iHerp Answers: Is it safe to keep two leopard geckos in the same 20 gallon tank?

iHerp Answers!

Problem?

Search Create an Account, It's Free!

Home > iHerp Answers > Is it safe to keep two leopard geckos in the same 20 gallon tank?

Is it safe to keep two leopard geckos in the same 20 gallon tank?

Posted By:

crestogecko42

Is it safe to keep two leopard geckos in the same 20 gallon tank?


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Caging , Caging Plans
Tags:	Behavior, Caging, Cohabitation, Compatibility, General
Species:	Lizards > Geckos > Eublepharis macularius
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Assisted Answer

5/9/2009 10:57:22 PM

Saille

Well, it depends. Have both geckos been quarantined and proven healthy? Are they the same size/weight? Are they sexed? If they're both females about the same size and have been quarantined/proven healthy and/or have co-existed together before in something smaller than yes, its probably safe to do so as long as there are many hides and plenty of food. And if both girls, you won't have to worry about loads of eggs to incubate and hatch.
Are you trying to breed?
This is a very open ended question, so perhaps a more specific hypothetical situation could be explained?

Member Comment

5/10/2009 6:24:03 PM

Jessie and Randy

if your not sure if they have been quarntined then its best to keep them in seperate tanks for 3 months for the quarantine. its smarter to keep the tanks a condsiderable distance aprox 10 feet away from eachother for the prevention of airborn diseases. when you do put them together make sure they close to the same size you dont want to put an adult size in with a young gecco. but the quarintine is most important because you could risk loosing both if there is a a disease introduced to one another.

Member Comment

5/10/2009 11:06:21 PM

geckoJohn

NEVER put two male leopard geckos in the same tank..( except hatchlings )

Member Comment

5/11/2009 11:14:45 AM

Krestie Kate

If its a 20long and both geckos have been quarenteened like said about then yes but I wouldnt keep two geckos in a regular 20 gallon. Also like said only two females.

Member Comment

5/11/2009 11:16:35 PM

ImBooBy

As everyone already said, similar sized females can be paired up. But ofcourse there can be bullying issues. As for male and female pairing. I wouldnt suggest a 1.1 pairing. A male will overstress a female causing her to not eat. His constant attempt to breed can be too much for her. But goodluck with that.

Assisted Answer

5/12/2009 9:27:37 AM

JohnJohn

A 20 gallon is certainly big enough for a pair. Just be sure to have multiple hides. Bob is right that breeding can take a lot out of the girls. I used to keep some pairs together year round, but I now keep the males separated. Some people do keep pairs together all the time though. Breeding takes a lot out of the girls whether they are always paired or not though. If you have a sexual pair then you will need to be prepared eventually for a gravid girl and eggs. It's amazing how a female can continuously lay clutches over and over throughout the summer even with just a few times breeding in the spring.

Member Comment

5/12/2009 4:57:56 PM

ImBooBy

John is right, but for year around pairing, I keep my leos in groups of 1.3 This will prevent the male from constantly targeting one female. For a 1.3 group, I use a 32 qt tub in a rack. This is enough room for about 4 hides, and one large laying box, and other needed decors. As for laying times, Females seem to know when to day if you can set temps right. All my females seem to ovulate around end of February. Its as if they have an internal clockwork. And yes I have had females lay as late as October. The secret is grouping is plenty of hides and food.

Member Comment

6/17/2009 5:24:06 PM

jambalaya

I think a 20 gallon is good enough for one. Thats how I have mine. As for putting them together. I would not advise putting two males or two females together due to fighting. And would also warn against putting two of the opposite sex if you don't want to breed them. So basically, neither. They are pretty solitary. And yes quarantining should be at the top of the list, first, always.

Accepted Answer

6/26/2009 6:30:27 PM

Blaise and Echo

You can keep two females together, or a male and a female together (if they are old enough to prevent egg binding, and you don't mind any eggs), but never two males. And, as was said before, you should quarantine for safety reasons. You should provide at least one hide of each kind (dry and moist) per gecko so no one has to share too much space and food. Provide enough food, shelter, and space and everyone will be happy.

Member Comment

1/17/2011 6:02:28 AM

abi21491

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

Recommended Action: Points awarded

An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion.

Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.

You are not logged in. If you would like to participate (it's free!), you must log in, or Become a Member!