I am new to axolotls, I've only had mine for about a month. But your videos have been a great source of information. I just wanted to thank you so much for your wonderful videos, you're the best!
Hello! We recently adopted a beautiful 4 yr old Axolotl. He's been really difficult to feed. I finally got him to eat one half of a nightcrawler today. We've had him for 2 weeks. His previous family didn't take very good care of him I think. He is just starting to grow back his little frilly gills. :-( and he's missing an eye. Water parameters are good, we have fish so thankfully I have water experience. Sigh, thanks for all your info. We've been binge watching you.
hey frankie just wanted to say that your videos have given me confidence about owning an axolotyl and as of today ive bought a tank. thank you and i look forward to future uploads
Thanks so much for your videos. I have my first axolotl who’s been on bloodworms since I got him. Didn’t know it was that easy to get on his primary diet. Gobbled a whole worm right up! Now I’ll try farming my own worms to save some money.
Another good , informative video...must admit I love feeding and find the cutting up of worms quite therapeutic..they all have their own eating habits which is funny and it goes from grab and gulp to gulp , spit gulp then eat lol..lot's of fun either way 👍
I have to agree, i think there's certainly a nack to it. And you do get better with practice too! And I have to agree, I could happily watch my axolotl feed all day, it's just incredible! lol
A note on red wigglers, they produce a bile that makes most axolotls throw up! I cut mine away from the brain and organs so it can’t process that it’s being eaten and produce a slime coat.
Hii sorry too bother you but I've got a question 😅 do you know how many times you have to feed ur axolotl worms? I always thought about 2-3 times a week but someone said 2-3times a day so I'm kinda confused
@@cincinx They're pretty smart about not eating when they're full so offer them a worm or two every day and see if they're take it. Though it's not uncommon for adults to eat every other day or so
How to you keep a worm box? I have no idea how to start and what is the best technique to help them breed and thrive, any tips? Im getting my axolotls as soon as lockdown is over!
Hi Kayla Marie, many thanks for your comment! This depends on how large your worms are, and if your 'water sausage' is managing ok with them. It's pretty remarkable how large of a meal axolotls can manage, however if you feel they're a little on the large size chopping them in half or into pieces might be wise. Thanks again for taking the time to comment, your support is very much appreciated!
Hello there. good to see ya as always. I have a worm bin as well and I wash them too. LOL..I use tongs to get the worms out. I haven't graduated to my hands yet but when I feed the worms, I use only my hands. i will definitely try using just my hands on tomorrow's feeding. i'll let you know how it goes.
I don't know if anyone has suggested this before but you can get worme scissors from fishing shops they work great and definitely easier for people who are squeamish you can look away and just do it quickly
I just got my first axolotl today! It’s a juvenile about 3 inches :) I’ve been watching your videos for months getting ready for it to arrive!!! Do you have any videos about juvenile axolotl care? Thanks!!!! You are AWESOME!!!
I’ve hear stories about earthworms escaping in people’s fridges. If I buy them at a store, is there a way they won’t escape without having to make my own earthworm farm?
It's been known, at least since 1979, that worms do feel pain. They are unable to anticipate pain but they most definitely feel pain. 9/11/1979 New York Times article - "Past studies by other scientists had suggested that invertebrates such as earthworms - animals lacking backbones - do not produce enkephalins or endorphins. The presumption from this was that since there are no selfproduced opiates in invertebrate animals they probably do not feel pain. But the Swedish team reported that not only are these substances present in earthworms, but they are localized in immunoreactive nerves in the cerebral ganglion - the earthworm's equivalent of a brain." Of course, as recently as 2021, articles and studies are still being published on the subject. For example; " Yes, it is now accepted that worms feel pain - and that includes when they are cut in half. They do not anticipate pain or feel pain as an emotional response, however. They simply move in response to pain as a reflex response. They may curl up or move away, for example, from painful or negative stimuli." AIMEN MIRZA, “DO WORMS FEEL PAIN? (CAN EARTHWORMS SENSE PAINFUL STIMULI?)” AT WORMMY (OCTOBER 12, 2021) The general consensus is now, as it has been for some time, that nearly every creature has a pain response. It was once thought, arrogantly and ignorantly, that only intelligent creatures were able to suffer pain, that the less intelligence present, the less pain. Of course this is backward thinking. A smarter creature needs less pain frequency and intensity to learn the same lesson as a less intelligent creature. It only follows, from an evolutionary standpoint, that less intelligent creatures should therefore feel pain more intensely than more intelligent species so as to more effectively steer them away from the dangers which induce the response.
