3 month old beardie difficult eater

[Yeecaw]

3 weeks ago I got a baby beardie and he’s now almost 3 months at 23.6g, which sounds like it’s on the low end. I’ve been offering dubia roaches but lately he’s been very picky about eating them, only doing so when I tong feed and capping at around 40 a day (won’t eat crickets or hornworms). He won’t eat them from the bowl when he would before - not sure if he’s just spoiled, but trying to out wait him hasn’t worked and I want him to start growing. He doesn’t look very different from when I first got him.

I got a fecal test and the vet said it looked perfect. He poops every day, is in a 4x2x2 zen habitats with a 24” t5 uvb with reflector under the screen which he can get within 9” of. I calcium dust with no d3 3-4 times a week, and with d3 2 times, plus 2 times for vitamins. I thought maybe the temps were low, so I added an 80w deep heat projector alongside his 150w basking bulb, which has his basking spot at 105-110, hot side 80-90, cold side around 75.

He’s been shedding his back and head the past week and I’m not sure if that’s why he’s being difficult, maybe he’s uncomfortable? But from what I’ve googled, babies usually still eat well while shedding. I’ve given him a few baths as well to help with the shedding. Just want to make sure he grows properly and not sure if this is normal!

 

[mango_the_beardie]

3 weeks ago I got a baby beardie and he’s now almost 3 months at 23.6g, which sounds like it’s on the low end. I’ve been offering dubia roaches but lately he’s been very picky about eating them, only doing so when I tong feed and capping at around 40 a day (won’t eat crickets or hornworms). He won’t eat them from the bowl when he would before - not sure if he’s just spoiled, but trying to out wait him hasn’t worked and I want him to start growing. He doesn’t look very different from when I first got him.

I got a fecal test and the vet said it looked perfect. He poops every day, is in a 4x2x2 zen habitats with a 24” t5 uvb with reflector under the screen which he can get within 9” of. I calcium dust with no d3 3-4 times a week, and with d3 2 times, plus 2 times for vitamins. I thought maybe the temps were low, so I added an 80w deep heat projector alongside his 150w basking bulb, which has his basking spot at 105-110, hot side 80-90, cold side around 75.

He’s been shedding his back and head the past week and I’m not sure if that’s why he’s being difficult, maybe he’s uncomfortable? But from what I’ve googled, babies usually still eat well while shedding. I’ve given him a few baths as well to help with the shedding. Just want to make sure he grows properly and not sure if this is normal!

the problem is the uvb-
the size the uvb needs to be is a 30" at least for an 120 gallon which is what you have
and the average weight for a 3 month old is 20-110 grams so i'd say he's average

 

[Yeecaw]

the problem is the uvb-
the size the uvb needs to be is a 30" at least for an 120 gallon which is what you have
and the average weight for a 3 month old is 20-110 grams so i'd say he's average

1/2 is recommended according to this study for t5s

 

[hdochow]

since your enclosure is a 4x2x2, either a 24" or 36" fixture will work. i've never seen one come in a 30"

 

[Rubble1212]

Yeah there’s no t5 in a 30 inch fixture just like the previous post 24 or 36 is fine for your enclosure. What brand uvb are you using just so we know? When my guy shed regardless of age he always stopped eating for a while it’s not a big deal. When I started feeding black soldier fly larvae he really started growing.

Large Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Start shopping for large feeding-grade fly larvae. We are dedicated to the best quality here at Symton Black Soldier Fly.

symtonbsf.com

 

[Yeecaw]

Yeah there’s no t5 in a 30 inch fixture just like the previous post 24 or 36 is fine for your enclosure. What brand uvb are you using just so we know? When my guy shed regardless of age he always stopped eating for a while it’s not a big deal. When I started feeding black soldier fly larvae he really started growing.

Large Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Start shopping for large feeding-grade fly larvae. We are dedicated to the best quality here at Symton Black Soldier Fly.

symtonbsf.com

the hood is Reptisun and bulb is Arcadia

I’ve got some BSFL ordered so hoping that’ll inspire him to eat more!

 

[hdochow]

watch with the BSFL when feeding. even the largest size is small so dragons will tend to gobble them whole without chewing. this will cause them to come out whole in poop. not a big deal health wise, but kind of a waste nutrition per dollar wise. you can slow that down by either hand feeding, or topping salads with them a couple at a time.

 

[Rubble1212]

Good point hdochow I remember when my little guy was small it wasn’t a big deal because the worms seemed big for his little mouth lol. When he got bigger he would eat mouthfuls of them and I switched to a larger feeder but as long as he’s eating them and growing I think it’s worth it?

 

[Yeecaw]

He’s pretty small right now, I’m sure he’ll have to chew them!

 

[Rubble1212]

Yeah he’ll be fine maybe start with like 10 or so see if he chews them well then give him some more until he’s full let him eat until he’s stopped eating them. I use to keep 2 water bottles in the freezer and keep them in a small cooler and rotate the bottles I used to get 2000 at a time which Sympton sends you 2400 to last for at least a month just don’t put them in the fridge it’s to cold they do good about 55 degrees if it’s warmer they’ll turn to flies quicker which my guys use to love chasing the flies around he was a maniac trying to catch them lol

 

[Yeecaw]

Yeah he’ll be fine maybe start with like 10 or so see if he chews them well then give him some more until he’s full let him eat until he’s stopped eating them. I use to keep 2 water bottles in the freezer and keep them in a small cooler and rotate the bottles I used to get 2000 at a time which Sympton sends you 2400 to last for at least a month just don’t put them in the fridge it’s to cold they do good about 55 degrees if it’s warmer they’ll turn to flies quicker which my guys use to love chasing the flies around he was a maniac trying to catch them lol

I actually already learned that lesson a few weeks…fridge definitely murdered them all rip :’(

 

[Rubble1212]

I did the same thing when I first got them lol

 

[Yeecaw]

I’m glad I’m not alone in accidental larva mass murder lol