Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[ukscott1972]

I have 2 flexariums, each housing a number of crested geckos. I've just noticed tonight that some of the cresties in one of the flexariums have tail problems, 4 out of the 6 have what looks like a black crispy tip to their tail. Looks like it has been burnt as it is hard and black.
I handled some a week ago and they were fine then so whatever it is has happened very quickly.
My first thought was a bad shed but the humidity is always above 50 percent, usually higher and i wouldn't expect most of them to all have it in the same place. The other thought i had was that it might be some sort of fungus as my other flexarium colony is fine and they have exactly the same set up, so could it be something that has spread in this one particular colony?
Anyone have any ideas?
I will post some photos if anyone needs to see.

Many thanks

[ukscott1972]

I haven't seen any fighting but i have seen a few of them nip each others tails. I wasn't sure if this was accidental, maybe confusing the tail for a worm or if they were actually being aggresive. From the pages i have looked at on the net it looks like the tail is definately necrotic caused by tail biting. Does anyone know what the outcome is, will it travel up the tail as some have mentioned and should the tail be removed?

[Xx_JoJo_xX]

Hi, welcome to the forum..
Sounds like they have been bitten, do you know what sexes they all are? Perhaps there is multiple males? That could be a cause of fighting..
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[ukscott1972]

Some of them are getting big enough to the point where i can probably sex them correctly, there is a couple of males in there. I know as a rule you are not supposed to house males together but i have not had any problems before while they are still juveniles. This one enclosure is the only problem. I have even housed 2 adult males together that i had from a very young age and they got along together fine, they would even sleep wrapped around each other during the day and never fought or nipped tails.
I will obviously need to seperate these now to prevent any more biting but unfortunately the damage is already done to some of the tails.