My bearded dragon looks dead

[Turo]

So this started a few days ago i started to notice that he doesnt stay in his basking area anymore and he stays on the cooler side. All he does is lay flat and looks dead and i got scared one night and moved him and and just opened his eyes and thats it, he was very active and mostly would never let me pick him up now he just doesn't care and lays on my hand. I bought him 2 weeks ago.

INFO:
Basking area: 101
Cool side:80
Food: Fluckers and sometimes bannana and lettuce
( I have a feeling its cuz I haven't given him that calcium spray in his food)

 

[CooperDragon]

Is he a little guy? What do you have in place for UVB? If something is off with his lighting or temperatures it may be causing problems. How are you measuring his temperature gradient?

 

[Turo]

Yes he is a little guy and i have his daylight on the basking area and his UVB light on the cooler side where his food and water is at and i only have a two thermometers and one of those things that measure humidity which is at 40.

 

[Turo]

Also he moves every now and then but like after he moves he just seems lifeless.

 

[CooperDragon]

Is your thermometer the stick on dial kind or is it a digital one with probes? The dial style thermometers can be quite inaccurate and the temps may be off which is causing him to act strangely. I would first focus on getting accurate temp readings and see if that helps. You'll want the basking site to be about 100-105 with areas around that in the 90s and the cool side should be about 75-80 or so.

What kind of UVB light are you using? I suggest putting that on the basking side as well so he gets both warm temps and high UVB exposure over the basking area with lower temps and lower UVB exposure (shade) on the cool side so he can move around and get what he needs at any given time.

 

[Turo]

Im using the ReptiSun 5.0 compact fluorescent light and also its the dial type I'm thinking about purchasing one of those guns that measures heat where you point, would that be good?

 

[CooperDragon]

OK. I'll bet heat/lighting is the issue. I'd definitely get an IR temp gun so you have accurate readings. Something like this will do nicely https://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-contact-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00CVHIJDK I'd consider getting the right temperature gradient set urgent. You can raise/lower the basking bulb to do this. Having an adjustable lamp stand helps. Or you can try different wattage bulbs.

For UVB, the 5.0 is way too underpowered for a bearded dragon. What is the size of your tank? For a 20g or small tank I suggest getting a T8 18'' ReptiSun 10.0 bulb and a Zilla Slimline fixture. That can sit right on top and should be about 6'' above the basking area for best results. Don't forget to remove the clear plastic from in front of the bulb as that will intercept all of the UVB.

 

[Turo]

Ok got it thank so much for the advice

 

[CooperDragon]

You're welcome. Let me know how it works out and if you have any further questions.