If you cut a worm in half and put one half back in the container.. the half you left alive will heal its torn end and live as a normal worm.. nightcrawlers have 10 hearts and are meant to live after predators chomp one end.
How facinating! Thanks for sharing! Yes, I usually chop them up really quickly to be as humane as possible when preparing the worms for my axolotls. They can wiggle for hours afterwards! Incredible little critters!
Hi I’m getting an Axolotl very soon and I was wondering when I start to cycle my aquarium should I keep the filter on ?? and I’m cycling will take a few weeks but I’m getting her next week, so do I put her in a quarantine tank with dechlorinated water and do daily water changes or do I need to add something else to the water? x
Hi there, Tommy. And many thanks for your message! Yes, you'll want to keep your filter running during the tan cycling process. Did you catch my video on how to successfully cycle an aquarium? I think this might be helpful to you and explains in greater detail the questions asked!
Not a question on feeding but still curious... do female axolotl also grow a bulge near their genitalia or am I tripping that pixel has a little bulge?
I always feel bad when cutting up night crawlers, even though they can’t feel pain. I can’t wait till my little 6inch axie gets bigger so she can handle full grown crawlers! She boycotts pellets since they don’t move😂
so currently i’m feeding my axolotl blood worms but how much should he be eating and how often? he always seems like he’s hungry liek multiple times throughout the day. i don’t want to over feed him but i’m also afraid i’m not feeding enough.
Great idea! Although I haven't tried this myself, I couldn't see it being an issue so long as you feed them rather quickly after you defrost them, otherwise they'll stink lol. Let me know how you get on if you give this a try!
I tried to raise Koi in a natural pond, but after I stocked it, I returned to find a Great Blue Heron, who said, "So long, and Thanks for All the Fish."
Exactly as Olivia suggests! I usually try and convert them over onto earthworms when blood worms just aren't satisfying them any longer. And if you do just be sure to prep the earth worms to a sensible size for the size of the axolotl too. I hope this helps!
Hello, I got some axolotls last week and I have mad a wormery using a clear 50 x 40cm tub with a lid but the worms keek escaping. It is just over half full so they’re managing to climb up the side, under the lid then fall down on the floor. Do you have any tips on how to stop this from happening? C
@@jaketrewick988 Yeah thats what i have. I havent had any "escape" but they've been close to it or they sit on the rim of the container. Maybe try one thats more air tight? But just put in some air holes so they can get some ventilation but not escape from them :) or maybe try and get an actual worm farm container?
Olivia Viney thank you, the soil isnt too wet and everything else seems fine. I have some holes in the lid which are too small for them to get through. Maybe I’ll try to add a little bit more soil and fill it up a bit more
Hello from Australia, I would like to know if i can introduce another Axolotl my tank. The tank is huge and I recently lost my axolotl's friend.. . Im not interested in breeding but would love another to watch swim around. Also just want to add Your videos have helped me get the tank properly sorted and have things ticking along perfectly now just from your videos. cheers
Thank you so much! I'm truly grateful for your support, and pleased to see my videos have proved useful to you! You can introduce your axolotl when they are of a similar size, just be extra cautious when you introduce them just so no unnecessary nipping takes place. Sometimes they'll get a little pushy with one another, usually one being more dominant than the other, but thankfully this usually subsides fairly soon. Also be aware that if you do have opposite sex and they are well fed and happy they will undoubtedly produce offspring. Thanks again for the support, and I hope this information helps!
my axles are about 6" now and I am having a hard time with two of them eating earthworms. they will eat bloodworms and blackworms but won't eat the earthworms. any suggestions?
Hi Jason, thank you for your comment. Sorry to see you're having trouble getting your axolotl to convert over onto earthworms. There's a few tips I can suggest! Firstly, you should have a good sprinkle of luck following as Sophia has suggested below, and mixing the chopped earthworms with some of his bloodworms, almost tricking the little sausage to try other foods. Secondly, give them a good wash before feeding, (the earthworms, that is! lol) Earthworms usually discrete a nasty smelling liquid when they feel threatened, which I can only imagine must taste pretty dreadful, this often turns the axolotl off of wanting to eat them, which is of course it's intended purpose, so if you wash them beforehand they often appear more appetising to your axolotl. I hope this information helps! And please do keep me updated with how everything goes!
Hey Frankie, new sub here. My partner and myself just got 2 6 month Olds. I found your channel today and it is super helpful. Do you have an Instagram so I can send you on a few questions and queries? I have experience with fish and turtles but my fish time with Axies and loving it so far. Their personalities are mad.
