EWD Issues

[croc_hunter_penny]

I bought 4 water dragons in June, and didn't know what sex they were, they were 6 months old.

I recently built them a nice big new enclosure, 6 times the volume of the old one. It has 2 levels, a big water container, sticks n things to climb all over, nice big basking area...

Now they are all running around red-chested and fighting so I am assuming they are all male. Why would the change to the new enclosure start them fighting?

I am considering writing a letter to the EPA so i can sell a couple of them because I don't really have the room for 4 separate enclosures, and I don't want to leave them together and end up with missing toes/legs. Anyone want a dragon?

-Penny

[pugsly]

There just starting to mature now.

Doesn't mean there all males though, but the fighting is over territory no doubt. They will sort it out hopefully, but if you notice continued aggression, you will have to seperate them.

[PhilK]

Saw a beautiful Eastern Water the other day, but it ran off when I went up for a photo. Jet black markings, bright red belly and chest... gorgeous.

Any chance of photos penny? Of the enclosure and the inhabitants?

[DiamondAsh]

I have the same issues. Make sure they have plenty of obstacles to hides in and around and under as they will dig to escape the violence. I found introducing them to a new enclosure is like akin to a brand new territory that will stir them up and while it once might have been a settled community it'll now be the fight for the best rock, basking spot etc all over again. Also make sure plenty of food is on offer and they are all getting their fair share. Otherwise, just keep an eye on them, playful nipping and jumping on each other is normal powerplay. however if you see one getting constantly taken to, might be time to think about seperating before you lose a limb.

Are they all from the same clutch?

[croc_hunter_penny]

yep they're all from the same clutch. I'll make sure I leave plenty of food in there (maybe in more than one spot?) and keep an eye on them.

Unfortunately I only have phone camera pics as I don't have a real camera at the moment

Pictures:
1. new enclosure (rather bare in the pic, now has a heat light and more sticks, hides etc)
2. all 4 of them in the old enclosure
3. "enjoying" the new enclosure
4. attempting to escape from the new enclosure (not possible mwahahaha )

[DiamondAsh]

They look really cute Penny. Now I'm no expert when it comes to these guys, just an owner operator. I think if they are from the same clutch they should be either predomenetly (sp?) male or female. (I could be wrong on this, an experianced breeder should be able to tell you.) With the feeding, just watch the pecking order to make sure the last one in is getting as much as the first one. I find I have to hand feed when it comes to things like crickets or one will hog the lot. I love the pic of them all hanging, quite often I lose one or two from the viewing of my tank as they tend to get up high out of sight.

[addy]

They are soo cute.. If they are all males they will all fight for quite some time. they may never stop. better have 3 females and 1 male.

[richardsc]

i have 11 males together,only 2 have there full tails,im of the thinking that when there that young ,they can be housed together,but if there not getting enough food can get nippy with each other,it happens with groups of females as well,also to wanna be water dragon owners,when u buy juvies,be aware that water dragons sex is based on the temps they are incubated at

[richardsc]

nice set up u have for them by the way penny,certainly not lacking running around space,u will have more issues with fighting when they are closer to sexual maturity

[croc_hunter_penny]

thanks everyone for the responses! yes they are adorable, i have some really cute photos of them where i swear they are posing!

looks like it might be best if i sell 2 or even 3 of them, as I seriously don't have the room for 4 of those enclosures and I don't want to keep them together as they may lose toes or limbs or tails from fighting or biting.

[croc_hunter_penny]

I'll write up a letter and send it off tomorrow to the EPA so I can sell them.

[croc_hunter_penny]

i have a filter in there. When i do water changes i can just attach a bit of hose to the end of the powerhead and it'll suck out most of the water for me into a bucket

[Renagade]

that;s awesome. hope you get it sorted.