New bearded dragon stressed and not eating

[comrade giggles]

Hello all,

So I am a newbie bearded dragon owner. I picked up my baby boy 4 days ago, he is about 4-5 months old. On the first 2 days, he was curious, friendly and full of beans, happy to be handled and eating normally. However, over the weekend he has become skittish and lethargic, and refuses to eat his food :/ he has no interest in it. He hasn't eaten for 2 days now, which worries me. He's also developed stress marks on his belly.

The setup seems ok, the temperature under the basking spot is 35 degrees C. I have however been adding bits to his tank over the last few days, since they've been arriving late in the post, which could have stressed him out.

Is he just stressed and adjusting to his new home? Will his appetite resume if I leave him be and don't handle him for a week or so?

The other thing that worries me is that the basking bulb I was sold at the shop is infrared so I worry that the redness annoys him.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sadie]

Hello all,

So I am a newbie bearded dragon owner. I picked up my baby boy 4 days ago, he is about 4-5 months old. On the first 2 days, he was curious, friendly and full of beans, happy to be handled and eating normally. However, over the weekend he has become skittish and lethargic, and refuses to eat his food :/ he has no interest in it. He hasn't eaten for 2 days now, which worries me. He's also developed stress marks on his belly.

The setup seems ok, the temperature under the basking spot is 35 degrees C. I have however been adding bits to his tank over the last few days, since they've been arriving late in the post, which could have stressed him out.

Is he just stressed and adjusting to his new home? Will his appetite resume if I leave him be and don't handle him for a week or so?

The other thing that worries me is that the basking bulb I was sold at the shop is infrared so I worry that the redness annoys him.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum --- so for the stress marks that is a normal thing till he adjust to his tank but you must have the correct basking temps and it MUST be a bright white basking bulb please --- NO colored bulbs so the infrared bulb you have get rid of it ASAP- replace w/ a bright white basking bulb that keeps temps 40 C to 43 C--- taken w / a digital probe thermometer NO stickons please they are inaccurate --- place probe where he sits for basking for 10 min or so get the temp --- UVB needs to be a long tube fixture 24" for a 40 + gallon tank --- examples are Zoo Med Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb or a Sunblaster Nano w/ a T 5 bulb Arcadia and Reptisun are good bulbs --- they should be inside the tank for a screen mesh top -- if its a solid wood top it should be atleast 18" high --- distance for a T5 bulb is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor --- your dragon will not eat till all this is correct ----please let me know what your using and we can go from there

 

[comrade giggles]

Welcome to the forum --- so for the stress marks that is a normal thing till he adjust to his tank but you must have the correct basking temps and it MUST be a bright white basking bulb please --- NO colored bulbs so the infrared bulb you have get rid of it ASAP- replace w/ a bright white basking bulb that keeps temps 40 C to 43 C--- taken w / a digital probe thermometer NO stickons please they are inaccurate --- place probe where he sits for basking for 10 min or so get the temp --- UVB needs to be a long tube fixture 24" for a 40 + gallon tank --- examples are Zoo Med Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb or a Sunblaster Nano w/ a T 5 bulb Arcadia and Reptisun are good bulbs --- they should be inside the tank for a screen mesh top -- if its a solid wood top it should be atleast 18" high --- distance for a T5 bulb is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor --- your dragon will not eat till all this is correct ----please let me know what your using and we can go from there

I ordered a digital thermometer from eBay, it hasn't arrived yet.

This is the UBV lamp I have (D3 Specialist T8 Zone 3 38w 1050mm):

Reptile Systems D3+ Specialist T8 Zone 3 UVB

T8 UVB lamp tube lights for 4ft enclosures 3.6 UVI for the synthesis of Vitamin D3 Perfect for basking species

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

And I have the exoterra 150W lamp. I am undecided whether I should just get a normal clear bulb, or one of these?

Exo Terra Heat Wave Lamp

Ceramic heat emitter Emits a natural sun-like infrared heat Solid ceramic element, suitable for humid environments

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Also my viv has a big hole with a mesh frame, with the lamp on the outside. I bought all of this (and my dragon) from a reptile shop, not a regular pet shop, and the staff claim to be experts on reptile husbandry and have reptile pets themselves... is this inadequate? I can't afford a new viv at the moment :/

Do you think he would benefit from a heat mat as well?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sadie]

I ordered a digital thermometer from eBay, it hasn't arrived yet.

