New beardie problems-please help

[New beardie owner]

Hello,
I’ve bought my beardie home about week and a half ago. At first he was lovely and didn’t mind me being around him at all. He shed during his first days here (only his back, belly and head). When I thought he’s getting used to me he started to show me otherwise.

Three days ago I couldn’t be at home for nearly a whole day (someone else fed him for me when I wasn’t home) and when I came back he was all black and had stress marks.

the next day I had college until 7pm- I was hoping he’ll get better but it’s now third day and he’s still black. I’m not sure if he’s getting black only when he sees me or people in general but it’s definitely getting worse when I’m/ people are around.

I thought he’s getting better but he wasn’t that black even on the first day I got him. He also didn’t wanna eat anything today.

is there something I can do? Should I leave him alone or be more around him? Should I be concerned?

 

[Sadie]

Hello,
I’ve bought my beardie home about week and a half ago. At first he was lovely and didn’t mind me being around him at all. He shed during his first days here (only his back, belly and head). When I thought he’s getting used to me he started to show me otherwise.

Three days ago I couldn’t be at home for nearly a whole day (someone else fed him for me when I wasn’t home) and when I came back he was all black and had stress marks.

the next day I had college until 7pm- I was hoping he’ll get better but it’s now third day and he’s still black. I’m not sure if he’s getting black only when he sees me or people in general but it’s definitely getting worse when I’m/ people are around.

I thought he’s getting better but he wasn’t that black even on the first day I got him. He also didn’t wanna eat anything today.

is there something I can do? Should I leave him alone or be more around him? Should I be concerned?

No your dragon is either in distress or is cold - is the beard black or is he black all over? Please go over the size of your tank --- basking temps how are you taking them? NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- you need a digital probe thermometer a Zoo Med--- basking temps need to be 105-110 for a baby this is surface temp NOT ambient temp place the probe where he sits for basking wait 10 min then get the temp--- 95-100 for a juvie / adult -- next a UVB NO COILS please --- you need a long tube fixture like a 24" for a 40+ gallon tank one of these Zoo Med or a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb found on this website www.pangeareptiles.com the Zoo Med will come w/a 5.0 bulb you want a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 for a 40 gallon tank or this fixture a Sunblaster Nano Tech found on this website 2ft or 24" fixture comes w/ a bulb https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjA0In0=
Basking bulb needs to be CLEAR bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb NO daytime bulbs NO colored bulbs NO heat mats or rocks NO sand please
if you have questions please ask w/ your dragon black and not eating that is NOT good -- the temps in that tank and the UVB are the MOST important thing please get it fixed ASAP ---- I can help further w/ diet etc but you MUST get the lighting fixed first

 

[New beardie owner]

No your dragon is either in distress or is cold - is the beard black or is he black all over? Please go over the size of your tank --- basking temps how are you taking them? NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- you need a digital probe thermometer a Zoo Med--- basking temps need to be 105-110 for a baby this is surface temp NOT ambient temp place the probe where he sits for basking wait 10 min then get the temp--- 95-100 for a juvie / adult -- next a UVB NO COILS please --- you need a long tube fixture like a 24" for a 40+ gallon tank one of these Zoo Med or a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb found on this website www.pangeareptiles.com the Zoo Med will come w/a 5.0 bulb you want a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 for a 40 gallon tank or this fixture a Sunblaster Nano Tech found on this website 2ft or 24" fixture comes w/ a bulb https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjA0In0=
Basking bulb needs to be CLEAR bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb NO daytime bulbs NO colored bulbs NO heat mats or rocks NO sand please
if you have questions please ask w/ your dragon black and not eating that is NOT good -- the temps in that tank and the UVB are the MOST important thing please get it fixed ASAP ---- I can help further w/ diet etc but you MUST get the lighting fixed first

No your dragon is either in distress or is cold - is the beard black or is he black all over? Please go over the size of your tank --- basking temps how are you taking them? NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- you need a digital probe thermometer a Zoo Med--- basking temps need to be 105-110 for a baby this is surface temp NOT ambient temp place the probe where he sits for basking wait 10 min then get the temp--- 95-100 for a juvie / adult -- next a UVB NO COILS please --- you need a long tube fixture like a 24" for a 40+ gallon tank one of these Zoo Med or a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb found on this website www.pangeareptiles.com the Zoo Med will come w/a 5.0 bulb you want a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 for a 40 gallon tank or this fixture a Sunblaster Nano Tech found on this website 2ft or 24" fixture comes w/ a bulb https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjA0In0=
Basking bulb needs to be CLEAR bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb NO daytime bulbs NO colored bulbs NO heat mats or rocks NO sand please
if you have questions please ask w/ your dragon black and not eating that is NOT good -- the temps in that tank and the UVB are the MOST important thing please get it fixed ASAP ---- I can help further w/ diet etc but you MUST get the lighting fixed first

Thank u for replaying. He’s black all over. I’ve got a 12% 36”UVB for a 4ft long vivarium. The basking temperature is around 102. He was eating just fine yesterday but ate only about three crickets today so far. Could it be just him stressing out about his new environment?

 

[Sadie]

Thank u for replaying. He’s black all over. I’ve got a 12% 36”UVB for a 4ft long vivarium. The basking temperature is around 102. He was eating just fine yesterday but ate only about three crickets today so far. Could it be just him stressing out about his new environment?

Ok make sure your UVB is directly above the basking decor 12-15 inches inside the tank or if you have a wide hole type of screen it needs to be 8-10 directly above the basking decor - can you post a pic of him please --- what is his behavior like --- is he moving around the tank at all exploring? Could be stressing out they will do that but please post a pic of him and his tank

 

[New beardie owner]

Ok make sure your UVB is directly above the basking decor 12-15 inches inside the tank or if you have a wide hole type of screen it needs to be 8-10 directly above the basking decor - can you post a pic of him please --- what is his behavior like --- is he moving around the tank at all exploring? Could be stressing out they will do that but please post a pic of him and his tank

He’s calm, mostly sits at his basking spot but he’s also exploring the whole tank-mostly moving around the water bowl and the log. I’m thinking about buying a multi task heat lamp with UVB, instead of the heat lamp I have right now. Would it help?
The pictures are below

 

[Sadie]

He’s calm, mostly sits at his basking spot but he’s also exploring the whole tank-mostly moving around the water bowl and the log. I’m thinking about buying a multi task heat lamp with UVB, instead of the heat lamp I have right now. Would it help?
The pictures are below

He looks cute but I would get him off the floor --- cold and drafty for one and the other dragons like to see what is going on -- they are a social creature a dresser or aquarium stand would work you can look at your used furniture stores for something --- are you talking about a MVB - those are a all in one I recommend you stay w/ the single basking bulb and single UVB MVB's are hard to get correct w/ temps and you have a solid top I dont recommend it temps might get too hot -- how tall is the tank ? anything less than 18" is hard to get temps correct -- I also recommend getting rid of the loose substrate especially the wood chips --- too much risk for internal injuries -- one sharp chip could kill him -- also bacteria issues --- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner from Walmart or your local home improvement store cut to the size of the tank -- clean w/ vinegar/ water 50/50--