Alert and not stressed but low appetite and always hiding

[NelsonBernard]

Hi

My baby is about months old now. In the last few days he's hardly eaten...about 4 or 5 locusts and a couple bits of greens a day.

He seems very alert, doesnt sleep when his lights are on and is a nice bright colour but seems to always hide behind his cactus.

When I moved his cactus to the other side of the tank, he glass surfed like never before until I put it back.

Is this some kind of brumation or is he just being chill? The main concern is his lack of eating this week.

Again, hes very alert and not showing signs of stress, doesnt mind being handled.

Temperature is approx. 102° and has an arcadia uv light, a basking lamp and a CHE.

 

[KarrieRee]

Good lighting-- where is it at on the tank ---? is it inside or on the top of screen? How big of tank do you have him in? Can you post pics of the tank and lighting --? if hes a baby he should be eating 20 or more crickets / feeding or as many in a 10-15 minute time--- 6-8 dubia roaches per feeding -- are you giving him D3 calcium powder 5 x per week and vitamins 2 x per week --
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

You missed the part about his age. Can you clarify on his age?

-Brandon

 

[NelsonBernard]

You missed the part about his age. Can you clarify on his age?

-Brandon

Oops, he's about 5 months old

 

[NelsonBernard]

Good lighting-- where is it at on the tank ---? is it inside or on the top of screen? How big of tank do you have him in? Can you post pics of the tank and lighting --? if hes a baby he should be eating 20 or more crickets / feeding or as many in a 10-15 minute time--- 6-8 dubia roaches per feeding -- are you giving him D3 calcium powder 5 x per week and vitamins 2 x per week --
Karrie

I tried introducing him to dubias but he tried 2 and hes just not having it since then. I usually feed him crickets but when he stopped eating as much I tried locusts and he devoured a tub full but now hes not even too keen on them.

I actually tend to sprinkle both powders every day on his veg

He doesnt tend to bask under the lamp but he will hide under his log which is beneath it.

This was him 6 days ago looking super fine though

 

[NelsonBernard]

 

[KarrieRee]

If the locusts are similar to dubias I wouldn't be concerned as they are more filling however does he bask? Is he pooping regularly?
Karrie

 

[NelsonBernard]

If the locusts are similar to dubias I wouldn't be concerned as they are more filling however does he bask? Is he pooping regularly?
Karrie

He poops like a champion. No problems there...when he eats. He last pooped yesterday.

As for basking, he doesnt really stay on his log for long, he either lays on the floor under his plant or log or behind his cactus. Always at the warm end, just not under the lamp directly.

 

[KarrieRee]

What kind of basking bulb and what are the temps? Are you taking temps w/ a infrared heat gun?
Karrie

 

[NelsonBernard]

What kind of basking bulb and what are the temps? Are you taking temps w/ a infrared heat gun?
Karrie

Ive used arcadia before but the bulb popped so im currently using

I dont have an infra red gun. Ive got a digital thermometer eith a probe.

This morning he refused dubia again but thats all I've got til I go for more bugs today. Hes showing stress marks currently but I'm not sure of thats just morning grumpiness.

As I type he is munching from his salad bowl and seems in good spirits otherwise.

 

[NelsonBernard]

 

[KarrieRee]

As long as the basking bulb is a bright white light and keeps temp 90-105 for adults and a little warmer for babies your good --- its the UVB that is crucial-- sometimes they get dark in the morning to absorb the heat -- the stress marks could mean somethings off -- it could be your basking temp is off-- the infrared heat gun will give you the most accurate temp -- probes usually give ambient temps- you want a temp of where he is sitting -- he should be eating those dubias like mad - they need the protein at this age and its great hes eating greens - mine wouldnt touch them hardly-- I am wondering if his basking spot is too warm and thats why hes hiding under the cactus-- I would suggest you start there and then see what happens--
Karrie

 

[NelsonBernard]

As long as the basking bulb is a bright white light and keeps temp 90-105 for adults and a little warmer for babies your good --- its the UVB that is crucial-- sometimes they get dark in the morning to absorb the heat -- the stress marks could mean somethings off -- it could be your basking temp is off-- the infrared heat gun will give you the most accurate temp -- probes usually give ambient temps- you want a temp of where he is sitting -- he should be eating those dubias like mad - they need the protein at this age and its great hes eating greens - mine wouldnt touch them hardly-- I am wondering if his basking spot is too warm and thats why hes hiding under the cactus-- I would suggest you start there and then see what happens--
Karrie

Thanks for your help!

Interestingly, I turned the basking lamp off and tried crickets and he ate about 20 one after the other.

I also moved his cactus and put the bulb back on and he hid behind the cactus in the new location. Turned it back off and now hes hiding under his log so maybe its his uv light

 

[KarrieRee]

Possible what kind of UVB light do you have ?
Karrie

 

[NelsonBernard]

Possible what kind of UVB light do you have ?
Karrie

Arcadia d3+ 12% uvb