How many Dubias and how often?

zoiberg137

New Member
Messages
3
Location
Cincinnati
Hello all,

I just made the switch from crickets to dubias. I am wondering how many and how often I should be feeding to an adult leo. With crickets, (and I will admit this may not have been the best method, but it is just what we have always done) I would buy 24-36 once every week or so and put them all in at once. He would usually eat roughly 12-20? or so, and then the rest would usually die before he got hungry again. Now that I started reading about dubias, I've heard of some people feeding one or two bugs every couple days...which just seems like I would be starving him. He seems to always be hungry and ready to eat every time I walk over to the tank. I've been giving him 2-3 dubias a day since I got the bugs, but I don't know if I'm over feeding him or under feeding him. The bugs are around 1/2 inch to 3/4. Thoughts? Any harm in just letting them eat as much as they want?
 

JennyBeen

New Member
Messages
87
Location
Denver, CO
I think you mostly just have to keep an eye on their weight. Also, how old is your gecko? That plays a large factor. Younger ones can eat every day, as much as they'll eat. Older ones can eat every other, or every third day. If your gecko could stand to gain weight, let him eat until he slows down. If he's a bit tubby, give him a a few less at each feeding. It also depends on how large the dubias are that you're feeding, but generally I've not heard much harm in letting them eat their fill.
 

zoiberg137

New Member
Messages
3
Location
Cincinnati
He definitely isn't too fat. One of the reasons that I just switched to dubias is that I was recently talking to a breeder who had regular leos like mine that were about 2-3 times the size of mine. When I inquired as to how come his were so much bigger we started talking about their diet and in his experience they never really "bulk" up on crickets alone. Not that I am going for a show quality gecko or anythng, but I do want to be sure he is getting the proper nutrition. Looking at pictures of adult Leos, mine is definitely on the small side. Like I said, he has never shown any lack of apetite when it came to crickets, but I am starting to wonder if crickets are just nutritionally inefficient. I am guessing that as he is going on 5 years of age it is probably too late to observe any difference in overall growth, but a little fat probably wouldn't hurt him either!
 

JennyBeen

New Member
Messages
87
Location
Denver, CO
It depends also on what you're gutloading the insects with; I know of PLENTY of pudgy geckos who eat exclusively crickets! But it's possible your guy might do better on dubias. I'll admit they sound like the perfect feeder, if you can get past the roach thing (I can't personally!).

If you're trying to bulk him up though, you an also give wax or butter worms on occasion...just a few a week will probably make a difference in his weight over time. As long as you are using a quality insect for as a staple, I don't see anything wrong with it.

I will say my juvenile male is growing like a weed, and he eats large mealworms that are well gutloaded, as well as phoenix worms when I can get them.

Also keep in mind, you might just have a naturally smaller gecko, and the person you're comparing with may just have a larger stock. Certainly bulk him up if you think he could gain some weight, but keep an open mind that he may never reach that size perhaps due to a genetic pre-disposition.

Good luck with your dubias! I hope he does well on them :).
 

indyana

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,336
Location
Massachusetts, United States
I agree with watching his weight and cutting back as needed. If it were my gecko, I would probably start with 3-5 every other day (depending how big they are or how hungry he is). Then, adjust the amount based upon how hungry he seems and how much weight he's gained. You don't want him to be a blimp. :)

I was only feeding my adult male 2-3 twice a week because he was starting to put on too much weight, and I've cut him back even further now.
 

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