I am new to axolotls, I've only had mine for about a month. But your videos have been a great source of information. I just wanted to thank you so much for your wonderful videos, you're the best!
Thank you so much, Kayla! That's incredibly kind of you. I hope you and your 'water sausage ' have so much fun together! It's a magical hobby! 💚✨
Hello! We recently adopted a beautiful 4 yr old Axolotl. He's been really difficult to feed. I finally got him to eat one half of a nightcrawler today. We've had him for 2 weeks. His previous family didn't take very good care of him I think. He is just starting to grow back his little frilly gills. :-( and he's missing an eye. Water parameters are good, we have fish so thankfully I have water experience. Sigh, thanks for all your info. We've been binge watching you.
hey frankie just wanted to say that your videos have given me confidence about owning an axolotyl and as of today ive bought a tank. thank you and i look forward to future uploads
That is awesome! Thank you for sharing, Shannon! I'm so pleased my videos have been helpful to you, and thank you for your support!
Loved the video! Do you think you could do a video on your wormery? Like how you made it and how you keep them and stuff
Thanks Jake, and most definitely! I'll see if I can sort something out for the near future! Thanks for your suggestion!
I was coming to ask about wormory look forward to the video on it .I've looked on line and the prices for a what seem posh bucket seems very expensive
Thanks so much for your videos. I have my first axolotl who’s been on bloodworms since I got him. Didn’t know it was that easy to get on his primary diet. Gobbled a whole worm right up! Now I’ll try farming my own worms to save some money.
Another good , informative video...must admit I love feeding and find the cutting up of worms quite therapeutic..they all have their own eating habits which is funny and it goes from grab and gulp to gulp , spit gulp then eat lol..lot's of fun either way 👍
I have to agree, i think there's certainly a nack to it. And you do get better with practice too! And I have to agree, I could happily watch my axolotl feed all day, it's just incredible! lol
A note on red wigglers, they produce a bile that makes most axolotls throw up! I cut mine away from the brain and organs so it can’t process that it’s being eaten and produce a slime
coat.
Where do you cut
Thanks for creating this video! Sometimes, I get the heebie jeebies when the worms squirm in my hand...but always a great video!
Thanks for watching and always supporting! I'm so grateful for this! And yeah, it can be a little squeamish to say the least!
liked, and rung the bell for all new. Sorry I can't afford to be a patron but love your channel
Thank you so much, Nicole. Your support means everything!
Hey bruv just wanted to say we love all your videos we have 2 beautiful 8 to 9 in axolotls and just wanted to say thanks for the content
Hii sorry too bother you but I've got a question 😅 do you know how many times you have to feed ur axolotl worms? I always thought about 2-3 times a week but someone said 2-3times a day so I'm kinda confused
@@cincinx They're pretty smart about not eating when they're full so offer them a worm or two every day and see if they're take it. Though it's not uncommon for adults to eat every other day or so
Yet another great video! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks as ever for your support!
Thank you so much for your videos! I think of your channel as axolotyl school!!
do you know if you can you buy frezed earthworms? btw love your videos!
How to you keep a worm box? I have no idea how to start and what is the best technique to help them breed and thrive, any tips? Im getting my axolotls as soon as lockdown is over!
My axolotl is about 16cm long (not sure on age) should I be chopping his night crawlers up for him?
Hi Kayla Marie, many thanks for your comment!
This depends on how large your worms are, and if your 'water sausage' is managing ok with them. It's pretty remarkable how large of a meal axolotls can manage, however if you feel they're a little on the large size chopping them in half or into pieces might be wise.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment, your support is very much appreciated!
Hello there. good to see ya as always. I have a worm bin as well and I wash them too. LOL..I use tongs to get the worms out. I haven't graduated to my hands yet but when I feed the worms, I use only my hands. i will definitely try using just my hands on tomorrow's feeding. i'll let you know how it goes.
Great stuff, you'll get there I'm sure all in good time! Do keep me updated with how you get along too!
Where did you get your worm bin
@@daycol2 started with uncle Jim's worm farm if you are in the US.
I don't know if anyone has suggested this before but you can get worme scissors from fishing shops they work great and definitely easier for people who are squeamish you can look away and just do it quickly
I got the scissors. No cutting board needed and just a few quick snips and my worms are ready to go!
I just got my first axolotl today! It’s a juvenile about 3 inches :) I’ve been watching your videos for months getting ready for it to arrive!!! Do you have any videos about juvenile axolotl care? Thanks!!!! You are AWESOME!!!
