Housing question

[Revasius]

I have a male crestie who's about 5-6 months old (full hemipenal bulge), and I want to add a female to the mix. However, he does have FTS and is a bit small because he wasn't fed properly before I got him, but he seems to be putting on a little weight as time goes by. He is extremely fast, and there is plenty of space for two adult cresteds in his current cage.

Should I introduce an adult female, or a juvenile/subadult in order to prevent aggression? I do have a spare 10 gallon tank I could use if there's major aggression, but I would love to have a second breeding pair. As well, is there anything I can do to prevent aggression between the two? Thanks!

 

[Yoshi'smom]

It's recommended to never house two males together. They will fight for territory. Females can be housed together as long as their is enough space for each animal, they are the same size and that there is also no fighting. They are more tolerable of tank mates but fights can break out at any time.
I would not introduce any tank mate to your male, especially a female. They will breed and if you're not prepared to have babies, I would steer clear. I would also not introduce a female for the fact that he has FTS. Any animal that has any defect, should not be bred. It's best to keep healthy animals in the breeding pool. I also worry that if your male is not big enough a ready to breed size female will beat on him too.

 

[Revasius]

Hello!

I knew that you can´t keep two males together, that's why I was very careful to get a female. I am planning on breeding him, as it has been determined that his FTS was caused by a combination of minor MBD and a really awful cage setup before I got him.... (he had one tiny branch to climb on and nothing else). However, he has almost completely recovered on the MBD end. Obviously, you can't cure bone damage done, but he is now much more healthy and comfortable.

I did end up getting a MUCH smaller female, she is about an inch and a half smaller than him, but old enough to be sexed, as compared to his 6-7 months. Once she is past her quarantine and I have some weight on her, they will be introduced into his much larger cage. I was planning on breeding him, (and I am totally prepared, he is not my first gecko). Honestly, there is a lot of controversy regarding breeding cresties with FTS, and I don´t think there is a ¨right¨ answer. I look at his FTS as a result of an improper diet and bad caging, and I don´t think there´s ever been a record of a crestie born with FTS, it only develops after either a lack of calcium or perches becomes evident.

 

[Aimless]

FTS is controversial, MBD is not. I second the idea that breeding an animal with prior health issues like that is a very bad idea.

if you choose not to take our advice, I would not introduce, at the very least, until the female is a minimum of 35 grams.

 

[Revasius]

I really don´t want it to sound like I am arguing with anyone! I appreciate the advice! (I would not be introducing a female until they were both at the right size).

I agree that the MBD is definitely an issue... I honestly feel like it was caused by his diet, as they were feeding baby food and undusted crickets. I do have a question: if a gecko with minor MBD (cured) is bred to a healthy female, and the baby has the gene (I guess that´s what it would be called) for MBD, but it was raised on a good diet with the right calcium levels, will the baby still show signs of MBD?

And can a gecko that does not carry the gene for MBD, but who still had it as a result of improper feeding, produce offspring with MBD?

Thank you!

 

[Aimless]

it's not that there's a genetic reason that could be passed on.

the problem is that if the male's germ line or anything else about his reproductive health was affected by not having proper nutrition when younger, then you could produce inferior offspring or offspring with health issues. MBD is not just about bone growth; calcium is necessary for all sorts of metabolic and intracellular signaling events. that's why it's especially damaging in young, growing geckos.

I have seen people breed geckos like this. I don't have any data compiled or anything, but I personally wouldn't chance it. there are so many cresties in the world, why would you want to make offspring that may not be strong or robust?

 

[Revasius]

That's very interesting, thank you for the information! I wouldn't want to purposefully create weak or disabled geckos. I appreciate your advice!