[Master Tang]

I've had 2 of mine for over a year now and they still weigh less than 10 grams. I'm worried about them, and I've had the other one for almost year and she only weighs about 10 grams. Right now I'm feeding them just CGD and I know they eat it, but should I start crickets?

[Riverside Reptiles]

I'm not a big fan of feeding just cgd. I'd start feeding well fed, well gutloaded crickets and/or tropical roaches also.

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by Riverside Reptiles

I'm not a big fan of feeding just cgd. I'd start feeding well fed, well gutloaded crickets and/or tropical roaches.

Rhacodactylus ciliatus are fruit and nectar eaters, and an insect-based diet is extremely unhealthy for them. They CAN be raised on properly supplemented fruit-based diets, but the Repashy and Clark CGD are both already properly supplemented the easiest staple diet by far to ensure that Cresties are getting proper nutrition. Crested Geckos raised on these diets have proven time after time to grow and reproduce much better than those raised on insects or improperly supplemented babyfood.

10g isn't all that bad for a 1 year old gecko. I have several that are over 1 year old and still a bit under 10g. Different geckos grow at different rates, even when kept under identical conditions. As long as your gecko is eating, pooping, doesn't look overly skinny, then it's fine.

You can feed bugs if you want, I'd recommend about once a week. (I feed bugs probably 2-3x/month).

[Riverside Reptiles]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Rhacodactylus ciliatus are fruit and nectar eaters, and an insect-based diet is extremely unhealthy for them.

Simply not true. While their diet in the wild does indeed include fruit and nectar, they eat insects as well. Nobody suggested an all insect diet. But, like in nature, a varied diet is the best, most healthy diet.

[Scarlet.Escapist]

Imho I do agree with Ethan and the idea of giving the geckos a varied diet.

I've raised several clutches of hatchlings where 1 set I raised on purely cgd and another on cgd first two weeks out of egg and then on the 3rd week I started adding gutloaded + supplemented crickets/worms (butters,wax, meal, horned..etc) to their diet. The 1st set ended up growing at a slower pace than the 2nd set that was given a more varied diet. Both sets were healthy but there was notable weight and size difference when they hit the 1year mark. Unfortunately the computer that had all my weighing info on the geckos crashed and I was unable to recover the data.

Don't misunderstand, I do endorse/support/encourage the use of cgd as it is a complete diet. And I do understand that some keepers get the jitters dealing with insects. However, imho if I had the chance to get insect feeders for my geckos I would incorporate that into their diet whenever I can. The insects provide added protein+fat(depending on insect) that aid in the growth and development of muscle and other bodily tissue.

So to the OP:
I would suggest that if you could get some crickets to feed them that you should. Make sure the crickets themselves are properly sized, gutloaded and supplemented. And serve them in rotation with their CGD. Try not to overwhelm them with too many crickets at once at their first feeding. They might be hesistant at first so be patient .

Hope that helps

[stellarawesome]

I think Laura thought that feeding only insects was being advised.

I had a gecko stay at five grams for a year. Talk about gut wrenching. But he's doing fine now and eats like a champ. (And after he hit around 6-7 grams he took an actual interest in bugs and his weight greatly improved there after).

Weekly supplementation of insects does seem to boost growth as opposed to just crested gecko diet.

I would not advise attempting to power feed them, but once a week appropriately sized live prey (as in not larger than the space between the gecko's eyes) gut-loaded & dusted will probably yeild a gecko that grows a little quicker.

[raiderchick]

Originally Posted by Master Tang

I've had 2 of mine for over a year now and they still weigh less than 10 grams. I'm worried about them, and I've had the other one for almost year and she only weighs about 10 grams. Right now I'm feeding them just CGD and I know they eat it, but should I start crickets?

I heard that cresties grow faster if they are offered live food once a week or every other week to their cgd diet. I have given my gecko small crickets on this feeding schedule and he's on track. I did just place an order for pheonix worms which are much healthier feeders than crickets. If he takes to those I will give them those and no more crickets. But you can try a couple of small dusted crickets to see if your guys go for them. But no more than once a week or they may hold out for live food. Then again, I have heard some geckos having no interest in live food.

[mbhorslev]

Just a quick ? Do they really eat mealworms? Then why is it only recommended in the different threads and caresheets, that you feed crickets?

[Riverside Reptiles]

Originally Posted by raiderchick

I heard that cresties grow faster if they are offered live food once a week or every other week to their cgd diet. I have given my gecko small crickets on this feeding schedule and he's on track. I did just place an order for pheonix worms which are much healthier feeders than crickets. If he takes to those I will give them those and no more crickets. But you can try a couple of small dusted crickets to see if your guys go for them. But no more than once a week or they may hold out for live food. Then again, I have heard some geckos having no interest in live food.

While phoenix worms are pretty healthy, I've had issue with getting my geckos of any species to eat them. A lot of geckos simply don't like them. So I'd make sure to try a small batch of them first, prior to ordering a whole bunch, just to see if your gecko(s) will even eat them.

[lauraleellbp]

Yes, the first time I read what you wrote, Ethan, I thought you were saying DON'T feed CGD, ONLY feed insects. Reading it today, I see that's not what you meant LOL

I agree varied is better- as long as the "staple" food is fruit-based and properly supplemented. If insects are the MAJORITY of the food offered to a Crestie, it will end up unhealthy. But there are so many care sheets around that still give out this advice...

Several of my geckos, including most of my adults, simply won't eat live food. I offer crickets and silkworms to those that will, though. Dubia roaches are also really good- though most species are illegal to keep here in FL (and I personally can't deal with roaches to begin with.)