Beardie suddenly stopped eating

Hatchi

Member
Beardie name(s)
Alfred AKA The UlanBaby
Hello -
My 8-9 month old beardie suddenly refused bugs and stopped eating today. Yesterday completely fine, ate like normal and acted normal. Today he seems a little lethargic and won’t leave his basking spot.
Recent changes:
-From 40 to 120 gallon tank (2 weeks ago) no change in appetite until now so we figured he was adjusting fine.
-from small dubia to medium sized dubia
-currently shedding on his back
Basking area is 95-100 degrees, uvb is reptisun t5 10.0 high output and mounted inside tank.
I tried offering him BFSL as well and he refused.
He had a huge poo today so I don’t think it’s impaction. Only difference was his urate was a little watery today.
He seems a bit “sad” and a little grumpier than usual today.
Any advice would be helpful, thank you!
It could be your little guy is experiencing some hormone changes. However, if it gets worse and he does not eat for like 3 days, you should contact a vet. But rest assured, these eating problems are never something severe or life-risking.
 

Pward

Member
Original Poster
It could be your little guy is experiencing some hormone changes. However, if it gets worse and he does not eat for like 3 days, you should contact a vet. But rest assured, these eating problems are never something severe or life-risking.
Thank you!! I replaced his UVB today and gave him a bath and he pooped in the bath, so I highly doubt it’s impaction. However, he is still not moving around too much, just pretty much staying on his basking spot. He did eat about 6-8 dubias today and a few BSFL, but definitely has slowed down. He was so ravenous prior to this, eating 25 dubias twice a day along with greens and squash.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Thank you!! I replaced his UVB today and gave him a bath and he pooped in the bath, so I highly doubt it’s impaction. However, he is still not moving around too much, just pretty much staying on his basking spot. He did eat about 6-8 dubias today and a few BSFL, but definitely has slowed down. He was so ravenous prior to this, eating 25 dubias twice a day along with greens and squash.
Where is the uvb? And what uvb are you using? Brand and bulb-- if it's incorrectly placed they will stop eating -
 

Pward

Member
Original Poster
We are using reptisun t5 10.0 HO. Initially I think it was mounted too close to the front when we switched him to a new/bigger enclosure. I have since moved it back and replaced the bulb. Picture on the right is the old placement.
 

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KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
We are using reptisun t5 10.0 HO. Initially I think it was mounted too close to the front when we switched him to a new/bigger enclosure. I have since moved it back and replaced the bulb. Picture on the right is the old placement.
Ok so what is the distance now? It should not be closer than 12"
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Also can should it be directly placed over the top of him or can I be tilted so the light is hitting him?
It’s a bit different going from 40 gal to 120 😓
Level not tilted directly above the basking decor -measure the top of decor to the bulb
 

Pward

Member
Original Poster
Level not tilted directly above the basking decor -measure the top of decor to the bulb
Okay. It’s about 9” from the top of the basking decor. We also moved the basking light inside the enclosure.
Does this look ok or should we move the uvb up some?
 

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KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Okay. It’s about 9” from the top of the basking decor. We also moved the basking light inside the enclosure.
Does this look ok or should we move the uvb up some?
Please adjust the uvb up to 12-15 inches- your basking bulb looks like it's giving off a yellowish hue- and I would give him another decor piece to bask under for your uvb---
 

Pward

Member
Original Poster
Please adjust the uvb up to 12-15 inches- your basking bulb looks like it's giving off a yellowish hue- and I would give him another decor piece to bask under for your uvb---
Why another decor piece? A smaller one? Shouldn’t be be basking under the uvb and basking bulb at the same time?
The basking bulb looks like that cause I have to turn it down on the dimmer to get the correct temp. I will monitor it and if it gets too hot that close I will move it back outside the enclosure.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Why another decor piece? A smaller one? Shouldn’t be be basking under the uvb and basking bulb at the same time?
The basking bulb looks like that cause I have to turn it down on the dimmer to get the correct temp. I will monitor it and if it gets too hot that close I will move it back outside the enclosure.
It's good to give them an option to get uvb w/ out heat too - it's just a suggestion - maybe a rock of some sort - see if he will use it
 

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