This is the UBV lamp I have (D3 Specialist T8 Zone 3 38w 1050mm):

Reptile Systems D3+ Specialist T8 Zone 3 UVB

T8 UVB lamp tube lights for 4ft enclosures 3.6 UVI for the synthesis of Vitamin D3 Perfect for basking species

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

And I have the exoterra 150W lamp. I am undecided whether I should just get a normal clear bulb, or one of these?

Exo Terra Heat Wave Lamp

Ceramic heat emitter Emits a natural sun-like infrared heat Solid ceramic element, suitable for humid environments

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Also my viv has a big hole with a mesh frame, with the lamp on the outside. I bought all of this (and my dragon) from a reptile shop, not a regular pet shop, and the staff claim to be experts on reptile husbandry and have reptile pets themselves... is this inadequate? I can't afford a new viv at the moment :/

Do you think he would benefit from a heat mat as well?

Thanks in advance

Please NO heat mat --- you need to get a bright white basking bulb -- the CHE is good for heat only --- your dragon needs a bright white for UVA -- he is getting no UVA and that along w/ the bright white starts digestion --- please get one ASAP---------------- please get the Exo Terra basking bulb --- make sure you have a digital probe thermometer tho you do not want to burn him up ---- your T 8 is how old? Where in the tank is it ? NO cover over that bulb it needs to be exposed --- how tall is the tank? if its 16" a T 8 is fine if its over I would recommend upgrading to a T 5 but your going to need a different fixture--------- speaking of does you UVB have a reflector on it? -------------All these things I am asking about and recommending are crucial to the dragons health --- once these things are fixed your dragon will start behaving differently -- at this point he is not in good health w/ the weight loss and the not having a the correct basking bulb -- CHE' are good for temps in the winter but not for basking -- the big hole w/ the mesh frame is the T 8 sitting there ? As long as the T 8 is not obstructed and sitting over the basking decor 6-8 inches its good --- I also I recommend getting Arcadia 12% bulb desert or euro bulb they are one of the best on the market

 

[comrade giggles]

Please NO heat mat --- you need to get a bright white basking bulb -- the CHE is good for heat only --- your dragon needs a bright white for UVA -- he is getting no UVA and that along w/ the bright white starts digestion --- please get one ASAP---------------- please get the Exo Terra basking bulb --- make sure you have a digital probe thermometer tho you do not want to burn him up ---- your T 8 is how old? Where in the tank is it ? NO cover over that bulb it needs to be exposed --- how tall is the tank? if its 16" a T 8 is fine if its over I would recommend upgrading to a T 5 but your going to need a different fixture--------- speaking of does you UVB have a reflector on it? -------------All these things I am asking about and recommending are crucial to the dragons health --- once these things are fixed your dragon will start behaving differently -- at this point he is not in good health w/ the weight loss and the not having a the correct basking bulb -- CHE' are good for temps in the winter but not for basking -- the big hole w/ the mesh frame is the T 8 sitting there ? As long as the T 8 is not obstructed and sitting over the basking decor 6-8 inches its good --- I also I recommend getting Arcadia 12% bulb desert or euro bulb they are one of the best on the market

My T8 is only a week old, I bought it new. My tank is 22" tall... and it is exposed, not covered... it sits on the front of the tank, near the glass. Is this wrong? I did some googling and it seems that T5s do not come in 1050mm tubes, argh >___< would the T8 be ok for him?

Also, would this basking bulb be ok?

Exo Terra Sun Glo Daylight Basking Light

Broad-spectrum daylight spot lamp for terrariums with a neodymium sleeve Creates a basking area for thermo-regulation Increases ambient air temperature

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Sorry for all the stupid questions and thanks so much for your advice I did my research before getting him and asked some friends who used to own reptiles but everyone seems to have a different opinion :/

 

[Sadie]

My T8 is only a week old, I bought it new. My tank is 22" tall... and it is exposed, not covered... it sits on the front of the tank, near the glass. Is this wrong? I did some googling and it seems that T5s do not come in 1050mm tubes, argh >___< would the T8 be ok for him?

Also, would this basking bulb be ok?

Exo Terra Sun Glo Daylight Basking Light

Broad-spectrum daylight spot lamp for terrariums with a neodymium sleeve Creates a basking area for thermo-regulation Increases ambient air temperature

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Sorry for all the stupid questions and thanks so much for your advice I did my research before getting him and asked some friends who used to own reptiles but everyone seems to have a different opinion :/

You don't want that daylight bulb it has that coating neodymium on it- the T 8 is fine but it is too high for the uvb rays - T 8's need to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor and it needs to be or have a reflector behind it to direct the rays downward to him- get the exo Terra intense basking bulb-- start w/ a 100 watt go from there- I would invest in a 24" fixture w/ a T 5 bulb here in the next 6 months- the T 8 will need to be replaced

 

[comrade giggles]

You don't want that daylight bulb it has that coating neodymium on it- the T 8 is fine but it is too high for the uvb rays - T 8's need to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor and it needs to be or have a reflector behind it to direct the rays downward to him- get the exo Terra intense basking bulb-- start w/ a 100 watt go from there- I would invest in a 24" fixture w/ a T 5 bulb here in the next 6 months- the T 8 will need to be replaced

Ok, thank you!

