Can Axolotls Eat Red Wigglers? (Red Words)

Red wigglers are one of the most common composting worms, and if you keep a worm bin at home, you might have a nearly unlimited supply of them. So naturally, you might wonder if you can feed red wigglers to your axolotl. The answer to this one is actually a topic of some debate in the axolotl community.

The Red Wiggler Debate

Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) are different from the nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris) that are typically recommended as the primary food for axolotls. The controversy around red wigglers comes from the fact that these worms secrete a bitter, foul tasting substance when stressed or handled. This is a natural defense mechanism, and some axolotl keepers report that their axolotls spit out red wigglers or refuse to eat them because of this bitter coating.

Some owners also worry that this secretion could be harmful to axolotls. While there is no definitive scientific evidence that red wiggler secretions are toxic to axolotls, the bitter substance can cause some axolotls to gag, spit out the worm, or show signs of discomfort. Because of this uncertainty, many experienced keepers prefer to stick with nightcrawlers and avoid the potential issue entirely.

Can You Still Feed Red Wigglers?

Plenty of axolotl owners have fed red wigglers without any apparent issues. Some axolotls eat them eagerly and show no negative effects at all. The reality is that individual axolotls respond differently. Some will eat red wigglers happily, while others refuse them outright.

If you want to try feeding red wigglers, here are some tips to reduce the risk of problems. Rinse the worms thoroughly under cool, dechlorinated water before offering them. This can help wash away some of the bitter secretion on the surface. Start by offering just one worm and watch how your axolotl reacts. If it eats the worm without any spitting, gagging, or obvious discomfort, then your particular axolotl may tolerate them fine.

However, if your axolotl spits out the worm, shakes its head, or seems bothered, do not force the issue. Just switch to nightcrawlers and move on.

Why Nightcrawlers Are the Preferred Choice

Nightcrawlers are the gold standard of axolotl food for several good reasons. They do not produce the bitter secretion that red wigglers do. They are larger, which means more food per worm for your axolotl. They have an excellent nutritional profile with high protein, good moisture content, and a decent calcium to phosphorus ratio. And virtually all axolotls eat them eagerly.

You can buy nightcrawlers at bait shops, garden centers, Walmart, and online. They are inexpensive and widely available. You can even keep them alive in the refrigerator for weeks at a time in a container with damp bedding, making them a very convenient staple food.

Other Worm Options

If you are looking for variety beyond nightcrawlers, there are other worm options that are widely accepted as safe for axolotls. Blackworms are an excellent choice and are available at many fish stores. They are soft, small, and perfect for juveniles or as a treat for adults. Bloodworms (which are actually midge larvae, not true worms) are another popular choice, especially frozen cubes from the pet store.

The worms to avoid are mealworms, superworms, and waxworms. These have hard chitinous exoskeletons that axolotls cannot properly digest, and they carry a real risk of impaction. Stick with soft bodied worms, and your axolotl will be much better off.

The Bottom Line on Red Wigglers

Red wigglers are not the worst thing you could feed your axolotl, but they are also not the best. The bitter secretion they produce can cause some axolotls to reject them, and there is enough uncertainty about potential negative effects that most keepers prefer to just use nightcrawlers instead. Since nightcrawlers are easy to find, affordable, and universally accepted by axolotls, there is not a strong reason to use red wigglers unless nightcrawlers are truly unavailable in your area.

If you do have a worm bin full of red wigglers and want to try them, go ahead and test your axolotl’s reaction with a single rinsed worm. Your axolotl will let you know pretty quickly whether it is a fan or not.