A few questions about C. elegans.

[Coleonyx]

I just got a pair of striped C. elegans and I have a few questions.

Could someone post a pic of healthy C. elegans? I am not sure how much fat is supposed to be stored in the tail, but there is a big difference between the male and the female. The male isn't eating anything and is less active, at least compared to the female. Here is a pic of both.

Male

Female

(they are not being housed on sand, this was just for the picture. They are hard to see on their substrate. )

Any tips to get the male eating? I just received them, so maybe I shouldn't be worrying so much. Better safe than sorry I suppose.


UPDATE: Both are eating now. Thanks all!

 

[geckomaster]

I don't have any tips, but they are both very lovely geckos. I'm jealous!

Mark

 

[Coleonyx]

Thanks!


Forgot to add that they are in quarantine at the moment. Could this be the reason? Should I move them to a larger tank and boost the temperature (it is currently 72-78 )?

 

[Nathan Hall]

First of all, I decided to give you a female that I raised from a hatchling and have had her since September. That is why she is so huge. I've only had the male since March, and he eats a lot. Like I mentioned in a previous PM, you really need to bump up the temps. I was recently in Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula, and it gets quite warm. I keep my adults at 80-84 during the day and 72-75 at night. Matjaz might be able to give you some more details on that specimen. I though that you would want the better stripe. I have TONS of males, so we will gladly replace him if needed. Give them some time to acclimate before you start to stress. They are both pigs and eat 3-4 2/3-grown crickets three times a week. You keep them cooler than i do. You've had them for a very short period, Alex. Patience.

 

[Nathan Hall]

Any tips to get the male eating? I just received them, so maybe I shouldn't be worrying so much. Better safe than sorry I suppose.

Bump up the temp, leave him alone, and don't worry. If you have any issues at all, I will gladly send another (younger) male.

 

[mat.si]

I just saw this. It's great that they are both eating now.
I never do any shipping of geckos here, so I can't be sure, but it could be due to the stress of shipping that he stopped eating for some time. You also need to set them up at a bit higher temperatures, as Nathan said.

I keep mine at 20 - 24 C at night (depending on time of the year) and
25 - 28 (sometimes up to 29) C during the day.
The moist part is hotter than the dry part of the terrarium, so they can choose.

Females usually store a lot of fat when not breeding.
Their tails also get quite thinner during the breeding season. They have big appetites and should really be fed well.
The males usually stay the same all through the year.

Matjaz

 

[Coleonyx]

Thanks for the info. I feel a lot better.


This helped too.

 

[Palex134]

oh wow I am so jealous! I want some elegans bad! Coleonyx are gorgeous, and you have the one of the most gorgeous species!