Feeding concerns

[Ab24]

Hi! I got my first beardie about 2 weeks ago at just a few days hatched (i know awful, i had no idea, bad breeder but i know better now) and while he didnt eat the first few days he is eating some now... but everything I've read says 20-35 crickets is average and mine doesnt even attempt to eat more than 6-10 a day.. i am worried he wont grow properly or that he is starving. Ive tried closing him in a smaller area, and he still doesn't eat more than about 10. Any ideas? He also never touches his greens. I tried giving other things to entice him more but so far hes not interested. Help!! Pics to see if hes emaciated :/

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

Based on the photo provided he looks perfectly healthy so far, also very vibrant and cute

I wouldn't panic just yet - it took my baby beardie about 2 weeks before he gained a normal appetite, but in the mean while I was afraid he was starving and would die. To be safe I went and got some Repti-Boost and would syringe feed my little 2 month old. After starting that, he had a lot more pep, and now he's just an eating machine.

Could be just stress related, but as it's always recommended it's hard to confirm without all the details. (UVB, basking temp, tank temp, tank size, etc.) Please be sure to check the husbandry first to make sure it is up to par. I'd list the deets but I feel there are so many topics that already cover all of this I'd hate to be on repeat

 

[Ab24]

Thank you!! I set up his tank with the help of a breeder i found on fb. Hes in a 40 gallon, so huge for him now. I have noticed hes a lot more active lately than he was before. He tends to at least get out of his basking spot now where he wouldnt before. Hoping to see that appetite change here in a week or so!

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

Thank you!! I set up his tank with the help of a breeder i found on fb. Hes in a 40 gallon, so huge for him now. I have noticed hes a lot more active lately than he was before. He tends to at least get out of his basking spot now where he wouldnt before. Hoping to see that appetite change here in a week or so!

Keep us posted, it could be relocation stress or as mentioned maybe some tweaking of his setup if need be. My baby dragon was the same way for about 2 weeks. Would not eat, would not move from basking spot, and now he's a wild one at about 4 months old. Don't let yourself get too panicked!

For a better idea if it's anything tank related, please post some photos or list off what you have going on:

Tank size : you said 40g
UVB light : compact/bar?
Basking temp : Around 105? Thermometer used?
Cool side temp : Around 80?
Substrate : please don't say sand

All this information can help us help you out!
Congrats and welcome to the beardie family.
Cheers

 

[Ab24]

40 gallon tank. It goes to around 98-101 in basking spot. Has a compact uvb bulb, i couldnt find a bar anywhere in my small town, cool side is around 78-80 depening how warm the house is, its on one of those green felt mats because i read sand can be dangerous.

 

[Ab24]

Oh ane i check temp with an all living things electronic thermometer, and have the other ones in there to measure ambient temp and humidity

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

40 gallon tank. It goes to around 98-101 in basking spot. Has a compact uvb bulb, i couldnt find a bar anywhere in my small town, cool side is around 78-80 depening how warm the house is, its on one of those green felt mats because i read sand can be dangerous.

Sounds like you did your research! I also am using a compact UVB bulb for both my dragons and have not encountered any issues. My eldest is about a year and a half old, the aforementioned baby is about 4 months. I am wary of them due to how often they are shunned on this forum and will likely replace both as soon as I am able, however I have also read that reputable breeders use these with no issues as well - I believe the concern regarding the eye damage has been resolved over a year ago.

 

[CooperDragon]

If you use the compact bulbs you'll want to be sure to use the 26w version as the 13w is much too weak to be effective. The UVB150 and UVB200 from ExoTerra are decent. They should sit about 6-8'' above the basking area for best output and if you put two side by side, perhaps in a dual fixture, it will provide a wider spread of UVB if needed.

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

Besides the UVB bulb discussion, the only other thing I'd recommend is a tank background or something to cover up at least 2 of the 4 walls just to avoid stress and provide a more secure feeling. Otherwise it can definitely be a learn as you go deal regarding decor, basking spots, etc.

Just monitor your little guy and take cues from him on what he's needing

 

[Ab24]

Thank you! It is a 26 watt and they are about that high above. Every night i turn off the basking light and allow him time to just sit under the uvb for a few mins to make sure he gets plenty is that recommend? I believe i have the 150 exo terra light so perfect. I also put on a ceramic heater for nights since we keep the house cold.as well as under tank heater! Thank you for rhe background suggestion i will do that and see if it helps!

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

I personally have both sets of lights for both tanks go off at the same time via a timer, i.e basking bulb/uvb bulb off at the same time. I doubt leaving the UVB on will have any negative effects however depending on the time it might mess with their sleep.

I have no experience with a ceramic heater as I keep my house at 72 in winter, and for any cold summer nights the heat kicks in as soon as I hit 70. For that same reason I also do not have an under tank heater.

I'd say monitor the temps to make sure all that isn't too much but it sounds like you've got the hang on things

 

[CooperDragon]

I would just turn off the UVB light with the basking light (they can share a timer if you wish). With the higher output lights I tend to turn the UVB light on later and off earlier to try and simulate higher UVB/intensity in the middle of the day but it's not perfect. With the lower output coil I'd just keep it on for the same duration as the basking light. Here is a copy of my test results for that light. I usually recommend a UVI between about 3-5 or so in the basking area. Screen tops intercept an noticeable amount of UVB as well.

At night he should be fine if the temps stay above 65 or so. I like to keep my tank in the low 70s overnight which seems to work well. This requires only seasonal use of a ceramic heat emitter overhead.

 

[Ab24]

Thanks ill just start turnng the lights on and off at the same time. We keep the house about 65 at night and he is in the office room which is a bit colder since it is near a large open window. It probably is around 68 at night without the heater and no more than 75 with it. We keep it high above so it isn't too hot.

 

[AHBD]

His eating is fine so far for a hatchling. Babies do not eat at all for the first 2-4 days out of the egg [ they are sustained from the yolk sac ] So they do not start out eating the larger amounts at 2 weeks of age but over the next few weeks his/her appetite should increase.

 

[Ab24]

His eating is fine so far for a hatchling. Babies do not eat at all for the first 2-4 days out of the egg [ they are sustained from the yolk sac ] So they do not start out eating the larger amounts at 2 weeks of age but over the next few weeks his/her appetite should increase.

thank you!