New Beardie owners - question for experts here re: appetite

[Murray2020]

We brought our first Beardie into the family about 3 weeks ago. My son loves them and “Murray” is his new best friend. We read everything there was to read and I think our starter set up is good for now: 20 gallon glass aquarium with a mesh cover, Reptisun T8 10.0 mounted inside just under the screen (covers 2/3 the length of the tank), Zoo Med Spot Basking Bulb (100 watt, sits on top of the screen, above a driftwood branch for basking), another branch for climbing/hiding on the bottom middle of the enclosure, and a plastic “rock cave” hide on the other far/cool side, underneath a Beardie hammock. We switched the basking bulb to a 100 watt because it was struggling to reach 100 degrees in his basking spot; now it stays 105-110. We do not keep any water in the enclosure to maintain humidity approximately 35%. Murray comes out for a bath every 2-3 days... sometimes he drinks sometimes not. We have small crickets loose in the enclosure but they mostly hide up inside the driftwood branch. We offer him chopped collard greens, squash, carrots, berries, etc. daily. We have gut loading gel in the cricket enclosure and also have small Dubia roaches. We keep 5 or so roaches in a small bowl in the enclosure at all times. We sometimes offer small wax worms in his “salad” and last week bought and prepared the Repashy Beardie Buffet, which we also put small pieces in his salad. We dust his salad with calcium and vitamins several times per week.Our concern is that even though we’ve had him for 3 weeks now, he doesn’t seem to have much appetite or energy. My son handles him every day, we bathe him and have even resorted to placing him in “feeding box” a large shoebox with some Dubia roaches to try and excite him into eating. Mixed results with that - he will eat 3 of the roaches maybe once a day, but today he did not want any. He hasn’t gotten any bigger since we got him (he came from our favorite pet shop; they said he was about 2 1/2 months old. Since they grow so much the first 8 months of life, we are just a little concerned about him. He is too young for brumation from what I’ve read, so is this normal baby Beardie behavior as far as appetite and energy? He spends most of his time either basking near the top of the log/branch or resting closer to the middle of the log or on the floor near the base of the log. The bottom of the enclosure is covered with the brown Beardie reptile “carpet.” He doesn’t eat much, if any salad, and just a few insects per day. We are doing the best we know how to do and want to make sure he is ok... or if the experts here see something wrong with his enclosure, or another problem, we want to know - we want to take the best care of Murray and keep him growing, happy and healthy! Thank you in advance- Kate M. (& Evan... and Murray)

 

[KarrieRee]

Welcome to the forum---- I would start looking for a tank now --- something bigger than a 40 gallon or you will need to upgrade again -- 75-120 w/ front doors --- you can keep Murray in that 20 gallon till he is about maybe 6 months but thats it --- the T 8 is how far from the basking decor and is there a plastic cover over the fixture ? If there is take it off - distance approx 6-8 inches---basking temps are hard to keep in small tanks --- I had a 75 watt on mine and it was plenty --- how are you taking basking temps ? NO stick ons they are inaccurate --- PLEASE get the crickets out of the tank --- they should not be left in the tank over nite they come out at nite and bite ---- they can cause infection --- feed the crickets 1-2 at a time -- that way you know how many are in the tank and I would dust them w/ the calcium D3 not the salad -- he will go for the insects so you know hes getting the calcium and vitamins he needs - insects dusted 5 x per week once per feeding -- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week once per feeding --- how big are the roaches your feeding ? You dont want insects bigger than the space between his eyes length wise -- its possible hes going thru relocation stress still - I would stop the outside handling only in the tank our right outside the tank -- he needs to acclimate to his tank and surroundings -- I would feed wax worms sparingly they are real fatty and too many can lead to liver issues --- you can get some BSFL they are a great staple feeder a good compliment to the dubias -- use them to lure him to the salad bowl use as many as you want -- if you need websites for those and other insects/ worms let me know I will post
Karrie

 

[Murray2020]

