New AFT owner

Muffins94

New member
Hey everyone! Wow! It's been a LONG time since I've been online here!

In the meantime, I've added a few more friends. I'm up to 5 crested geckos, 1 bearded dragon and still have my leopard gecko.

I am getting an AFT within the next few weeks. It is an albino, and hatched almost 2 weeks ago. I have bought all the supplies, just waiting for the little one to grow a bit before it's ready to come home.

Since it is so small I decided to start with a 10 gallon, and use paper towels for substrate. I bought a heating pad to fit part of the tank, and a thermostat to hook up to that. I purchased two hides, as well as a moist hide. I have escape proof insect dishes for Dubia and worms, and will be getting tiny crickets when it's time for it to come home.

Is there any advise you have? I have quite a bit of reptile experience, especially with lizards. But since I'm new to AFTs I want to make sure that I'm starting out correctly!

I have a few questions-
1) what temp should I set the heating pad to? I have read 85-90 is good, but wondered if 87 would be good to give it some fluctuation with the thermostat.
2) how long would you recommend for me to use paper towels? I plan to use partial Eco earth once its big enough and safe enough.
3) would moss be ok for the humid hide? Or should I stick with a wet paper towel since it is young?
4) I plan to use paper towel for substrate. Would spraying half of the substrate lightly be a good idea? I see many people spray the Eco earth when they use it. Would I spray the cool or warm side?


Thanks in advance and it's good to be back. :)
 

acpart

Well-known member
Congrats on your upcoming AFT.
I keep the UTH at about 92, just like for my leopard geckos. I have successfully kept AFT juvies on coco fiber in planted tanks. Since I mist every morning, I don't really have a humid hide and everyone does fine. I generally mist the cool side since that's where the plants are and I'm also watering the plants, but periodically I mist the other side to add some moisture.

Aliza
 

Muffins94

New member
Got my little fat tail last night! Any tips on getting the baby to eat? It's only two weeks old. I have really tiny crickets for it. But I feel like maybe feeding in the 10 gal tank might be overwhelming.
 

Muffins94

New member
Thanks elizabeth! Glad to be back and have this adorable little fat tail! I seen it take a cricket tonight.
 

acpart

Well-known member
I have found consistently with my AFT hatchlings that some of them go through a period early on where they just don't eat. I have seen tails just about melt away. I keep offering and after awhile most of them start up again and I can just about see their tails grow every day.

Aliza
 

Muffins94

New member
You are totally welcome. Eating that cricket is very good news. :D

Looking forward to AFT hatchling pics when you guys are ready.

I tried posting pictures numerous times but it keeps saying it maxes out the size limit. :( They are just phone pictures so I'm not sure why. I'll keep trying.
 
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