Help with new beardie

[drummerdude135]

Hello!

I believe im having some feeding issues with my beardie. We just got him about a week and a half ago from petco. He is measuring to be right around a month and a half old. Probably 6.5 inches long.

Our issue is he really doesnt like to eat. He will not eat any greens or fruits. Weve tried collard greens, romaine, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes. Ive also tried dragon gel. He doesnt like any of it. I just tried the bee pollen sprinkled on collard greens and he just walked away. Doesnt matter if its in his tank or hand fed. Also doesnt care for wax worms.

He has eaten some crickets. Maybe 2 or 3 a day. Yesterday he ate 5 total. I am worried he will not come round with eating and have issues down the road. Especially not caring for greens as he gets older. I hate to say it but i am in the return period if he has to go back. Which id rather not do.

The tank is on the smaller side but will be changed soon. His basking area is right around the 105 temp range. He is also bathed almost daily. Thanks for your help!

 

[Skybug]

Can u go over ur lighting, im guessing you have bad uvb, and that will affect the dragon’s health, these two are recommended among us…

 

[Skybug]

Please get rid of any “coil”/compact uvb you have , they offer either too much uvb in a concentrated stream or little to none at all.

 

[drummerdude135]

Can u go over ur lighting, im guessing you have bad uvb, and that will affect the dragon’s health, these two are recommended among us…

I have the dual dome for the uvb/basking. That was recommended to me by petco and a local petstore. It is running a coil uvb and a 75 watt basking bulb. All the local petstores uvbs are all coils and thats what the owners use at home as well. No issues with their beardies since babies.

Mine is only in a 10 gallon for now as I am building a bigger home for him. Hes still small so I have some time. I realize in the bigger tank I will have to move to the ho one above. Im just surprised how the 20 or so at the pet store eat everything from greens to bugs with no issue, in almost exact same set ups with no issue.

 

[Julee1971]

Hello!

I believe im having some feeding issues with my beardie. We just got him about a week and a half ago from petco. He is measuring to be right around a month and a half old. Probably 6.5 inches long.

Our issue is he really doesnt like to eat. He will not eat any greens or fruits. Weve tried collard greens, romaine, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes. Ive also tried dragon gel. He doesnt like any of it. I just tried the bee pollen sprinkled on collard greens and he just walked away. Doesnt matter if its in his tank or hand fed. Also doesnt care for wax worms.

He has eaten some crickets. Maybe 2 or 3 a day. Yesterday he ate 5 total. I am worried he will not come round with eating and have issues down the road. Especially not caring for greens as he gets older. I hate to say it but i am in the return period if he has to go back. Which id rather not do.

The tank is on the smaller side but will be changed soon. His basking area is right around the 105 temp range. He is also bathed almost daily. Thanks for your help!

Hi; we rescue & rehome. A beardie will have zero to no energy to eat if the heat is off & if u don’t have the correct UVB. Never use colored or coiled bulbs ever. At his age he should be eating Proteins (crickets) 4-5 times a day sprinkled with calcium powder once per day day 4times per week. Under 7mnths they need lots of proteins alongside the veggie/green plate to munch on all day & switch it out when it gets wilted. Do u have a clear heat bulb? Never used colored or coiled bulbs. The zoomed clear basking is the best for Heat & he needs the long light for UVB; it’s the Reptisun 10.0 T5 for UVB; the length u order should cover 70 percnt of the tank & he needs a hideaway. Replace the UVb every 6Mnths religiously. Also get a digital thermometer not a dial one the dial ones are not accurate. U also need a digital hygrometer for humidity which should be between 30-40. Also if u have sand remove it they ingest it and it’s horrible for them. Never feed paste or bottled food or meal worms. Crickets & Dubias for proteins are the Best; sprinkled with calcium powder once per day 4times per week & herptivite once week/day on a non calcium day. For the veggies; the best everyday ones are: mustard greens, yellow squash is a must it has lots of calcium and try butternut squash, collard greens, snap peas and green beans cut them up teeny to his size till he gets older then it can be bigger. Mix of 2-4 daily & place on the cold side everyday. U can hand feed him too. Limit the fruits too much sugar is bad for them. 2-3 times per week u can do blueberries, mangoes, papayas, banana and apples as treats. When he gets over a year old u can introduce some superworms for him as treats. Also when he turns 8mnths old lower the temp to 95-98 only. The tak should be 20 gallons then get a 40 gallon when he’s 3-4 months. U can rerun your tank when done they will give u store credit. Also, Baths only twice per week for 15min minimum in lukewarm dechlorinated water add Reptisafe if u don’t have a filter system in your home. More baths when shedding. Remove all food/water at bedtime from the tank and keep it very very clean. Use paper towels or white terry cloth towels as a substrate never use sand. Hope this helps here are some pics of my tank & the setup. Also pics of the calcium powder & vitamin powder. Get the proper heat light & UVb and u will see a major change.

