I have a 20-30 gal. tank... what pet should I get?

Originally Posted by trixie23

I was explaining its only a starter tank (Im not that mean, thats WAY to small to keep a beardie in for long), and it would have to be long vs deep. Its a starter tank and that is why I suggested,...an upgrade would be necessary... Hence why I have no beardies. They are a huge commitment, expensive, their care is high maintenance and expensive as well. I love them, and maybe one day... but not until Im financially ready to commit to them.

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I can tell you have given owning a Beardie a lot of thought and researched a lot. You are going to make a great Bearded Dragon parent someday!

Originally Posted by cococat

I can tell you have given owning a Beardie a lot of thought and researched a lot. You are going to make a great Bearded Dragon parent someday!

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Ive studied into it, but I have much to learn. It will be a long time before Im a beardie's slave... The bf says no more pets for me right now. Maybe if I ever get a house, and have more room. Right now 3 cats and 2 fishtanks (10 gal and 20 gal) are all that I have room for. I just think they are too cute, they look like little dinosaurs (well eventually not so little). I do agree with anyone that lizards are alot of work and you have to be able to stomach feeding live crickets (I hate crickets lol) and there are alot of responsibilites involved with owning a beardie. Thats why I also suggested fish at the end of my original response. They are a little easier to maintain (freshwater) imo.

Originally Posted by trixie23

I do agree with anyone that lizards are alot of work and you have to be able to stomach feeding live crickets (I hate crickets lol).

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I think crickets are annoying and I hate them too, they are smelly, noisy, and eat/poo a lot.
There are many other options available for feeding Beardies. You never have to touch a cricket if you don't want to deal with them.
You can use: Phoenix worms (also come under different names for same thing), silkworms, superworms (for 16 inches and over Beardies only, not babies), tropical roaches (not common house pets but specific feeder roaches), butterworms, locusts, occassionally wax worms, meal worms aren't recommended and some owners and breeders occassionally give their adults a baby pinky (this is a common debate among keepers).

Originally Posted by cococat

I think crickets are annoying and I hate them too, they are smelly, noisy, and eat/poo a lot.
There are many other options available for feeding Beardies. You never have to touch a cricket if you don't want to deal with them.
You can use: Phoenix worms (also come under different names for same thing), silkworms, superworms (for 16 inches and over Beardies only, not babies), tropical roaches (not common house pets but specific feeder roaches), butterworms, locusts, occassionally wax worms, meal worms aren't recommended and some owners and breeders occassionally give their adults a baby pinky (this is a common debate among keepers).

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I did read those other options.... Im better with worms than crickets. Crickets are creepy and it is so hard to get them into the tank without one or a few slipping away. OMG I cant talk about this anymore, Im having flashbacks with loose crickets and my former anole community...

I'd get fish. 20-30 gallons would be great for a couple different schools of tetras and maybe a couple cory cats.

Tarantula
They don't require much and they are not big eaters.
Depending on species and gender though they can live 15+ years.

The down side though is that they are not a hands on pet and they don't do a lot

Originally Posted by cococat

If the poster was wanting a reptile, I would say Leo Gecko or two, adult(s).

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I'm a little late to the lizard debate, but I wanted to point out - you cannot keep two leopard geckos together. Geckos in general are solitary reptiles (as are most reptiles) and will fight or bully a cage mate. Leopard geckos in particular are very territorial.
As far as ease to keep, leopard and crested geckos would be the easiest starter reptile.

I agree with most of the people posting, the OP should go with what they know. More fish. Maybe even look into setting up a more natural aquarium with live plants.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

I'm a little late to the lizard debate, but I wanted to point out - you cannot keep two leopard geckos together. Geckos in general are solitary reptiles (as are most reptiles) and will fight or bully a cage mate. Leopard geckos in particular are very territorial.
.

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I currently have two females that get along in a very large enclosure. They have been together for years. I also know of keepers that do this without stress or problems in their animals (not the males!) http://www.sundialreptile.com/care sheet--leopard.htm
http://www.reptilerooms.com/Sections...23-page-1.html
I do agree in general reptiles DO NOT need cage mates and in many cases this is a bad idea, even more so with males who are more prone to fight and become very dominant.

