recently ran out of Earthworms. They weren't sure if any more were coming, because I'm basically the only person that buys them. So I ended up having to go with red wigglers.

I have dried krill that I keep for back up for $$ emergencies, but what are some other options? feeder fish? pellets?

 

[Hayleyy]

Try some frozen blood worms or frozen axolotl cubes. I also sometimes use pellets. When I use these I always transfer my axolotl to another feeding tank because it is so messy lol, you could also use a feeding jar

 

[tinasvfx]

Try some frozen blood worms or frozen axolotl cubes. I also sometimes use pellets. When I use these I always transfer my axolotl to another feeding tank because it is so messy lol, you could also use a feeding jar

Pretty sure they wont have axolotl cubes but i think ive seen frozen blood worms! any particular kind of pellet? pond pellets?

She's actually getting upgraded to a 40g tank w. sand this week, so im planning on buying one of those feeding "bowls" from the reptile section.

We do have Mr Pets, but we have baaaaaaaad history with them. :/

 

[Hayleyy]

A few brands over here sell axolotl pellets, but I think I've read about people using salmon pellets? If you search in the forums for salmon pellets you might get more info

 

[tinasvfx]

A few brands over here sell axolotl pellets, but I think I've read about people using salmon pellets? If you search in the forums for salmon pellets you might get more info

Good to know. I need some backup options if they stop selling the earthworms altogether. :/

 

[Hayleyy]

There should be companies where you live that you can order nightcrawlers from online and have them sent to your door! I've just ordered my first lot, super excited for worms to come in the mail haha

 

[tinasvfx]

There should be companies where you live that you can order nightcrawlers from online and have them sent to your door! I've just ordered my first lot, super excited for worms to come in the mail haha

Ooh I may have to look into that! I've also been looking into the idea of Farming them. Especially the earthworms. red wigglers are so tiny! she just doesn't seem interested but she'll eat it eventually.

 

[tinasvfx]

So I couldn't find Salmon pellets, but I was able to find sinking disks made with shrimp, salmon and kelp. National Geographic. Their a bit hard so I have them softening for her to try. I did find FBW, but it was too hot to walk home with them.

I did see sinking Omega One SHRIMP pellets tho, would they be just as good?

I think the reason they are cutting their Earthworm load is because last summer, most of them melted durring transport because of the heat. :/

She hasn't eaten yet in the new tank, because she ate just before I put her in it, so I haven't had the chance to test anything new on her yet.

 

[MEEX]

Hope our bellies are all full now!?

I would also have said frozen blood worms, but in the long term I'd definitely recommend farming worms.
Mine are a mix of red wrigglers and night crawlers, but the European models, lol.

I noticed in another thread that you're worried about which compost to use.
When I first started my wormery they came in the post with a block of coir (coconut fibre). At least that way you know the worms (and then axolotls) are only eating what you put in there yourself, but it is quite a slow start compared to obtaining a starter culture.
It might be worth contacting the local fishing club, if there is one - but bait shops tend to buy them in 'clean'.

From personal experience I can tell you that the worms taste absolutely horrible anyway, but my axolotls love gulping them down so it has saved me a small fortune.

 

[MEEX]

Sorry for double-posting.
I forgot to mention that White Worms (pot worms?) are a great emergency food to look into farming too.
They're so easy to keep (and don't smell at all so are fine indoors in just a tupperware), I recommend everyone has a culture ticking over even if they only use them occasionally as a treat.

 

[tinasvfx]

Hope our bellies are all full now!?

I would also have said frozen blood worms, but in the long term I'd definitely recommend farming worms.
Mine are a mix of red wrigglers and night crawlers, but the European models, lol.

I noticed in another thread that you're worried about which compost to use.
When I first started my wormery they came in the post with a block of coir (coconut fibre). At least that way you know the worms (and then axolotls) are only eating what you put in there yourself, but it is quite a slow start compared to obtaining a starter culture.
It might be worth contacting the local fishing club, if there is one - but bait shops tend to buy them in 'clean'.

From personal experience I can tell you that the worms taste absolutely horrible anyway, but my axolotls love gulping them down so it has saved me a small fortune.

Personal experience... You've eaten them? :wacko: Kidding!

Oh yeah, she definitely ate, She was just a little put out because of the new tank upgrade, but she's doing really well in it.

That's part of why I started farming a small portion of them. Then I know for sure they're safe, although, from Petsmart, I've never had an issue. So far as I know, there's only one place around here that offers "Bait" worms, that I know of, but I've been keeping an eye out anyway. I'm hoping the farming option works out. It would save me $$ as well!

 

[MEEX]

Good to hear she's eaten, that should help her settle in nicely.

Hehe, yes, I tried a worm once. :wacko:
But only once.
Maybe I got a bad one? But it was so diusgusting I don't want to try a second.

Don't let that put you off farming worms though, I'd still recommend it to anyone!
So simple, saves money and can stop food scraps going to landfill - we should all be doing it really.

 

[tinasvfx]

Good to hear she's eaten, that should help her settle in nicely.

Hehe, yes, I tried a worm once. :wacko:
But only once.
Maybe I got a bad one? But it was so diusgusting I don't want to try a second.

Don't let that put you off farming worms though, I'd still recommend it to anyone!
So simple, saves money and can stop food scraps going to landfill - we should all be doing it really.

hahahah well there are societies that eat bugs, so hey, why not.

She's completely settled into her tank, she's actually become a lot more active now that shes got the room to spread out and explore. She was playing with her bubbler last night.

I have the worms in a small old planter right now... So it's just a matter of waiting to see if/when they multiply. How long does it generally take?

 

[MEEX]

Not knowing what worms you have or the conditions they're in, I can't help much, sorry.

The only advice I have is that it's a slow process for a long while - however tempting it is to fuss over them, it's only going to make it feel slower.
Mashed potatoes are a favourite food but don't overdo it. You may be better starting off with a sprinkling of cereal dust on the surface, just until you know they're settled.

Just don't eat them yourself! :crazy:

 

[tinasvfx]

Not knowing what worms you have or the conditions they're in, I can't help much, sorry.

The only advice I have is that it's a slow process for a long while - however tempting it is to fuss over them, it's only going to make it feel slower.
Mashed potatoes are a favorite food but don't overdo it. You may be better starting off with a sprinkling of cereal dust on the surface, just until you know they're settled.

Just don't eat them yourself! :crazy:

Oh, they have plenty of food for the next little while. Hahaha! I don't plan on eating a worm anytime soon.

I'm definitely open to any advice tho, I haven't done a worm farm since elementary school. although that wasn't for pet food.