Quick question, any reason why the worm was trying to come back out from my Axolotl’s gills after I fed one to him?
Is it possible that worms can be too strong for an axolotl? They manage to wiggle out of her mouth and discourages her to eat.. any advice?
Hi! Please please do a video on how to make an indoor worm farm!🤗
Thanks for the idea! I'm going to be working on this very soon!
Do you think it would be ok to put a giant clam in with axolotls
I’ve hear stories about earthworms escaping in people’s fridges. If I buy them at a store, is there a way they won’t escape without having to make my own earthworm farm?
For anyone worried about the cruelty of feeding worms... They're incapable of feeling pain! Definitely helps me sleep at night knowing that.
Thanks for sharing that with us, and yes I have heard studies do confirm this to be indeed true! Certainly makes the process feel less dreadful!
I'm still mentally preparing to do this to another being for something I want lol.
It's been known, at least since 1979, that worms do feel pain. They are unable to anticipate pain but they most definitely feel pain. 9/11/1979 New York Times article - "Past studies by other scientists had suggested that invertebrates such as earthworms - animals lacking backbones - do not produce enkephalins or endorphins. The presumption from this was that since there are no selfproduced opiates in invertebrate animals they probably do not feel pain. But the Swedish team reported that not only are these substances present in earthworms, but they are localized in immunoreactive nerves in the cerebral ganglion - the earthworm's equivalent of a brain."
Of course, as recently as 2021, articles and studies are still being published on the subject. For example;
" Yes, it is now accepted that worms feel pain - and that includes when they are cut in half.
They do not anticipate pain or feel pain as an emotional response, however. They simply move in response to pain as a reflex response.
They may curl up or move away, for example, from painful or negative stimuli."
AIMEN MIRZA, “DO WORMS FEEL PAIN? (CAN EARTHWORMS SENSE PAINFUL STIMULI?)” AT WORMMY (OCTOBER 12, 2021)
The general consensus is now, as it has been for some time, that nearly every creature has a pain response. It was once thought, arrogantly and ignorantly, that only intelligent creatures were able to suffer pain, that the less intelligence present, the less pain. Of course this is backward thinking. A smarter creature needs less pain frequency and intensity to learn the same lesson as a less intelligent creature. It only follows, from an evolutionary standpoint, that less intelligent creatures should therefore feel pain more intensely than more intelligent species so as to more effectively steer them away from the dangers which induce the response.
I hate having to cut them up! It breaks my heart. I know there just worms but it’s so hard for me to do!
How many times a day do you need to feed them?
is it ok if i order them offline with dirt? and like wash the dirt off. i’m scared about my ax eating the dirt
Hi I've got a lucy ' my first one' her eyes turn blue almost every day' will her eyes stay blue?
If you cut a worm in half and put one half back in the container.. the half you left alive will heal its torn end and live as a normal worm.. nightcrawlers have 10 hearts and are meant to live after predators chomp one end.
How facinating! Thanks for sharing! Yes, I usually chop them up really quickly to be as humane as possible when preparing the worms for my axolotls. They can wiggle for hours afterwards! Incredible little critters!
I just use a scissors for mine but might switch to using a knife.thank you
Hi I’m getting an Axolotl very soon and I was wondering when I start to cycle my aquarium should I keep the filter on ?? and I’m cycling will take a few weeks but I’m getting her next week, so do I put her in a quarantine tank with dechlorinated water and do daily water changes or do I need to add something else to the water? x
Hi there, Tommy. And many thanks for your message!
Yes, you'll want to keep your filter running during the tan cycling process. Did you catch my video on how to successfully cycle an aquarium? I think this might be helpful to you and explains in greater detail the questions asked!
Frankie's Aquatics Ill go watch that now thanks!
Not a question on feeding but still curious... do female axolotl also grow a bulge near their genitalia or am I tripping that pixel has a little bulge?
I always feel bad when cutting up night crawlers, even though they can’t feel pain. I can’t wait till my little 6inch axie gets bigger so she can handle full grown crawlers! She boycotts pellets since they don’t move😂
I'm wondering if you do any prep work to flush the worme poop to reduce it getting into your tanks?
Thanks for your comment! You can indeed quarantine your worms before use, however no prep goes into the worms other than that. 😊
so currently i’m feeding my axolotl blood worms but how much should he be eating and how often? he always seems like he’s hungry liek multiple times throughout the day. i don’t want to over feed him but i’m also afraid i’m not feeding enough.
