6 Month Beardie Not Eating

[AmberKJagger]

Hi All,

New dragon owner here!! Seven my 6 month old has not eaten the last 3 days.

For some context he was fed about 12 crickets a day from the pet store where I brought him and some cabbage in the morning.

Since I’ve had him he’s now off crickets and on about 7 Dubai roaches and about 4 red runners (turkish roaches) these are fed at around 8am every morning, his lights come on at 6am. I then leave salad in his enclosure for the day (watercress/butternut squash etc) which he usually eats.

The last three days he has not touched any roaches which he usually goes mad for in the morning but has nibbled on some of the salad. Last bowel movement was 2 days ago and seemed normal. Doesn’t look like he’s shedding at all either. Maybe I am worrying but just seems a sudden change when he is normally fine.

Basking temp is at around 38 degrees, does this need to be hotter? Any advice/guidance would be really appreciated.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi All,

New dragon owner here!! Seven my 6 month old has not eaten the last 3 days.

For some context he was fed about 12 crickets a day from the pet store where I brought him and some cabbage in the morning.

Since I’ve had him he’s now off crickets and on about 7 Dubai roaches and about 4 red runners (turkish roaches) these are fed at around 8am every morning, his lights come on at 6am. I then leave salad in his enclosure for the day (watercress/butternut squash etc) which he usually eats.

The last three days he has not touched any roaches which he usually goes mad for in the morning but has nibbled on some of the salad. Last bowel movement was 2 days ago and seemed normal. Doesn’t look like he’s shedding at all either. Maybe I am worrying but just seems a sudden change when he is normally fine.

Basking temp is at around 38 degrees, does this need to be hotter? Any advice/guidance would be really appreciated.

Welcome to the forum- your 38 degree temp is being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer? That should be a surface temp as well -- also what UVB are you using? You did not mention that and it is extremely important - inadequate UVB will make them not eat- please tell me brand and bulb and where do you have the UVB - on top of your screen or inside the tank? Please do not feed anymore cabbage - I am posting a nutrition website for you ignore the kale its a good staple feeder - Nutrition Content
Once we get the basking temps and the UVB figured out we can go on to other causes for the not eating

 

[Hazel_Basil10]

Okay! That sounds great of what you're doing!

 

[AmberKJagger]

Welcome to the forum- your 38 degree temp is being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer? That should be a surface temp as well -- also what UVB are you using? You did not mention that and it is extremely important - inadequate UVB will make them not eat- please tell me brand and bulb and where do you have the UVB - on top of your screen or inside the tank? Please do not feed anymore cabbage - I am posting a nutrition website for you ignore the kale its a good staple feeder - Nutrition Content
Once we get the basking temps and the UVB figured out we can go on to other causes for the not eating

Hi yes it’s being measured with a digital probe yes. I’m using a 6% T5 arcadia for UVB which is inside the tank. Don’t worry he has had no cabbage since being with me.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi yes it’s being measured with a digital probe yes. I’m using a 6% T5 arcadia for UVB which is inside the tank. Don’t worry he has had no cabbage since being with me.

How tall is your tank? I would recommend getting a 12% bulb if your tank is 18" high - depending on the screen on your tank the UVB has options for placement- the distance will determine placement as well - what is the distance you have the 6% at?

 

[AmberKJagger]

How tall is your tank? I would recommend getting a 12% bulb if your tank is 18" high - depending on the screen on your tank the UVB has options for placement- the distance will determine placement as well - what is the distance you have the 6% at?

Tank is about 19inches and bulb is placed on the inside so probably sitting around 17 inches from floor. I was going to go for the 12% but showed the pet store my set up and they said 6% would be ok. But will change if you recommend

 

[KarrieRee]

Tank is about 19inches and bulb is placed on the inside so probably sitting around 17 inches from floor. I was going to go for the 12% but showed the pet store my set up and they said 6% would be ok. But will change if you recommend

The distance for the 6% should be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor- for a 18 " tank a 12% would be better but distance in the tank 12-15 inches from basking decor- I would recommend you change it and then watch his behavior- at this point 17 inches is too far- what is the actual distance from the bulb to the basking decor piece?

 

[AmberKJagger]

The distance for the 6% should be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor- for a 18 " tank a 12% would be better but distance in the tank 12-15 inches from basking decor- I would recommend you change it and then watch his behavior- at this point 17 inches is too far- what is the actual distance from the bulb to the basking decor piece?

He has a branch directly under uvb bulb which is about 10inches away if he is perched on it. His basking decor it about 7 inches away from basking bulb if that

 

[AmberKJagger]

The distance for the 6% should be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor- for a 18 " tank a 12% would be better but distance in the tank 12-15 inches from basking decor- I would recommend you change it and then watch his behavior- at this point 17 inches is too far- what is the actual distance from the bulb to the basking decor piece?

Also got home earlier, he has eaten about 4 roaches and left 2 and I can see some shed around his eyes but no where else… he seems more himself today

 

[KarrieRee]

Also got home earlier, he has eaten about 4 roaches and left 2 and I can see some shed around his eyes but no where else… he seems more himself today

ok its good he ate - the shedding can cause them to go off their diet but I do recommend getting a stronger UVB -- the one you have now make sure its of correct distance -- 6-8 inches directly above his basking decor -- where does he sit for basking? How far away is he from the UVB?

 

[Hazel_Basil10]

I agree with Karriree

 

[Hazel_Basil10]

I agree with Karriree

*Karieree