What Do Axolotls Eat in Minecraft? A Complete Guide

One of the most unique and adorable creatures that players can come across is the Axolotl. These amphibians were introduced in Minecraft’s Caves & Cliffs update and have quickly become beloved by players due to their cuteness and interesting behavior. However, despite their popularity, many players are still unsure about what axolotls eat in Minecraft and how they interact with players in terms of feeding.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything there is to know about axolotls in Minecraft, focusing particularly on what they eat, how they can be fed, and what benefits players gain from feeding them.

Introduction to Axolotls in Minecraft

Before diving into their dietary needs, it’s important to understand who axolotls are in Minecraft.

Axolotls are neutral mobs in Minecraft that spawn naturally in the game’s lush caves biome, but they can also be found in underground water sources in other locations as well. They are known for their ability to regenerate health, a feature inspired by real-life axolotls, which are capable of regenerating lost limbs in reality.

In Minecraft, axolotls are also useful companions. They can be picked up in a bucket, and they will follow the player, offering help in various situations, especially when fighting underwater mobs like Drowned or Guardians. This makes them both adorable and highly functional creatures in the game.

What Do Axolotls Eat in Minecraft?

In the world of Minecraft, axolotls are carnivores. They primarily consume meat, and their diet consists of two main food sources:

1. Tropical Fish

The primary food source for axolotls in Minecraft is tropical fish. Players can feed axolotls tropical fish to make them breed or heal them. Tropical fish can be found in oceans and can be collected by fishing or by using a bucket to scoop them up from the water. There are numerous varieties of tropical fish, and although they come in different colors and patterns, all of them are acceptable as food for axolotls.

To feed an axolotl tropical fish, players simply need to have one in their inventory and right-click (on Java Edition) or press the feed button (on Bedrock Edition) while near the axolotl. When the axolotl consumes the tropical fish, it will either breed with another axolotl or regain some health if it was previously injured.

2. Bucket of Tropical Fish

Instead of feeding an axolotl a regular tropical fish, players can use a bucket of tropical fish to feed them. This works in the same way as using a regular tropical fish, but the advantage is that a bucket allows players to carry tropical fish more easily, and it can also be used to collect multiple tropical fish at once.

To feed an axolotl a bucket of tropical fish, players can either right-click or use the appropriate command to use the bucket of tropical fish directly. This method is particularly useful if you want to transport a lot of tropical fish to a location far away from their spawning grounds.

How to Use Axolotls in Breeding

Feeding axolotls is also key to their breeding process. Axolotls will breed when they are fed tropical fish or bucket of tropical fish. To initiate the breeding process, you need at least two axolotls in the same vicinity. Here’s how you can breed axolotls:

1. Find Two Axolotls: First, you need to find at least two axolotls. As mentioned, axolotls spawn in lush caves, but you can also pick them up in a bucket and transport them.
2. Feed Them Tropical Fish: Once you have two axolotls, you need to feed each of them tropical fish or a bucket of tropical fish. You can do this by right-clicking (Java) or pressing the feed button (Bedrock) while holding the fish in your hand.
3. Wait for Breeding: After being fed, the axolotls will enter love mode, indicated by hearts floating above their heads. Once they breed, a baby axolotl will spawn near them.
4. Caring for Baby Axolotls: Baby axolotls will grow into adults over time. To speed up the process, you can feed them tropical fish, and they will grow faster, which is a helpful strategy for players looking to breed axolotls for a specific purpose.

Healing Axolotls

Axolotls are helpful companions, particularly when players are diving into dangerous underwater areas. These creatures can help fight hostile underwater mobs like Drowned or Guardians. However, if an axolotl takes damage, it can be healed by feeding it tropical fish or bucket of tropical fish.

The healing process happens automatically once the axolotl consumes the fish. This is a key feature, as it allows axolotls to continue following you and assisting you in underwater combat situations.

Axolotl Behavior and Diet Interactions

Feeding axolotls does more than just heal them or make them breed. Their behavior in the game is heavily influenced by the food they are given. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Regeneration: As mentioned, axolotls can regenerate health after taking damage. Feeding them tropical fish helps in this healing process, making them more resilient when accompanying you during underwater exploration.
• Breeding: Axolotls will only breed when they are fed tropical fish or a bucket of tropical fish. Unlike many other mobs in the game, breeding axolotls does not require wheat or seeds, but rather a specific type of meat. This gives players more incentive to gather tropical fish if they want to increase their axolotl population.
• Water Preferences: Axolotls prefer to live in water, and they will often only follow players or attack underwater mobs while submerged in water. Feeding them tropical fish encourages this behavior, as the act of eating makes them stay close to water sources.
• Hostile Mob Interaction: If axolotls are in the water with hostile mobs, they will attempt to attack them. They are particularly effective against Drowned mobs, making them excellent companions for underwater combat. Their attacks can be strengthened and improved by feeding them tropical fish.

Additional Axolotl Facts

• Different Types of Axolotls: In Minecraft, there are different variants of axolotls, and the type of axolotl you encounter in your world is based on chance. There are five possible colors, including:
  • Leucistic (pinkish white)
  • Wild (brownish)
  • Gold
  • Magma
  • Cyan

  All axolotls can be fed the same food, regardless of their color, but the color does affect their appearance and rarity. Some players even breed for specific colors, especially the Magma and Cyan variants, which are rarer.

• Axolotls in Real Life: Minecraft’s depiction of axolotls is loosely based on the real-world axolotl, a species of salamander that is known for its regenerative abilities. Real axolotls are found in the wild in lakes in Mexico and are endangered due to habitat destruction.

Conclusion

Axolotls in Minecraft are fascinating creatures that bring a unique blend of cuteness and functionality to the game. Players can feed them tropical fish or a bucket of tropical fish, which not only allows them to breed and heal but also adds an extra layer of strategy for underwater adventures. Understanding what axolotls eat and how they interact with their environment can help you make the most of these delightful mobs, whether you’re using them in combat or simply enjoying their company as pets.