Worms are widely regarded as the best staple food for axolotls. They are packed with protein, easy to digest, and provide all the essential nutrients needed to keep your pet healthy and thriving. However, not every worm you come across in your garden or bait shop is suitable for axolotls. Some are far more nutritious and safe than others. To help you choose wisely, here are the top eight types of worms most recommended for axolotls.
1. Earthworms (Nightcrawlers / Red Wigglers)
Earthworms are considered the gold standard when it comes to feeding axolotls. They provide a complete nutritional profile, rich in protein and essential amino acids, making them one of the healthiest and most natural staple foods available.
Their constant wriggling also makes them irresistible to axolotls, stimulating natural hunting instincts and ensuring feeding remains engaging.
Juveniles can begin eating small Dendrobaena earthworms once they have all four legs, but at this stage, the worms should be cut into very small pieces, no longer than one centimeter, and offered twice daily.
By the age of six months, most axolotls are large enough to consume whole worms, and two medium-sized worms each day is generally sufficient.
As they continue to grow, they can be gradually transitioned to larger worms, eating two or three in a sitting depending on appetite.
Mature axolotls over two years old may lose some of their daily hunger and often do well with feedings three times a week.
While earthworms are ideal, constantly purchasing tubs from bait shops can quickly become expensive. Many axolotl keepers choose to set up a worm bin at home, which not only guarantees a fresh and reliable supply but also saves both money and time in the long term.
2. Blackworms
Blackworms, scientifically known as Lumbriculus variegatus, are small segmented worms that naturally inhabit the muddy bottoms of freshwater habitats.
They are an excellent live food option for axolotls, particularly juveniles, because they remain active in water until eaten. Their constant movement keeps axolotls engaged, encouraging natural foraging behavior while also providing valuable mental and physical stimulation.
Nutritionally, blackworms are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins, which support steady growth and overall vitality.
They are especially useful for young axolotls, which benefit from being able to graze on the worms throughout the day, though adults also enjoy them.
A healthy feeding routine might include blackworms two or three times a week, with adult axolotls consuming around a dozen worms per feeding, depending on their size.
While blackworms are a highly palatable food source, they should not be relied upon as the sole diet. It is also important to source them from reputable suppliers, since poorly raised blackworms may introduce contaminants into the tank.
When used responsibly, however, they are an excellent way to diversify an axolotl’s diet.
3. Bloodworms
Bloodworms, the larvae of midge flies, are one of the most common foods offered to aquatic pets and are readily available in frozen form. They are often used as an introductory food for young axolotls that are too small to handle larger prey, and they provide a good source of protein to support early growth.
However, bloodworms are not nutritionally complete and should never be relied upon as a staple diet. Instead, they are best offered as an occasional supplement or treat for adults, complementing a more balanced diet based on earthworms or high-quality pellets.
Feeding frozen bloodworms is straightforward: they should be thawed in a small amount of tank water and then introduced into the aquarium with a turkey baster or pipette, allowing the axolotl to easily suck them up.
Because they are soft and easy to consume, bloodworms are especially useful during the early weeks of life or when transitioning juveniles onto more substantial foods. For adult axolotls, however, they should be used sparingly, as overreliance can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
4. Tubifex Worms
Tubifex worms are a controversial food choice for axolotls. On one hand, they are rich in protein and readily available, making them tempting to use as part of a feeding routine.
However, they come with significant risks. Live tubifex are notorious for carrying parasites, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens, especially when sourced from polluted waters. This can expose axolotls to health problems, and for this reason many people avoid them altogether.
In addition, tubifex are high in fat and not nutritionally balanced, which makes them unsuitable as a staple diet. Over time, excessive fat in the diet can lead to liver issues and other health complications in amphibians.
Some people report that tubifex may even attack salamander eggs when left unattended. Safer alternatives exist in the form of freeze-dried or frozen tubifex, which reduce the risk of contamination, though freeze-dried varieties are often less nutritious.
For those who do choose to use them, tubifex should be offered rarely and in very small amounts, as an occasional treat rather than a regular food source.
5. Grindal Worms
Grindal worms are small, live worms that can be an excellent supplemental food for juvenile axolotls.
They are high in protein and provide the wriggling movement that encourages a natural feeding response, making them particularly useful during the early growth stages.
However, like many soft-bodied live foods, grindal worms are also relatively high in fat. This makes them better suited as an occasional treat rather than a long-term dietary staple.
Culturing grindal worms at home is possible and often done by aquarium hobbyists, but it requires patience and proper care to maintain a steady supply.
When feeding grindal worms, it is important to ensure that the worms are appropriately sized for the axolotl—cutting them if necessary—so they can be swallowed and digested easily.
While nutritious and stimulating, grindal worms should be viewed as a supplement to a more balanced diet of earthworms or pellets rather than a primary food source.
6. White Worms
White worms are another live food option sometimes offered to axolotls, especially juveniles, due to their high protein content.
However, like grindal worms, they also contain a relatively high proportion of fats and oils, which makes them unsuitable as a staple food.
While some people have success with white worms, others report challenges, such as the worms shriveling upon contact with water or floating to the surface where axolotls may not notice them. This can lead to uneaten food decaying in the tank, which negatively impacts water quality.
White worms are also more difficult to source and culture compared to other worm varieties, which limits their practicality.
Although they can provide useful nutritional variety, many axolotl owners prefer to rely on blackworms, earthworms, or bloodworms instead, as these are aquatic or more readily accepted.
If you opt to feed white worms to your axolotls, do it in moderation, and only as a supplement to their main diet.
7. Microworms
Microworms are an excellent first food for newly hatched axolotls, particularly during the earliest days when the larvae are too small to consume brine shrimp or other live prey.
They are extremely tiny, move enough to stimulate feeding behavior, and are simple to culture at home. In fact, microworm cultures are considered nearly foolproof, making them a reliable emergency food source for breeders.
However, their nutritional value is limited compared to alternatives like baby brine shrimp or daphnia, and they are only suitable for a very short period.
Most axolotls outgrow them within one to two weeks and require a transition to larger, more balanced live foods. Microworms also need to be fed sparingly, as overfeeding can quickly foul the tank.
While not ideal as a long-term option, they are a practical and convenient starter food that can help bridge the gap in the first critical weeks of life.
8. Glassworms
Glassworms, which are the larvae of aquatic flies, are sometimes available frozen and are occasionally offered to axolotls as a supplemental food.
While they can be eaten and do provide some protein, they are not nutritionally balanced and should not be used as a staple.
Glassworms also tend to float at the water’s surface, which may confuse axolotls that are accustomed to bottom-dwelling prey. This often results in uneaten worms left behind, which quickly decay and compromise water quality.
Some people have reported success using a turkey baster or feeding tongs to direct the thawed worms closer to the axolotl’s line of sight, but overall glassworms are best considered an occasional treat.
Their limited nutritional value and feeding challenges make them far less effective than options such as earthworms or blackworms, which are more complete and better suited to long-term health.