Stressed, appetite is decreasing

Hey Everyone, new to the board, apologies if I'm in the wrong area.

I got my daughter a Bearded Dragon, which has become my bearded dragon. I have been reading like crazy, on many different platforms including this one which is a lifesaver. I haven't felt the need to create an account until now.

My Beardie is probably 4-5 months old as I believe Petsmart doesn't sell them til around 4 months. Then I've had him for a few weeks now so.. he's around whatever age that is. If I had to guess he's around 10 inches long, if not a little longer.

His Cage
20 Gallon
150W Basking Bulb
10.0 Reptisun Bulb (Just turned it back on)
5.0 Reptisun Tube
Both on top of the screen, I don't see how you can mount them below the screen.
Basking Spot is a Cozy 105 degree's F.
Lights on a 12 hour schedule to turn on at 9AM and go off at 9PM

He was eating 4-5 crickets a feeding 3-5 times a day, a few times during the week I'd sprinkle the crickets with calcium. Hasn't ate too many veggies, although we've tried to leave them in there he doesn't show interest.

Then 2-3 days ago he shed. Which I was so excited about, to me it meant that he was growing, which to me meant he was healthy! Since then he has barely been eating. We bathe him every other day and he drinks. This morning he only had 1 cricket. I try to be patient and not attempt feeding every hour, instead I wait 3-4 hours hoping he'll be hungry. My main concern here is his appetite has completely disappeared.

Then I started noticing stress spots, and they could have been there the whole time but now I'm super aware of them and it scares me. Earlier I was going to bathe him since he didn't want to eat and he started fluffing and I could tell he was angry, so I took him back to his cage. Right now he's basking.

Not sure what to do.

Ok so a 150 watt bulb on a 20 gallon tank I am saying you got to be cooking him - what are his basking temps and how are you taking them ??? I had my baby set up in a 20 gallon long and only used a 75 watt bulb --- you should be taking those temps w/ a infrared heat gun or a digital probe NO stick ons-- stress marks are probably coming from too much heat -- another thing what are you using for a UVB? Brand and bulb-------------- he is not going to be in that tank long I would start looking for a 40 gallon minimum-- but actually a 75-120 gallon is best -- recommended for a full size dragon ---- you can check FB market place or craigslist for tanks and look for one that has front doors -- they are most convenient---
Karrie

@KarrieRee

I don't think that's the case. I have digital thermometer that is reading 104.4 2 inches ABOVE his basking spot. I thought 150W was excessive as well, which is why I had to go buy the 100W to replace the 75W it came with.. and was pissed when I had to go AGAIN to buy a 150W because the temps weren't getting up to 100 degrees.

My post has the brand and bulb information listed under the cage.

Ok sorry -- the probe needs to sit for 10 minutes at the spot he sits--your getting ambient temps-- you need temp on spot he's sitting - move the probe onto that spot wait 10 minutes---- the 5.0 is on top of tank which is good-- decor should be sitting 6-8 inches-- there should be no cover on the fixture over the bulb and if you can take the screen off and set UVB width wise-- that screen is blocking 30%=of those days---
Karrie

KarrieRee":310ksifg said:

Ok sorry -- the probe needs to sit for 10 minutes at the spot he sits--your getting ambient temps-- you need temp on spot he's sitting - move the probe onto that spot wait 10 minutes---- the 5.0 is on top of tank which is good-- decor should be sitting 6-8 inches-- there should be no cover on the fixture over the bulb and if you can take the screen off and set UVB width wise-- that screen is blocking 30%=of those days---
Karrie

Click to expand...

Karrie,

No reason to apologize! I appreciate your help. I placed the thermometer lead right on his rock... it's only getting to 108 (although I wonder how hot the rock itself is, he doesn't get on it much.) Which is so suprising to me since... well, 150w bulb about 10 inches above on top of the screen.

It's one of those dual light things, so in there I have the bulb, and a 10.0 Reptisun UVB light. Then I have a tube light going 2/3 length of the cage but it's a 5.0 TH5 tube or whatever.