Do you think he will start eating once I get the new basking bulb? I shall order it today.

 

[Sadie]

Ok, thank you!

Do you think he will start eating once I get the new basking bulb? I shall order it today.

As long as his basking temps and uvb are correct he should- please get something in him - I would feed very small amounts of salad turnip greens mustard collard or kale w/ some squash and some insects crickets dubia roaches like around 2 mls made into a slurry w/ water for hydration and a pinch of calcium d 3- do this a couple times a day- your dragon is very weak from not eating you don't want to overwhelm him w/ food - get your basking temps and the uvb corrected please--

 

[comrade giggles]

As long as his basking temps and uvb are correct he should- please get something in him - I would feed very small amounts of salad turnip greens mustard collard or kale w/ some squash and some insects crickets dubia roaches like around 2 mls made into a slurry w/ water for hydration and a pinch of calcium d 3- do this a couple times a day- your dragon is very weak from not eating you don't want to overwhelm him w/ food - get your basking temps and the uvb corrected please--

Thank you again! I've ordered that basking bulb - got it from Amazon so it should arrive quickly. I'm pretty sure that the stupid red light is annoying him. Also do infrared bulbs even produce any UVA?

He's refusing to eat his locusts and worms I managed to feed him some spring greens yesterday, but today he is being grumpy so I've left him be. And what do you mean by a slurry - do you mean mash everything up in a blender? Also do you think he would benefit from a bath for hydration? I'm hesitant to get him out today. And I feel so bad because of getting the stupid red light my reptile-owning friends said it was fine though, as did the "experts" in the shop... really annoyed at myself

 

[Sadie]

Thank you again! I've ordered that basking bulb - got it from Amazon so it should arrive quickly. I'm pretty sure that the stupid red light is annoying him. Also do infrared bulbs even produce any UVA?

He's refusing to eat his locusts and worms I managed to feed him some spring greens yesterday, but today he is being grumpy so I've left him be. And what do you mean by a slurry - do you mean mash everything up in a blender? Also do you think he would benefit from a bath for hydration? I'm hesitant to get him out today. And I feel so bad because of getting the stupid red light my reptile-owning friends said it was fine though, as did the "experts" in the shop... really annoyed at myself

Infrared bulbs do not produce any UVA that I am aware of they should be avoided as dragons have a 3rd eye on top of their heads for predators - that red light / or any colored distorts their vision as they have better eye sight than you and I -- long term use can/ or will cause eye issues and / or blindness -- it disrupts the sleep -- dragons need cool and dark for sleeping nothing below 18 C - 23 C -- a stick on thermometer is fine for that--- please make sure you have a hygrometer in the tank --- a digital one w/ probe like a Exo Terra are pretty good - take and place the probe on the back center wall of the tank it will read the whole tank -- nothing under 20% and nothing over 70% -- 30-50 is optimal
Yes a slurry blended in a blender fed by syringe but if he is eating something then hold off on that --- a bath might be helpful but make sure he does not gulp the water as he will aspirate -- please do not listen to the reptile people at the shop --- how are your friends dragons doing w/ the colored bulbs have you seen them?

 

[comrade giggles]

Infrared bulbs do not produce any UVA that I am aware of they should be avoided as dragons have a 3rd eye on top of their heads for predators - that red light / or any colored distorts their vision as they have better eye sight than you and I -- long term use can/ or will cause eye issues and / or blindness -- it disrupts the sleep -- dragons need cool and dark for sleeping nothing below 18 C - 23 C -- a stick on thermometer is fine for that--- please make sure you have a hygrometer in the tank --- a digital one w/ probe like a Exo Terra are pretty good - take and place the probe on the back center wall of the tank it will read the whole tank -- nothing under 20% and nothing over 70% -- 30-50 is optimal

Thanks again!
Also what did you mean by slurry - do you mean mash everything up in a blender? I do want him to eat something...

 

[Sadie]

Thanks again!
Also what did you mean by slurry - do you mean mash everything up in a blender? I do want him to eat something...

