Freshwater/Marine?
New member
Ashy Gecko
(Sphaerodactylus elegans)
General Information
Ashy Geckos are native to Cuba, however they are widely distributed. They have been introduced to Florida, most likely as stowaways in lumber shipments.
Ashy Geckos are excellent display geckos. They are rather drab as adults, but the juveniles are literally miniature rainbows. They are about 2.5 cm. when they hatch and they grow to about 8 cm. They are probably the largest dwarf geckos found in Florida, they are competing with the native Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus noatus).
Housing
An entire colony consisting of around 8 individuals can be housed in a 10 gallon. I have heard that Ashy Geckos are occasionally territorial, however I have never seen any aggression with mine. Hatchlings are extremely tiny they can slip through screen tops so beware. These geckos are very intelligent, when mine escaped one time I was upset and then one of them jumped on my hand while I was typing. All of my geckos were camping out on my computer desk watching me. When Ashy Geckos escape they are always somewhere warm like a computer or light hood.
Substrate
I use sand or crushed coral. Since my substrate is so dry I always have to be sure they have water.
Decoration
I tried to model their natural habitat. I actually catch my Sphaerodactylus geckos under the bark of Australian Pine Trees. For their terrarium I chose pieces of coconut husk along with sea grape leaves. Since Ashy Geckos are more arboreal than most dwarf geckos I added a very nice y-shaped stick with rocks around the base. My Ashy Geckos spend most of their time chilling under the lip of the lid.
Temperatures and Humidity and Lighting
I keep my geckos between 70 and 80. They do not care much about temperature as long as it doest not go below 65 degrees. Since I have a screen top the humidity is very low. I mist them occasionally but they do not seem to care. They get really dehydrated if their water bowl is empty so I have to refill it promptly.
Feeding
I feed pinhead crickets to the adults. I occasionally give them treats like Mango puree. The adults can handle surprisingly large crickets. Even though they wont touch dead ones, they will cut apart their prey and eat them piece by piece, this is unusual since most geckos swallow their prey whole.
Handling Ashy Geckos are extremely delicate and cannot be dropped. Mine are not afraid of me at all. I took them to school a few times to show my friends. Ashy Geckos never bite, even if they did they could do little damage.
(Sphaerodactylus elegans)
General Information
Ashy Geckos are native to Cuba, however they are widely distributed. They have been introduced to Florida, most likely as stowaways in lumber shipments.
Ashy Geckos are excellent display geckos. They are rather drab as adults, but the juveniles are literally miniature rainbows. They are about 2.5 cm. when they hatch and they grow to about 8 cm. They are probably the largest dwarf geckos found in Florida, they are competing with the native Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus noatus).
Housing
An entire colony consisting of around 8 individuals can be housed in a 10 gallon. I have heard that Ashy Geckos are occasionally territorial, however I have never seen any aggression with mine. Hatchlings are extremely tiny they can slip through screen tops so beware. These geckos are very intelligent, when mine escaped one time I was upset and then one of them jumped on my hand while I was typing. All of my geckos were camping out on my computer desk watching me. When Ashy Geckos escape they are always somewhere warm like a computer or light hood.
Substrate
I use sand or crushed coral. Since my substrate is so dry I always have to be sure they have water.
Decoration
I tried to model their natural habitat. I actually catch my Sphaerodactylus geckos under the bark of Australian Pine Trees. For their terrarium I chose pieces of coconut husk along with sea grape leaves. Since Ashy Geckos are more arboreal than most dwarf geckos I added a very nice y-shaped stick with rocks around the base. My Ashy Geckos spend most of their time chilling under the lip of the lid.
Temperatures and Humidity and Lighting
I keep my geckos between 70 and 80. They do not care much about temperature as long as it doest not go below 65 degrees. Since I have a screen top the humidity is very low. I mist them occasionally but they do not seem to care. They get really dehydrated if their water bowl is empty so I have to refill it promptly.
Feeding
I feed pinhead crickets to the adults. I occasionally give them treats like Mango puree. The adults can handle surprisingly large crickets. Even though they wont touch dead ones, they will cut apart their prey and eat them piece by piece, this is unusual since most geckos swallow their prey whole.
Handling Ashy Geckos are extremely delicate and cannot be dropped. Mine are not afraid of me at all. I took them to school a few times to show my friends. Ashy Geckos never bite, even if they did they could do little damage.