I

Turn the coil off -- just use your T 5 ------ -- the 5.0 is like a T 8 the bulb isnt as strong but perfect for that small tank --- if hes not getting on that rock its probably too hot --- put that probe on that rock and get a temp-he does need the UVB and w / the screen on its blocking the rays and that 5.0 is not going to be able to get thru it or very little -- not good
Karrie

Hi there,

Could you get some pictures of your setup for us perhaps?
A picture of your dragon would be nice too.

I agree, turn off the reptisun that is in the dual fixture. Those are what we call the CFL bulbs or the compact coil bulbs. They really aren't effective for our dragons. The reptisun 5.0 T5 you have is much better. The 10.0 T5 would be better though. Are you sure it's the t5 bulb and not the standard t8 bulb though? If you turn off the bulb you should see the marking on one end, or if you have the box.

So he is eating 12-25 crickets a day or so?

How big was his recent shed? Full body?
Shedding often causes them a lot of stress, and many dragons don't have much of an appetite while shedding. But typically once they are done they get their appetite back. Is it possible he is going to shed another area now?

Spots huh? If we could get pictures that would help.

-Brandon

claudiusx":1dpy6lyl said:

Hi there,

Could you get some pictures of your setup for us perhaps?
A picture of your dragon would be nice too.

I agree, turn off the reptisun that is in the dual fixture. Those are what we call the CFL bulbs or the compact coil bulbs. They really aren't effective for our dragons. The reptisun 5.0 T5 you have is much better. The 10.0 T5 would be better though. Are you sure it's the t5 bulb and not the standard t8 bulb though? If you turn off the bulb you should see the marking on one end, or if you have the box.

So he is eating 12-25 crickets a day or so?

How big was his recent shed? Full body?
Shedding often causes them a lot of stress, and many dragons don't have much of an appetite while shedding. But typically once they are done they get their appetite back. Is it possible he is going to shed another area now?

Spots huh? If we could get pictures that would help.

-Brandon

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Brandon... he was wating 12-25 a day... hes stopped after the shed. Hes now only taking nibbles at kale or some dried snacks... i still have feeding times with crickets and give him 15 mins.... he just lets them walk around him. Been attempting daily baths... im at a loss here.

So basking temps and that UVB is the most important thing for him to eat-- did you get a basking temp w/ the probe as to where he's sitting-- and the UVB where is it at now?
Karrie

KarrieRee":1b6n2k94 said:

So basking temps and that UVB is the most important thing for him to eat-- did you get a basking temp w/ the probe as to where he's sitting-- and the UVB where is it at now?
Karrie

Click to expand...

Yes, ive dropped the light down to 100w.... between 95-101 in his basking spot... took the screen off... uvb on him.

Ok so the shedding may have something to do w/ the light appetite --it can effect him -- just keep offering him his food -- the 5.0 is directly above him w/ no screen? or do you have it on the screen -
Karrie

I just had to do whats in this video. https://youtu.be/iYVe79z5wEM .... got 3 crickets down. The fact this video exists and has 66k viewe makes me feel like this is a common problem and that sometimes it must be done. I feel i have lighting down... will try tomorrow to feed regularly.

Edit... the weirdest part is.. she had 0 stress spots and didnt seem to get angry at all.. i was nervous handling her like this thinking shed get mad... but it went really well and really humane

He's eating on his own I would not force feed him-- that is the last thing you want to do-- he is going thru relocation stress that and shedding will effect his eating - force feeding is just gonna stress him more- as long as he's eating something he's good+ it's when they completely quit eating is when you get concerned- his basking temps 105-110 taken w/ a infrared heat gun or digital probe and your UVB at the proper distance w/ a reflector - he will be good
Karrie

Hello,

Sorry you are having some trouble, it's hard getting the initial setup all correct.
Also, they do go through a relocation stress too when they are brought into a new home.
Definitely post some pictures of your tank setup now, so we can look it over & be sure it
is all placed correctly.
The youngsters usually don't eat too many greens but keep offering them & hopefully he
will view them as food eventually! Shedding does affect their appetites also. Are the
crickets smaller than the space between his eyes?

Tracie