 

[drummerdude135]

Hi; we rescue & rehome. A beardie will have zero to no energy to eat if the heat is off & if u don’t have the correct UVB. Never use colored or coiled bulbs ever. At his age he should be eating Proteins (crickets) 4-5 times a day sprinkled with calcium powder once per day day 4times per week. Under 7mnths they need lots of proteins alongside the veggie/green plate to munch on all day & switch it out when it gets wilted. Do u have a clear heat bulb? Never used colored or coiled bulbs. The zoomed clear basking is the best for Heat & he needs the long light for UVB; it’s the Reptisun 10.0 T5 for UVB; the length u order should cover 70 percnt of the tank & he needs a hideaway. Replace the UVb every 6Mnths religiously. Also get a digital thermometer not a dial one the dial ones are not accurate. U also need a digital hygrometer for humidity which should be between 30-40. Also if u have sand remove it they ingest it and it’s horrible for them. Never feed paste or bottled food or meal worms. Crickets & Dubias for proteins are the Best; sprinkled with calcium powder once per day 4times per week & herptivite once week/day on a non calcium day. For the veggies; the best everyday ones are: mustard greens, yellow squash is a must it has lots of calcium and try butternut squash, collard greens, snap peas and green beans cut them up teeny to his size till he gets older then it can be bigger. Mix of 2-4 daily & place on the cold side everyday. U can hand feed him too. Limit the fruits too much sugar is bad for them. 2-3 times per week u can do blueberries, mangoes, papayas, banana and apples as treats. When he gets over a year old u can introduce some superworms for him as treats. Also when he turns 8mnths old lower the temp to 95-98 only. The tak should be 20 gallons then get a 40 gallon when he’s 3-4 months. U can rerun your tank when done they will give u store credit. Also, Baths only twice per week for 15min minimum in lukewarm dechlorinated water add Reptisafe if u don’t have a filter system in your home. More baths when shedding. Remove all food/water at bedtime from the tank and keep it very very clean. Use paper towels or white terry cloth towels as a substrate never use sand. Hope this helps here are some pics of my tank & the setup. Also pics of the calcium powder & vitamin powder. Get the proper heat light & UVb and u will see a major change.

Thank you for the reply! I have most of those checked off. Its unusual because my cousins have beardies at around the same age with the same exact set up with no issues. Their beardies eat everything and have no problems. They got theirs from a breeder though. Im just worried ill go over the 1 month courtesy period and I wont get any help from petco...

I do have a white 75 watt basking bulb and a coil uvb. Which is what everyone I know is using with no issue.

 

[Skybug]

I have the dual dome for the uvb/basking. That was recommended to me by petco and a local petstore. It is running a coil uvb and a 75 watt basking bulb. All the local petstores uvbs are all coils and thats what the owners use at home as well. No issues with their beardies since babies.

Mine is only in a 10 gallon for now as I am building a bigger home for him. Hes still small so I have some time. I realize in the bigger tank I will have to move to the ho one above. Im just surprised how the 20 or so at the pet store eat everything from greens to bugs with no issue, in almost exact same set ups with no issue.

Coil bulbs are bad for the reason ive stated above, i have personal experience with them being bad, my beardy started closing one eye and when i took her out she’d still be doing it, i updated her lighting and it was the problem.
petco isnt to be trusted, they want to sell you stuff and dont know anything about proper uvb lighting, that dragon is already to big for that enclosure, when is the new one arriveing?

 

[Julee1971]

Thank you for the reply! I have most of those checked off. Its unusual because my cousins have beardies at around the same age with the same exact set up with no issues. Their beardies eat everything and have no problems. They got theirs from a breeder though. Im just worried ill go over the 1 month courtesy period and I wont get any help from petco...

I do have a white 75 watt basking bulb and a coil uvb. Which is what everyone I know is using with no issue.