Thank you so much for this advice. We are looking at upgrade options for Murray, yes… do you have any recommendations on larger tanks/enclosures that don’t totally break the bank? To answer your questions, the T8 bulb is mounted directly under the rim of the back long side of the tank. It is in one of those cheap under cabinet bulb fixtures - with the plastic cover removed. It is 7 to 7 1/2 inches from the top of his basking area. Thanks to your advice we switched from the stick-on thermometer/humidity gauge to the Zoo Med digital probe. The basking area maxes out at 111 degrees using the probe. This is using the 100 watt bulb above the screen. We have removed the crickets out of the tank. Still not sure how best to feed them however… any suggestions? Murray doesn’t go after them when we put them in and then we have to catch them and remove them… He likes the small dubia roaches best. They are the smallest size (smaller than the space between his eyes) and he catches and eats them. Evan took him out and sat on the floor next to his tank several times yesterday and when he let a roach go and crawl in front of Murray, he did eat the roach – 6 total yesterday, which is the most he’s eaten in one day since we’ve had him. He did seem more interested in exploring the cool side of his tank yesterday. We will go easy on the wax worms, thank you. They do attract him to the salad bowl, although we have yet to see him eat anything besides the dubia roaches and the wax worms. The primary ingredient of the Beardie Buffet is BSFL – I thought for sure he would go for that but not so far… maybe straight larvae would be better. We would appreciate it if you would share the websites for insects, yes – thanks again!

 

[KarrieRee]

So the T 8 is on the back wall or directly above him? Crickets he may not like - stay w/ the dubias and order some BSFL here are some website for those and other worms
www.symtonbsf.com/ do not dust them
www.dubiaroaches.com known as nutri grubs here also see if they have small super worms another attention getter
www.mulberryfarms.com spendy on shipping but they also have butter worms those are a good worm as well
www.aafeeder.com/feeder-worms/superworms/ they have a bundle package check that out
www.coastalsilkworms.com two places east coast and west coast - small silk worms are a good staple feeder
You will need a glass or ceramic bowl like this so they cant get out of https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Reptile-Ceramic-Leopard-Bearded/dp/B084VJJWTV?pf_rd_r=R0HNPKXJ2ZARWAT5MPAH&pf_rd_p=c5b6893a-24f2-4a59-9d4b-aff5065c90ec&pd_rd_r=0173f98f-f39b-4d44-9f76-6ae4d88c419b&pd_rd_w=AuGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
Karrie

 

[Murray2020]

Thank you Karrie. The T8 is mounted with 3M tape on the back wall. Should I try and stick it up underneath the mesh cover? In the center of the tank? Do you think this is primarily interfering with Murray’s appetite? He only ate one Dubia roach yesterday. That is it. Offered additional Dubais and crickets but no interest. No interest in the salad or the Beardie Buffet. I will order BSFL and small super worms from the first site you shared - thank you - and also a bowl. I am just very concerned about Murray’s lack of appetite. I was at our pet store yesterday buying birdseed and they have a new beardie... despite being new, this one was active and ate 3 crickets just while I was watching. And the enclosure set ups there are far from ideal. We just want Murray to feel good and be happy... he hasn’t really grown since we’ve had him (will be 4 weeks on Saturday). He was finishing a shed when we got him. I’m worried for when he loses his appetite for his next shed (although if he’s not growing will he not shed on schedule?). We just don’t seem to be doing a good enough job. Thanks again for all of your feedback!

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes get it off the back wall and put it directly above the basking decor approx 6-8 inches from that piece inside the tank -- also NO clear plastic cover over that bulb take it off - is the bulb a Zilla bulb or a Reptisun bulb --- the Reptisun is a way better bulb - it will fit the Zilla fixture if that is what your using -- he is probably going thru relocation stress as well which will effect his appetite but he should be eating a little more than that --- get your UVB situated and watch his behavior --- you can hang the fixture w/ these 3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire –long plastic zip ties-- potted plant wire hangers --- Tak-ty hook and loop cable ties -- try and see if you can find at Walmart --
they dont have a particular shedding schedule but they do shed a lot when young --
Have you started looking for a new tank ?
Karrie

 

[Murray2020]

Ok I will move the T8 when I get home. It is a Reptisun 10 - no plastic cover on it. Right now the basking light shines directly over the basking log - I would need to mount the T8 on either side of where that light shines in, wouldn’t I? What do you suggest?

I ordered BSFL and additional Dubias from Sympton site. Hopefully he (if he is a he!) will feel more like eating once they get here. Thanks Karrie!

 

[KarrieRee]

The UVB should be directly over him approx 6-8 inches-- get that situated and watch his behavior
Karrie