Brand New Blueys

[SpectralChimaera]

Hey all, returning owner, (I had a bluey about 8 years ago that I sadly had to give to a friend due to massive housing change that pretty much ruined everything), but that's by the by.

I recently got back into bluey ownership (will post pics very soon) and have 2 wonderful blueys, they have grown up together so i thought it only right to keep them together and they are doing wonderfully.

My only issue is the specially produced lizard food (repashi) that the petshop sold me, which is fine, I checked it out, neither of them want a bar of it. I decided to try it a few days in a row with different additions, banana, some egg mixed in, nothing. Grabbed a pouch of cat food from the cupboard today, put in the bowl and bam, they're smashing it like nothing.

My question is, should i be worried, or should i just give them cat food with supplimented dietries here and there?

For those wondering, my previous bluey was on a diet of cat food, greens and the occasional egg when he was a good boy.

Regards

Chimaera

[starscream3232]

Dog food is a much better choice. It has the perfect mix of protein and veggies. Perfect for omnivores like bts. It should always be part of their staple diet. Keepers have been using it for years with great success. I know skinks close to 30 years old that have been fed nothing but that. I use it 99% of the time. Just supplement with cal/d3 and you're good to go.

[tbets]

I would advise to opt for dog food instead of cat food like the person before me said. Cat food has taurine in it where as dog food doesn't. I believe a lot of people feed cat food to babies because it has like twice the amount of protein in it than dog food. Ultimately that's up to you, but I think dog food is the better choice, be sure to feed them their greens as well (my baby BTS loves dandelion greens mixed in with grain free dog food).

As for housing them together, I would highly advise against doing that. If you don't mind me asking, how old are the 2 BTS you have? I don't think it's a good idea keeping them together at any age seeing that they're solitary animals.

[SpectralChimaera]

As for the dog food I'll pick some up next shopping trip and get some other stuff too, I'll try them on the repashi again and see how they go, if they still don't want it I'll switch to dog food and supplements.

As for the housing aspect, they're both around 3 months, they've been in the same tank together since they were born, I know it's a potential risk but as they are in a large tank I'm ok at the moment. However should any sign of animosity arise I'd immediately separate.

I do have a second smaller tank that i had leopards in for a while, which would suit the smaller of the two skinks skills for a short time. But they have been interacting with something of a good relationship so far. They frequently snuggle up next to each other at night and feed together aswell.

[starscream3232]

I would seperate immediately. Don't wait for a problem to arise before you separate. They have very powerful jaws and can easily break bones and remove a limb. I've seen too many they were fine until stories.

[SpectralChimaera]

In regards to separation, would the smaller tank be suitable or is it going to be too small even now?

[SpectralChimaera]

After a massive sit down chat with the local herp expert here he's suggested multiple solutions.

My fiance is home a lot during the day and always checks on them, interacts with them etc.

Among the suggestions is ensuring plentiful food and water, individual spaces, time out of the tank, interaction, keeping an eye on behaviours and personalities.

I also have a webcam on the tank 24/7 mostly for my live stream but I check in every so often for activity. There is plenty of space for them to be separate, and overall I've successfully kept other herps together using these ideas in the past.

I know it's frowned upon, but I believe with the appropriate mechanisms in place I can keep them both secure and happy in the same environment. I understand all of your concerns and I agree that in most cases it's probably wise to keep them sepe rate. However these 2 have been in the same tank together since they were born.

I feel there is potential here.

[splashy07]

What type of bts are they? I don't want to start any arguments here but I have heard of successful co-habitations with siblings in Easterns and some Indonesian species.
If they're Northerns just forget all about it and get another cage.

[SpectralChimaera]

I spent about hour last night confirming that they're both eastern