Grandis can't get along?

KingOfTheNorth · #1 11-26-2011, 05:43 PM

I made a thread about 3 months ago about one of my grandis being aggressive towards the other one. It was determined that the geckos were too young to breed or be together.

Perhaps I'm being impatient but I took both of them on vacation with me and when I returned today I decided to put them back together in my large tank that I rearranged and did not bring with my on vacation so neither would be accustomed to them.

They are both 8 and a half months or so and just over 7 inches long. One male and one female.

My problem is that I just put them together and they have not stopped attacking each other since I put them in. Skin pieces are missing from both of my geckos within 20 minutes of being together. Should I just let them work it out or split them up again? I'm really worried about them seriously injuring each other.

Hannibal · #2 11-26-2011, 06:02 PM

Separate them or they will cause more damage to each other or possible kill one another.

KingOfTheNorth · #3 11-26-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibal

Separate them or they will cause more damage to each other or possible kill one another.

Just did, they just back and forth fought each other..is that normal? When can the be together to breed..maybe it's too early still?

lauraleellbp · #4 11-26-2011, 06:51 PM

I think it's still way too early. I'd wait another year at least- from everything I've read, P. m. grandis females often aren't sexually mature until 18-24 months.

KingOfTheNorth · #5 11-26-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

I think it's still way too early. I'd wait another year at least- from everything I've read, P. m. grandis females often aren't sexually mature until 18-24 months.

Oh wow, I read somewhere that 8-12 months and 7" was good so I was going by that. Well that's a relief that I wasn't doing something wrong or somehow they just hated each other. I'll wait much longer then!

lauraleellbp · #6 11-26-2011, 06:54 PM

I think some of the smaller Phelsuma species are mature much earlier, but not the grandis.

HOWEVER- it's also common for pairs to reject each other as well- sometimes it takes some swapping around to find two that are compatible. I picked up my most recent adult female who had a pair that just couldn't get along, the male wouldn't stop beating up the female I have now.

KingOfTheNorth · #7 11-26-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

I think some of the smaller Phelsuma species are mature much earlier, but not the grandis.

HOWEVER- it's also common for pairs to reject each other as well- sometimes it takes some swapping around to find two that are compatible. I picked up my most recent adult female who had a pair that just couldn't get along, the male wouldn't stop beating up the female I have now.

Hmm I see, well if 18+ months is when my female would be sexually mature and she's only 8 months I'm hoping that's the only problem. Guess I'll be waiting quite a while to find out, but I feel better that they're not exactly supposed to get along yet. It's quite worrysome to see them fight like that, thinking they're supposed to be able to be friendly.

lauraleellbp · #8 11-26-2011, 07:01 PM

Yeah I just wanted to warn you that there's no guarantees that your pair will in fact get along even giving them another year, just so you can have a Plan B if needed.

KingOfTheNorth · #9 11-26-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Yeah I just wanted to warn you that there's no guarantees that your pair will in fact get along even giving them another year, just so you can have a Plan B if needed.

Right, makes sense. Thanks for the info, appreciate it! This forum seems to be a much better source of information than random care sheets on the internet.

terradas · #10 11-28-2011, 07:26 PM

The important thing is you cannot confuse sexual maturity with the age you can accurately sex your gecko. I can sex my rhacs are under 6 months, but would never pair them that young. Phelsuma are a highly territorial genus in general so you need to take care when introducing them. I wouldn't pair them until at least 18 months. I didn't pair mine until my female started laying infertile eggs. Some geckos will just never be compatible, although it's way too soon to pair yours anyway.

Another aspect may be stress. You said you took your day geckos on vacation? These animals do not travel well and become highly stressed. In general, you should not travel with them and I'm sure that was another strong reason why they were so violent with each other.

Give them another 6-8 months minimum in their own enclosures. The try introducing them to a neutral tank or, if you don't have one, into the female's enclosure once it is rearranged. Remember, day geckos are highly territorial, but if done correctly grandis tend to be a more gentle species.