Hi everyone.
I have a tokay gecko (adult male) who doesn't seem to be eating still. I use to keep crickets in the aquarium so he could eat whenever (he was starved by previous owner) It was working great until I was told not to keep the crickets loose in his tank (I didn't know that the crickets could hurt him or disturb rest). I waited for the crickets to disappear (slowly I assume he ate them>only one left that I seen) I have been trying to give him different food. First, I tried superworms and he didn't eat them, then wax worms and now meal worms. I thought he would have eaten them since there is only one cricket left. I was thinking maybe it was because of the white glass dish I have them in. Also, I was going to put 12 gut loaded crickets in tomorrow night (in a tall plastic container) in hopes he will eat. I am starting to think I should just keep putting the crickets in as a free feed system since that was working before. I don't know what to do! He use to eat right away when I put the crickets in (powdered) but then he stopped eating right away and I assume slowly at night eating crickets. Does anyone have any suggestion on how to feed him? I never dealt with anything like this and I don't want to do anything wrong. He should be use to his new aquarium arrangement by now. OH YEAH! and he was just sitting in the warm side corner for afew days and his color was dark, but just now I am seeing him in different spots and positions. I thought maybe since the air was on for a week and then off again it messed with him. So I got a red night heat bulb to try because the temp dropped to 65.

INFO NEEDED:
Day temps- cool side 75-80 warm side 90-95
Humidity during day- 50% when misted gets up to 70% (misted morning and evening)

Night temps- cool side 70 warm side 90> I need a smaller bulb< will this hurt him?
Humidity at night- 70% (sometimes alittle more)

I am not sure if I should worry or what! Anyone know what could be happening? Do you have suggestions on how I should feed him? Thanks

Well, today I put 12 powdered crickets in, and he ate afew right away, so at least I know he is eating. I am just confused as to why he won't eat any mealworms or waxworms or superworms out of the dish. Also, since this seems like the only way he eats, will it make a difference if I leave the crickets in with him? I was thining about putting in 6-12 at a time and see how it goes. What do you all you think I should do? I am clueless =) at least he did eat thank goodness!

Although I have never owned a Tokay as a pet I know that these guys are really tough and I don't see how can a few crickets disturb a big Tokay unless they chirp him awake.Tokay's are arboreal whereas crickets can't climb aquarium glass.Why don't you post a good picture of your Tokay's enclosure so that people might be able to tell you what the worst case scenario will be.

Aidan

These are the ones I have, but I changed two of the plants in the front with another type because they were dying.
I never see my gecko on the bottom of the cage. Thanks and any advice is appreciated!

Hey! I notice you have the same lamp I do...is there any way to clamp it onto the cage or does it have to clamp onto something else?

The reason that some say not to leave crickets in cages with your reptiles is because they are carnivores. Meaning they can nibble on your reptile while it sleeps. I have seen baby reptiles that have lost toes due to too large a cricket being in the cage and it deciding it wants a snack on your reptile. Crickets are also canibalistic, so they will eat each other. So if you leave crickets in the enclosure and one dies, starts to rot, and then another eats the rotting cricket they may get a disease, and remember what your crickets eats your reptile eats. I personally try to not leave any crickets wondering around in my reptile enclosures. Another reason you shouldn't leave crickets in your enclosure is because they can stress out your reptile. I know it sounds stupid, but imagine if you have crickets running around you all day, you would lose your mind eventually.

I hope this helps.

I clamped it on to the shelf, but I have not tried to put it on the cage yet. I don't think it has enough turn to shine back into the cage once it is clamped (maybe on an angle).

thanks P. Mcgee, I do get it, but then I still have the problem as to how to get the crickets fed to my tokay. I can't get all of the crickets out once they are put in and I have trouble getting my Tokay to eat out of a dish for like mealworms and waxworms and superworms (or atleast that is my guess as to why he won't eat them. I am going to try to put the crickets in a tall container next feeding, but I am not sure he will do it. The other option would be putting in acouple everyday and making sure they get ate. I just don't know how many crickets to give.

You can try feeding him in a separate place other than his cage. I'm not sure how easily handled your tokay is (I know some have a biting issue), but you can just pick him up and put him in a tank that doesn't have places for the crickets or worms to hide. Then just put a few in at a time. I don't know about this method being used for Tokay's, but I know I've used it for other reptiles.

Yeah, I really don't handle him. He isn't so bad, I guess. I can get close to him, but I can't touch him without him barking trying to bite and running off. I did touch his tail the other day without him freaking out...progress? I don't know lol. So here is the update =) I put in 3-4 powdered crickets at a time until he didn't eat anymore>>and he ate 9 tonight. (plus acouple got away like 3 and I saw 2 that were already there, which means that there are about 5 left in there. He was really aggressive tonight when eating. He came up to my hand and almost took the crickets from me. I had them in a bag though and he bite the bag trying to eat them. I guess he was hungry!

So I guess what I am asking now is... since he ate 9 tonight then how much should I feed him? I use to do 24 every two weeks, but I don't want to anymore cause I am not going to leave the crickets in anymore. I guess I will try to feed acouple tomorrow (if the crickets that are left are gone) and then decide how many to do every night>>or try to feed from a container so I can monitor how much he eats and then take the crickets out every morning. I just don't think he will eat from a container, but it is worth a try. I will let you know what happens. Thanks for the help.