Why don't you get a tarantula or a snake. They're really easy to look after and live ages! I've got a few snakes, spiders and lizards, they are beautiful animals and and great fun to keep...

^The first one is not the greatest care sheet. And if you're familiar with RR forum you'll know that 20 gallon long is recommended minimum as these are a 9"-10" lizards and particle substrates are bad. (Go look at the pictures of sand impaction in the leopard gecko section )

Occasionally females can get along without fighting, but it can happen at anytime. Better not to risk it really, especially if the person getting them is completely new to reptiles.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

...particle substrates are bad.

Occasionally females can get along without fighting, but it can happen at anytime. Better not to risk it really, especially if the person getting them is completely new to reptiles.

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Yes, I agree with all of that. Mine are in a huge enclosure that was custom made by us, we like building a lot.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

^The first one is not the greatest care sheet. And if you're familiar with RR forum you'll know that 20 gallon long is recommended minimum as these are a 9"-10" lizards and particle substrates are bad. (Go look at the pictures of sand impaction in the leopard gecko section

)
.

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Yikes, I did not see that site recommended particle substrate, that is very dangerous, the most dangerous in young hatchlings. Geez. That is a huge NO in Beardies and Leo Geckos. How awful.
I do not belong to any of those forums, I think that first care sheet breeder should however.

Best not to keep leopard gecko's in a small tank like that, they're fairly active and enjoy lots of space. We let our lizards out in the room to wander about freely. I don't suggest doing that unless you keep a close eye on them and they are easy to catch again.

I have a 20 Gallon & one Gerbil in it. I lost my other Gerbil boy.

Gerbils urine is less pungent than rats & they make wonderful pets. I suggest looking around on Petfinder to see what is avaliable for adoption, then reading up on the animals.

Beardies aren't that difficult to look after. We feed ours 1-2 crickets daily with a small side of carrot and lettuce. As long as they have a heat source they are fine!

I wouldn't suggest rats, they're pee smells really bad. I regretted getting mine, I loved them of course. They needed vigorous tank cleaning!

Originally Posted by Princess-Pickle

Beardies aren't that difficult to look after. We feed ours 1-2 crickets daily with a small side of carrot and lettuce. As long as they have a heat source they are fine!

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Lettuce and carrots are not sufficient for a proper diet. I suggest you study this site http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtrem...Nutrition.html and try to make a more balanced diet for your bearded dragon.

They eat crickets as well! We give them vitamin supplements too.

Originally Posted by Princess-Pickle

They eat crickets as well! We give them vitamin supplements too.

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Doesn't matter, lettuce is useless and can even be bad to feed -can cause diarrhea. Try feeding other greens like mustard, turnip, and collard greens. Instead of carrots for color, use grated winter squashes -acorn, butternut, spaghetti squash.

THIS is why bearded dragons are not good beginner reptiles. Many people do not realize that some vegetables are actually bad and that some are just useless nutritionally.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Doesn't matter, lettuce is useless and can even be bad to feed -can cause diarrhea. Try feeding other greens like mustard, turnip, and collard greens. Instead of carrots for color, use grated winter squashes -acorn, butternut, spaghetti squash.

THIS is why bearded dragons are not good beginner reptiles. Many people do not realize that some vegetables are actually bad and that some are just useless nutritionally.

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Yikes, Im almost sorry I made this suggestion...Im glad I recommended doing alot of research. This is getting controversial, but hence Im still learning alot... Ok continue!

Originally Posted by Princess-Pickle

Beardies aren't that difficult to look after. We feed ours 1-2 crickets daily with a small side of carrot and lettuce. As long as they have a heat source they are fine!

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This is terrible. What else do you feed? What is your Dragons age? Carrots are not a staple, neither is lettuce. http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtrem...Nutrition.html
What temp is the heat source, what do you measure it with? Does yours have a UVB bulb?