Baby Bearded Not Moving

[Stephen Gleason]

Hey everyone,

First time on here, so hope you all can help. We got a baby bearded a week ago. It's a little over a month old or so. The first couple of days we had him he ate a normal amount of crickets, about 9 or so a feeding. He would move around the tank and be fine. However the last few days he has stopped eating anything and he hardly moves around his tank. He doesn't even run away from me when I go to pick him up. He won't even eat crickets right in front of him. His basking lamp is at roughly 100-105 and the cool side is about 80-85. When I have him out he will crawl up my arm but I can't tell if he's scared of me and trying to hide under my shirt collar or just curious. Looking for some help everyone. Thank you again.

 

[Stephen Gleason]

Thanks for the reply. Here is a pic of the tank.

 

[Stephen Gleason]

What kind of UVB is in your tank---- brand and bulb? - and from the way it looks there is no reflector to aim down for him to get the rays --- I would either find the reflector or take and move it directly above him so he is under that light--depending on the bulb will determine where it needs to be from him--- here is some info on UVB's Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia).
UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 10-11 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 8-10 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays-- a T 5 bulb takes a flat fixture ---
what are your basking temps in the tank?--- for a baby they should be 105-110--- you are eventually gonna need to upgrade that tank for full potential growth of your dragon --- recommended 75-120 gallon w/ doors that open from the front--- its good your using newspaper or paper towels is good too -- I would invest in a IR heat gun they are cheap and can be bought from Walmart Home Depot or Lowes for around $10-- they are best for getting accurate temps for your basking area-- I would invest in a hide for him/ her -- Petsmart has some really nice decor for tanks --- your little guy /gal should be eating as many bugs as he can in 10-15 minutes --- dusted w/ calcium D3 5 x per week along w/ vitamins 2 x per week -- you need to offer vegies every day he probably wont eat them but still offer as his main diet is bugs for the protein - but you need to get him eating now -- I recommend dubia roaches they are healthier more filling and they are easy to keep -- in a tote or 10 gallon tank and feed them carrots squash apples strawberries - they will eat pretty much what your dragon will eat but not greens for some reason they are not hot on greens I am sending a link to a nutrition website to help you
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
is your tank a 20 gallon? If it is you can take the screen off and use the UVB on top but make sure he can get 8-10 inches from it for a T 8 - the T 5 10-11 inches --- you can use a lamp clamp for the basking bulb--- once you get that lighting fixed you should notice a difference in his behavior-- if you have any more questions please ask
kaylyn

I do have a laser temp reader. Basking spot temp is good and I also have the reptisun 10.0 t8 bulb. I will try to find a pet store with roaches. Hopefully I can find one nearby. Also, I have a hide for him but I took it out because he wasn't ever coming out for light. Should I put it back in or leave it out for that reason?

 

[Stephen Gleason]

You need to get a reflector on that bulb --- it doesnt look like there isnt any and he needs to be able to sit under the bulb - 8-10 inches from it --- I am thinking this is the reason for not eating -- he needs to have those rays to digest his nutrients in his food -- get the UVB situated first - watch his behavior it should change quickly--- the fixture you have is that what came w/ the T 8?
kaylyn

The fixture is a cabinet fixture from home Depot. I picked up the bulb separately

 

[Stephen Gleason]

So I am assuming there is no reflector on the fixture --- please move it directly above him so he can get under it ---- 8-10 inches --- his behavior should change and he should start eating again
kaylyn

Can I put it directly on the metal mesh? I've read you shouldn't do that?

 

[Stephen Gleason]

So it's been a few weeks since I posted here. Thank you for your help Kaylyn. Philip is doing great now. He's been eating a bunch and we have him in a bigger tank now. He is much more active now. I think a majority of the problem was the newness of everything at first. Even transferring to the new tank made him a little skiddish at first but everything is good now. Thank you again for your help.

 

[Stephen Gleason]

Glad to hear-- did you get him a hide? Also you can use newspaper wall paper or wrapping paper to put on the outside of tank to get rid of his reflection-- that too later on down the road will cause stress
Karrie

I did. He doesn't use it often but it is there for him.