Thanks again!
Also what did you mean by slurry - do you mean mash everything up in a blender? I do want him to eat something...

Yes and see if he will lick it off a spoon before syringe feeding ---- what is the weather like where you are ? Summer or winter ?

 

[comrade giggles]

Yes and see if he will lick it off a spoon before syringe feeding ---- what is the weather like where you are ? Summer or winter ?

It's autumn here, not too hot, not too cold. My room is about 20 degrees during the day, and 15 degrees at night.

Also thank you so much for your tip re: the slurry! I just fed it to him and he seems happier and perkier - I am so relieved

I think the cursed red light is definitely the culprit - he perked up when he was out of his viv and his colour lightened, and he didn't want to go back in. I feel so awful for him but he only has to tolerate it for 2 more days, as his new basking bulb should arrive on Tuesday

 

[Sadie]

It's autumn here, not too hot, not too cold. My room is about 20 degrees during the day, and 15 degrees at night.

Also thank you so much for your tip re: the slurry! I just fed it to him and he seems happier and perkier - I am so relieved

I think the cursed red light is definitely the culprit - he perked up when he was out of his viv and his colour lightened, and he didn't want to go back in. I feel so awful for him but he only has to tolerate it for 2 more days, as his new basking bulb should arrive on Tuesday

What about the UVB are you having to do anything w/ that since I posted info?

 

[comrade giggles]

What about the UVB are you having to do anything w/ that since I posted info?

Yes of course - though the UVB will have to wait until next month cause of money. Thanks again, you're a star!

 

[Sadie]

Yes of course - though the UVB will have to wait until next month cause of money. Thanks again, you're a star!

Ok so your uvb your switching bulbs or getting a new fixture or what?

 

[comrade giggles]

Ok so your uvb your switching bulbs or getting a new fixture or what?

I think I may have to get a new fixture - I've been searching the Internet for a 1050mm T5 tube, but they don't seem to exist my tube is held by these two hooks fixed to the ceiling of the viv. I'll measure them soon to see if I could possibly fit a shorter tube - don't want to bother him tonight anymore after his smoothie feeding. Although he seemed to like the smoothie

 

[Sadie]

I think I may have to get a new fixture - I've been searching the Internet for a 1050mm T5 tube, but they don't seem to exist my tube is held by these two hooks fixed to the ceiling of the viv. I'll measure them soon to see if I could possibly fit a shorter tube - don't want to bother him tonight anymore after his smoothie feeding. Although he seemed to like the smoothie

You must have a reflector or a fixture w / a reflector he wont eat w/ out proper UVB --
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/arcadia-prot5-kit-desert-12/ you want the 12% bulb -- letme know if you get this please

 

[Sadie]

My T8 is only a week old, I bought it new. My tank is 22" tall... and it is exposed, not covered... it sits on the front of the tank, near the glass. Is this wrong? I did some googling and it seems that T5s do not come in 1050mm tubes, argh >___< would the T8 be ok for him?

Also, would this basking bulb be ok?

Exo Terra Sun Glo Daylight Basking Light

Broad-spectrum daylight spot lamp for terrariums with a neodymium sleeve Creates a basking area for thermo-regulation Increases ambient air temperature

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Sorry for all the stupid questions and thanks so much for your advice I did my research before getting him and asked some friends who used to own reptiles but everyone seems to have a different opinion :/

Here is some info on the neodymium bulbs --
the neodymium coating which is a rare earth mineral, decreases the CRI or Color Rendering Index which affects the overall brightness. It does this by
cutting the yellow color range out to make it appear brighter but since reptiles are very sensitive to
light & can see more of the spectrum than we can it is best to use a bright white light for basking
instead. Unless someone uses it in combination with another bright light, that would be ok.
It just seems to be a bit hard on their eyes.

 

[comrade giggles]

Here is some info on the neodymium bulbs --
the neodymium coating which is a rare earth mineral, decreases the CRI or Color Rendering Index which affects the overall brightness. It does this by
cutting the yellow color range out to make it appear brighter but since reptiles are very sensitive to
light & can see more of the spectrum than we can it is best to use a bright white light for basking
instead. Unless someone uses it in combination with another bright light, that would be ok.
It just seems to be a bit hard on their eyes.

Thanks! But the intense basking bulb should be ok, right?

I'm waiting for Amazon to deliver it today. He is much happier and perkier since I've been feeding him the smoothies so thanks for the tip! Also his stress marks have faded. But he still refuses to eat his insects hopefully that will change once the new bulb arrives.