[Vector]

After much debate, I've narrowed down my choices of phelsuma to laticauda laticauda or klemmeri. Between the two, I am definitely interested in Klemmeri since they don't need very large setups and I love their colors. I also was going to make a naturalistic vivarium with lots of tilandsia , bromeliads, bamboo, etc. Before I do make the choice to get a Neon Day Gecko, I had a couple of questions. I've already read the Klemmeri caresheet in the caresheet section.

1. Are Klemmeri a good beginner day gecko species?

2. Is a 12x12x18 Zoo Med Terrarium ok for one Phelsuma Klemmeri, possibly two?

3. Does anyone here feed their Phelsuma Repashy's Day Gecko Meal Replacement Powder?

[sushigex]

I find that klemmeri are very easy to keep and breed prolifically without much effort. You definitely want to have plants to help keep the humidity up and a lot of narrow bamboo. I like to have most of the bamboo having small cracks that the gecko can use as retreats.

They will readily eat the mrp, but they should still be offered insects, dusted crickets mainly. A 12x18 could work for a pair but I would go bigger. Mainly because once you start furnishing a 12x18 it gets small quickly.

[daggekko]

I don't keep P klemmeri, but from what I've seen they should be fairly easy to keep. I second sushigex on everything.

That size enclosure will get small fast, and because from what I've seen about how prolific they are you will have more than just 2 geckos before you know it

I feed all of my Phelsuma the Repashy Day Gecko MRP. Even the babies eat it up! I would not recommend it as the sole food though. There are many things they can eat and good variety will go a long way.

Good luck with them! Make sure to post pictures for all of us!

[jadrig]

They dont really need the space...just a busy/cluttered vertical enclosure will suffice for a pair. Even if compatible...they still get annoyed when sharing space. They will thrive in a vertical 5 or 10 gallon set up. When you start introducing a second female or multiple males...thats when you need the space. The key is that each gecko has its own personality/compatibility issues...and they have to be watched to make sure one is not overly aggressive...even with two females...especially with laticauda.

[daggekko]

Originally Posted by jadrig

They dont really need the space...just a busy/cluttered vertical enclosure will suffice for a pair. Even if compatible...they still get annoyed when sharing space. They will thrive in a vertical 5 or 10 gallon set up. When you start introducing a second female or multiple males...thats when you need the space. The key is that each gecko has its own personality/compatibility issues...and they have to be watched to make sure one is not overly aggressive...even with two females...especially with laticauda.

I feel like your saying the don't need the space but get annoyed when sharing the space. To me this seems very contradicting.

I would start with one gecko just until you really get the hang of Phelsuma.

Most of the time with a smaller space your going to end up with unhappy Phelsuma. You could put 2 klemmeri in that small of an enclosure but I definately recommend a larger enclosure-the largest size you can get would be the best. Good luck to whichever route you go!

[Sgvreptiles]

I have kept my pairs of klemmeri in 12x12x18s in the past and they have worked out well. Bigger tanks are always better in phelsumas mind. The more room they can run the better, but they will settle for a smaller tank.

[jadrig]

daggecko...

What I meant was that Phelsuma are very territorial...like reef fish, but incompatible geckos will never have enough room.
I had a crafty WC female standingi that would escape her enclosure every now and then. I would let her have the run of the room for a couple days til she was comfortable. An adult daughter of hers escaped within the same room, and got beat up and chased out of the room...found her on the other side of the house. A whole bedroom with windows and almost a dozen lights was not sufficient for these two girls...
Compatibility is most important...and personally, 2 separate babyfood/CGD dishes in a 5 gallon tank is more gratuitous than 1 dish in a 90 gallon tank. They dont really like to share the coveted babyfood .
But, as someone stated earlier...especially when dealing with a species that is NEW to you...you should get one at a time...or house them separately at first in order to learn their 'normal' behaviors before pairing them up.
Although klemmeri seem to get along better in large groups compared to most Phelsuma...all geckos do better when housed individually.