She won't eat..... Please help!?

[Silentstealthe]

First off I will list the specs of my tank.

20 Gallon long

3 hides, 1 hot, 1 moist, 1 cool

Repti Carpet Green

Calcium dish, Water Dish

Temps: Issue read below

So, I have two leopard geckos in my 20 long tank. One is a regular spot/stripped yellow/brown, and the other one is white with barley visible yellow spots. One is named Spot, and the other bumble. About a week or so ago I have been having issues with bumble. She is not eating and is staying on the cool side of the tank more than the hot side, and is not as active as usual.Bumble has not eaten in almost a week and it is starting to worry me. Spot eats like crazy and is active. They are about 3 months old I have had them since 4 weeks old. Bumble isn't lethargic as she does move around and doesn't look sickly. They are both passing stool but I am not sure how bumble is if shes not eating. I have tried switching between crickets and meal worms but bumble shows little interest in either. My only guess is a bullying issue or a change of environment issue because I just changed up from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon long. But I don't think thats the issue to much because she stopped eating as much before than. Spot seems to be the dominate one and is getting bigger and bigger. Bumble used to be bigger than her, until this issue arose.

Do you guys think this is a bullying problem? What are the signs besides not eating?

*Temp Issue* The issue I have been having with temperature is the heat pad is making the temp under the heat hide 100-108!!!!!! I know that is way to hot, can I just take off the heat pad and leave the red light over the hide?(Will it be hot enough for them) I am measuring with a probe thermometer.

 

[packs_fan]

I think the heat of the uth may be the issue as you said that is way too hot. You need to either get a dimmer which is ok or an Thermostat which I would recommend. A week isn't horribly long for a gecko to not eat. It is also possible that she is getting bullied as well although only real way to tell is to actually witness it. You could always separate the two and leave them as that and see if that fixes the issue. Although with you mentioning shes been on the cool side a lot I would say shes bothered by the heat of the uth.

 

[packs_fan]

I just noticed you posted this in another area and you are still having the same issues. They need to be kept separate like they suggested in the other thread.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

If you have a heat lamp and an UTH on shutting one off would probably be a good first step. Try shutting the lamp off and check the temp - if its still too hot then try shutting off the UTH. Most things I've read say UTH is better than lamps so I'd try to go that route. You might want to invest in an Infrared temp gun - you can get a cheap one off ebay or amazon for about $20.

Geckos are hardy little things and unless it gets super cold in their tank (i.e. under 65 degrees) they can survive a couple days of temperature tweaking.

Also as packs_fan said a week isn't too long for a gecko to go without eating but if you even suspect there could be dominance issues or something worse going on separating them would be a good idea.

 

[Silentstealthe]

Well, I fixed the temps a little bit they are now at 97 Hot, 88 middle, 78 cool. Bumble is moving around right now shes just not eating. Separation might have to happen, but as of lately I haven't been noticing any dominance issues. I am just trying to avoid having to shell out more money on a UTH and a tank cause I am in job transition lol. But I do understand it is for the sake of the geckos. Do they go through relocation, and new item stress like bearded dragons do?

 

[packs_fan]

From what I have seen yes they can but i does really depend on the gecko some are ok and are ready to eat. Others like to take their time. As for temps that's still a little too high but much better at least. Since your in a job transition fix the heat problem for good and if shes still not eating when you have the money then it's time for her to move.

 

[Ozy]

Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and get a Lutron Lamp Dimmer. The kind that you can just plug into your power strip/wall and then plug the UTH into the back of the plug. This is what I use for my UTH and it works like a charm. My temps are REALLY consistent with the hot side at 92-95 and the cool side around 80. Do that and your temp problems with disappear!

 

[Silentstealthe]

Well, The reason I keep the red light on is for it to be over the moist hide cause I heard if you heat up the moist hide the humidity is greater inside of it. I also do it to even out the middle temps. I have tried turning off the red light and it still doesn't lower the hot spot. Would putting something between the UTH and the tank help fix it? If so what is safe to put between it?

 

[bubblez825]

Use the lamp dimmer. Nothing will cool the UTH down except being controlled. The UTH is made to get in the 100's to suit any reptiles needs... It needs to be controlled, adjusted, and set at the right temps to be usable for a Leo or you risk having health issues and possible(probable) burning of the geckos feet and stomach from high temperatures

 

[sausage]

your UTH should have a nice air flow under it, that lowers the temp and prevents the glass from cracking under the heat.

for example my tanks are raised off the ground by aroun 1 to 2cm, i then have a ceramic tile then the UTH then another tile. the air flow and tiles distribute the heat leaving me with nice constant temps.

this also works if you place the UTH directly on the underside of the tank and put tiles on the inside. (I used to do it this way but my land lady moaned that it would ruin the furniture lol so i changed it)

Iv had issues with bullying in the past, you just have to bite the bullet and remove one to see if it helps. cant you use the old tank youve just replaced to house the other one?