Beardie seems discolored

[Massivenub]

I've owned him for about 2 months now, and I haven't seen discoloration like this, so I'm not too sure what it is. Is it normal for them to become discolored?

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[AHBD]

Hi there....are you talking about the orange on his tail ? I can't see too clearly, but if that's calcium sand then it will stain him. By the way, that stuff can cause terrible impaction, you might want to switch ASAP. It turns in to sludge if they eat it....Google " calci sand impaction" and you'll see some bad stuff. You can replace it with newspaper or non adhesive shelf liner.

 

[Lovereptiles]

Your first photo of your dragon does look dark coloration to the skin. Could be a distress sign of impaction. You are using colored sand and would make your dragons tail orange. Is he eating or not and how much. When was the last time your dragon pooped. If it is impacted a little olive oil would help. Few drops by mouth.
also I did notice your dragons size. And looks way to big for that tank. Even at your dragons size a 40 gallon breeder tank is correct size for a adult dragon over 12 inches. I agree with newspaper easy to replace when your little one goes to the bathroom. Shelf liner is great I use it. But my only problem is there claws really tear it up. Usually replace it often. Hope this helps and I like be as much detailed possible. Good luck

 

[Massivenub]

Hi! thank you for the responses, I googled impaction but I don't believe that's a factor. Honestly, I was referring to his head and back, they're becoming somewhat pale looking. As for calcium, I feed him can'o'crickets with calcium on them by spoon and no calcium really gets on his body other than around his mouth.

I give him frequent baths (Once every 4 days or so), his eyes are open and he's very alert, he poops whenever. I believe he poops pretty much everyday.. pees everyday.. his pee looks fine and so does his poop. Though one day it looked strangely green..

Are flyers a good substitution? I noticed this is very, very bad substrate and I plan to get rid of it. I noticed if water gets to it, it appears to become sludgy and thick. He doesn't eat it, he doesn't really pay much attention to it.

I feed him daily, he's a juvenile, so I often feed him crickets everyday (However many he'll eat in roughly 5 minutes or so, bit by bit), as well as often leave veggies/fruit out for him to eat. I've looked into what's safe and what's not-so-safe and go by that. He definitely will eat them right up!

What I have is 'Vita-Sand', it has calcium and I think he has only eaten a smidge of it maybe once or twice when trying to get a piece of broccoli or something else. That was a while ago though.

The crickets I give him currently are mini-crickets and I feed him many.

If he has been impacted, how would I know, and how would I treat it?

Yes, my beardie is roughly 7-8 months old, and he needs a MUCH larger tank. I plan to upgrade in the coming weeks to a 40 gallon. I would get rid of my 20 gallon or trade it, but it appears there's a crack on one end so I can no longer trade it to somebody, or sell it, so I'll find mysel a full price 40 gallon. It makes it difficult for lighting, too.

 

[AHBD]

Being dark is not a health issue, he may be heading for a shed pretty soon. Sometimes they are dark if they are on the cold side, too. That's different than a dark beard which indicates hormonal excitement in males and if a dragon is very ill or stressed [ male or female ]

By the way, if you're feeding him small crickets, you can definitely move up to medium/large, he's big enough. You won't need as many to fill him up then. You say he eats greens, that's great ....they are loaded with nutrition and help in hydration. The best kinds are turnip, mustard, collard dandelion and arugula as well as various squash.

And if he was impacted he'd be straining to poo with no results, so if he's pooing he's not impacted.