Great video! Is it possible to freeze some chopped worms in an ice cube tray for convenience? Obviously fresh is best but just wondering
Great idea! Although I haven't tried this myself, I couldn't see it being an issue so long as you feed them rather quickly after you defrost them, otherwise they'll stink lol. Let me know how you get on if you give this a try!
I tried to raise Koi in a natural pond, but after I stocked it, I returned to find a Great Blue Heron, who said, "So long, and Thanks for All the Fish."
So why do you chop them up and feed some whole worms?
My son has a large tank like 4 foot tank with 2 koi and 2 goldfish!
Oh smashing! Sounds perfect! :D
When can I start feeding my juvenile axolotl earthworms instead of blood worms?
Anytime really. As long as you cut them up small enough. They normally spit them out if they're to big :)
Exactly as Olivia suggests! I usually try and convert them over onto earthworms when blood worms just aren't satisfying them any longer. And if you do just be sure to prep the earth worms to a sensible size for the size of the axolotl too.
I hope this helps!
Hello, I got some axolotls last week and I have mad a wormery using a clear 50 x 40cm tub with a lid but the worms keek escaping. It is just over half full so they’re managing to climb up the side, under the lid then fall down on the floor. Do you have any tips on how to stop this from happening? C
Ive got a diy worm farm at home. Sometimes the worms will crawl up the sides or on the under side of the lid. Is the lid air tight?
Olivia Viney not really, it’s just a normal lid that clips at two of the the sides
@@jaketrewick988 Yeah thats what i have. I havent had any "escape" but they've been close to it or they sit on the rim of the container. Maybe try one thats more air tight? But just put in some air holes so they can get some ventilation but not escape from them :) or maybe try and get an actual worm farm container?
@@jaketrewick988 if the soil is to wet, overfeeding, poor bin design, not enough ventilation could be the issue too
Olivia Viney thank you, the soil isnt too wet and everything else seems fine. I have some holes in the lid which are too small for them to get through. Maybe I’ll try to add a little bit more soil and fill it up a bit more
Hello from Australia, I would like to know if i can introduce another Axolotl my tank. The tank is huge and I recently lost my axolotl's friend.. . Im not interested in breeding but would love another to watch swim around. Also just want to add Your videos have helped me get the tank properly sorted and have things ticking along perfectly now just from your videos. cheers
I think its usually okay to introduce new axies to the tank as long as they're roughly the same size :)
But also, quarantine the new axie for a few weeks just in case!
Thank you so much! I'm truly grateful for your support, and pleased to see my videos have proved useful to you!
You can introduce your axolotl when they are of a similar size, just be extra cautious when you introduce them just so no unnecessary nipping takes place.
Sometimes they'll get a little pushy with one another, usually one being more dominant than the other, but thankfully this usually subsides fairly soon.
Also be aware that if you do have opposite sex and they are well fed and happy they will undoubtedly produce offspring.
Thanks again for the support, and I hope this information helps!
EARTHWORM SALLY
my axles are about 6" now and I am having a hard time with two of them eating earthworms. they will eat bloodworms and blackworms but won't eat the earthworms. any suggestions?
jason mayer cut them up smaller/mix them in with blood worm
Sometimes axolotls can be fussy with earthworms . Depending on what type of worm they are
Hi Jason, thank you for your comment. Sorry to see you're having trouble getting your axolotl to convert over onto earthworms. There's a few tips I can suggest!
Firstly, you should have a good sprinkle of luck following as Sophia has suggested below, and mixing the chopped earthworms with some of his bloodworms, almost tricking the little sausage to try other foods.
Secondly, give them a good wash before feeding, (the earthworms, that is! lol) Earthworms usually discrete a nasty smelling liquid when they feel threatened, which I can only imagine must taste pretty dreadful, this often turns the axolotl off of wanting to eat them, which is of course it's intended purpose, so if you wash them beforehand they often appear more appetising to your axolotl.
I hope this information helps! And please do keep me updated with how everything goes!
Thanks for giving great advice there, Sophia!
I feed my two year old axololts small smelt fish, they love it but it makes a mess unfortunately.
I use a old t shirt to cover my wormery so worms don't escape
It is not cruel because worms can't feel pain look it up on google if you don't believe me. So, you are good!
Hey Frankie, new sub here. My partner and myself just got 2 6 month Olds. I found your channel today and it is super helpful. Do you have an Instagram so I can send you on a few questions and queries? I have experience with fish and turtles but my fish time with Axies and loving it so far. Their personalities are mad.
Oh well it’s just a worm 🪱 lol I have baby Axolotl and am just trying to feed them worms.