Use e zoomed not the EXXo Terra for heat and please switch to the Reptisun 10.0 T5 for UVB. Please the coiled are horrible horrible horrible. I cannot stress this Enuff & all UVB’s need replacing every 6Mnths. Petco give incorrect info so please ask breeders or vets but I gave u the most Impt info of all. As of now the only other issue I can think of is he has a parasite. U can do a stool sample at a good reptile vet for $50. Is his poop white for the urine and dark/firm oval on shape? Or diahreah or runny? If watery or runny he has a parasite and needs a vet asap. The worst and most common is Coccidia. Google it & look at the photos to rule that out. Other than that the temp mite bot be accurate pleaee go get an infrared fin from Home Depot amd u shine it and inch away from the basking spot areas and that will give u the exact temp. It’s nice to have so go pick one up. Also, he could be shedding; does it look like it? Or an URInfection; u can’t give baths everyday and u cannot get water in his ears or fill up the water level in the tub or sink too high has to be below his neck. So he doesn’t aspisrate or Inhale water. Let me know

 

[Sadie]

Hello!

I believe im having some feeding issues with my beardie. We just got him about a week and a half ago from petco. He is measuring to be right around a month and a half old. Probably 6.5 inches long.

Our issue is he really doesnt like to eat. He will not eat any greens or fruits. Weve tried collard greens, romaine, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes. Ive also tried dragon gel. He doesnt like any of it. I just tried the bee pollen sprinkled on collard greens and he just walked away. Doesnt matter if its in his tank or hand fed. Also doesnt care for wax worms.

He has eaten some crickets. Maybe 2 or 3 a day. Yesterday he ate 5 total. I am worried he will not come round with eating and have issues down the road. Especially not caring for greens as he gets older. I hate to say it but i am in the return period if he has to go back. Which id rather not do.

The tank is on the smaller side but will be changed soon. His basking area is right around the 105 temp range. He is also bathed almost daily. Thanks for your help!

Basking temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer ---- no stick ons temps should be 105-110 ---- the basking temps and the UVB are the two MOST IMPORTANT thing in the tank --- he is going thru relocation stress - thats going to effect the appetite --- as long as he is eating some he will be ok but you must have the correct lighting -- what size tank is he in ? looks like a 20 gallon--- just read the post please get him into something bigger than the 10 gallon even a 20 gallon tote is going to be better for getting correct basking temps - if so if you get the 24" Reptisun Zoo Med fixture use the 5.0 bulb that comes w it for now - it needs to unobstructed w/ no screen and will be good for a 20 gallon the 10.0 bulb will be too strong for a tank that small - and the distance should be 6-8 inches directly over the basking decor piece --- getting your basking temps and UVB is crucial for your dragons health cant stress that enough---- order him some BSFL he should be able to eat large DO NOT dust them - www.symtonbsf.com feed as many as you want on the top of his salads -- they are a great staple feeder -- they will lure him to the bowl add them in front of him you will need a bowl like this for keeping them in there https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
If you have something similar thats good - if you need anymore help please ask ---

 

[Julee1971]

Basking temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer ---- no stick ons temps should be 105-110 ---- the basking temps and the UVB are the two MOST IMPORTANT thing in the tank --- he is going thru relocation stress - thats going to effect the appetite --- as long as he is eating some he will be ok but you must have the correct lighting -- what size tank is he in ? looks like a 20 gallon--- just read the post please get him into something bigger than the 10 gallon even a 20 gallon tote is going to be better for getting correct basking temps - if so if you get the 24" Reptisun Zoo Med fixture use the 5.0 bulb that comes w it for now - it needs to unobstructed w/ no screen and will be good for a 20 gallon the 10.0 bulb will be too strong for a tank that small - and the distance should be 6-8 inches directly over the basking decor piece --- getting your basking temps and UVB is crucial for your dragons health cant stress that enough---- order him some BSFL he should be able to eat large DO NOT dust them - www.symtonbsf.com feed as many as you want on the top of his salads -- they are a great staple feeder -- they will lure him to the bowl add them in front of him you will need a bowl like this for keeping them in there https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
If you have something similar thats good - if you need anymore help please ask ---

Sadie the temp should be 100-105 NOT 110 that’s deadly we reacue and rehome please be careful what u post for the Beardies sake. Also crickets and Dubia roaches are great proteins!!