L. williamsi help please!!

[steve56616]

I bought a pair of L. williamsi last week as a breeding pair. Both were in excellent condition and the female had been laying. I was told she is due to lay again very soon.
All was going well and they settled in their new home with no problem. Even started mating within 2 hrs.
Yesterday I noticed the male speding more time lower down and on the floor area and was dark in colour. I placed him on the bamboo under the heat and he became blue again. I have been watching and it sees his sticky toes/feet are not sticky and he can not grip very well and slips to the floor.
They have had and do have UV lighting, dusted food so I was told.
Anyway as you can see from the photo a few days ago he was fine.
Any ideas please???

 

[Marauderhex]

He might just be shedding, based on the information in your post.

 

[steve56616]

I did wonder if he was about to shed. I haven't ever noticed my Phelsuma's going like this at shed time. Just a little darker for a day thats about it.
Just had me worried as never seen this behaviour before of not being able to hold on properly :?

 

[Marauderhex]

My Gekkos and Rhacs all go through a "nonsticky" period during shedding.

 

[steve56616]

I just had a thought :scratchhead:
I wonder if I am keeping them too damp? I am used to keeping Dart frogs that have it very humid. I spray a few times a day but the moss at the bottom of the viv is very moist. Maybe I am misting too much???
I have also raised the temp from 80f to 85f with the basking area 95ish
They seem a bit brighter today as I stated to panic as the female started to go the same way.
Do they like it warmer and dryer than the Phelsuma's??

 

[steve56616]

Im still worried about these two. The female is the same as the male now. Both are not that active, both their colours are dull, the male dark.
They spend more time lower down in the viv than wanting to bask.
Temps are around 85f and 95ish under the basking light.
I have them set up in the same way as my Gold dusts in the viv next to them and they are fine. Fully coloured, very active and laying eggs.
Should I have these Williamsi at a different temp, humidity? are they too humid?
I am at a loss as to what is wrong and why they are not feeding or happy. Something must be wrong in my set up

I am so worried about them
Any ideas please !!!

 

[steve56616]

Some photo's
None of the Gecko's can be seen as all hide when I go in the room and couldn't wait for them to come out to take photo's
Just to give an idea of set ups. I know there can be some visial improvements but is there anything anyone can see that is causing the problems with the Williamsi?

Both viv side by side

Williamsi viv

Gold dust viv

 

[gosaspursm]

Hey Steve,
I keep my williamsi anywhere from 60-80% humidity. They did not do as well when the humidity was higher than 80. Additionally, the excess water on the glass made it so that none could stick to the glass.

Your temperatures are high. I would aim for 80-85F with a basking spot no hotter than 90F.

With my colony, I have noticed that williamsi do best when they are left alone. You almost feel as though you are neglecting them. Maureen has reported a similar finding. So... do your best to mist only once a day (even if you have to do more). Also, feed every other day if possible. Essentially, stay away from the cage as much as you can until it is obvious they have recovered. I know it is hard not to look at them every few seconds when you believe they are ill; but this will do far more bad than good.

Feel free to contact me at anytime if you have questions.

 

[jband]

I agree your tank is to hot. Especially if your geckos are hanging towards the bottom of your tank. I keep my tank around 82 degrees with a 60 to 80 percent humidity. I mist heavy once a day in the morning just the plants and the substrate. I aim more towards a dry humidity than a real damp one if that makes any sense. Basically my tank is more vented than inclosed so the sides of the aquarium are not all foggy, to me that would be to much moisture. I hope this helps you. Your male should be very vibrant in color especially if its in a tank with only one other female. Its an indicator that somthing is off, good catch let us know how things are going.

 

[steve56616]

All now fine. I didn't do anything to the viv and today both male and female shed and are back to normal. Just surprised it took so long as my Phelsuma's don't really change much before a shed.
Anyway, thanks for all your help and comments

Steve

 

[hexentanz]

I will third the fact that you are keeping them a tad bit on the warm side. High humidity will also cause issues down the line (as you mentioned they are not darts).