Why is my African Fat-Tailed Geckos eating habits so bad and is he underweight?

BriTheSoftie · Nov 19, 2023

So I'm not sure if this picture is accurate or not but I'm starting to worry about my gecko. I got a African Fat-Tailed Gecko on October 4th, he seems happy and comfortable with his enclosure but won't eat any solid foods. The only thing he will eat is a powdered formula that you syringe feed geckos and repashy. I got it from Petco.
I have tried hand feeding him, ripping a wax worm in half, and leaving worms, roaches, and cricket in his enclosure. He will stare at the alive insects and walk away.
Recently I have noticed that whenever he sees the worms or crickets move he runs away in fear. He is absolutely terrified of movement from the small critters, but he's fine with me moving? Once he was chilling out just relaxing and a wax worm came crawling over to him and he ran straight into his hide and watched the worm from a distance looking terrified.
I'm okay with syringe feeding him for the rest of his life as it is good bonding time and he is absolutely adorable, but I just want to know why he isn't eating anything other than what I call his baby formula and the syringe is his baby bottle. I've tried wax worms, mealworms, crickets, freezedried worms, and Dubia roaches. He won't eat anything but repashy and the powder.

Yesterday I weighted him and he is 10 grams, he is currently four months old as well.
Is my gecko underweight?

Shellsfeathers&fur · Nov 19, 2023

What are the temperatures? When he was in the hide he was probably watching the wax worm waiting to 'pounce' on it. Syringe feeding is not ideal unless an animal is poorly and really quite stressful for all.

Debbie1962 · Nov 19, 2023

As above syringe feeding should only be done for ill animals. Give us a run down of your set up and if possible a photo of the gecko.

wilkinss77 · Nov 19, 2023

As above, details of your set up (size & type of housing, temps & heating method/thermostat type, decor & lighting) & pics of the set up & the gecko.

BriTheSoftie · Nov 19, 2023

He is an albino so it was suggested to use a beat mat to help with lighting problems, I'm asking for more things for him for Christmas including something to climb on.
Warm side: 82°F
Cold side: 75°F
He mostly hangs out in the warm side.
I'm pretty sure it's a 10 gallon tank.
I will also add that with the syringe feeding he seemed to enjoy it by putting his mouth on the end and eating it, if I stopped making liquid come out he squeaks in disappointment.
I don't syringe feed anymore btw. He eats repashy. (Still trying solids but refuses)

under the plant is where he poops and his cold hide. Again I'm getting things to fill his tank and to climb on soon.

wilkinss77 · Nov 20, 2023

He needs a loose substrate to dig in, & a basking lamp instead of the mat, set to above 90f at the basking surface. He will soon need a bigger viv.

Why is my African Fat-Tailed Geckos eating habits so bad and is he underweight?

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