FBT's are not eating?

[heyjude2200]

During the last two weeks my 7 FBT's aren't interested in eating. Maybe a cricket or 2 here or there, but definitely not like their usual eating pattern. They seem pretty normal otherwise, maybe a little less active. Could it be due to the shorter days? Also, the water is a little cooler--it's about 68* F but is around 72* during the warmer months.

[heyjude2200]

Help me out here, folks! Another 2 days and they're still not eating. I even tried getting them some wax worms, which they usually go crazy for & they just ignored them. Are they sick? They all look OK, they're moving around, swimming, etc. Is it some kind of winter hibernation type thing or what?

[kroberts009]

Help me out here, folks! Another 2 days and they're still not eating. I even tried getting them some wax worms, which they usually go crazy for & they just ignored them. Are they sick? They all look OK, they're moving around, swimming, etc. Is it some kind of winter hibernation type thing or what?

im located down here in southern texas and about 3 weeks ago when the weather dropped, my firebellies really cut back on eating and their movement. i was afraid a husbandry switch i had made was killing them some how? now that i have put them in a new enclosure with a heater (they didnt have one before) set to 78 degrees (auto temp set to) they have picked back up in pace, and even compete for their crickets. they have begun trying to mate and we now have croacking (when we never did before).

since you said the enclosure has dropped in temperature, thats what im thinking... sort of like a hibernation type of scenario. you havent introduced any new FB's to your setup right? try warming things up for them a little, my bet is that they will pick back up in speed.. good luck! (heat lamp or something?)

[heyjude2200]

Thanks, Kristie. I'll try warming things up. I didn't think it was that because the apartment I lived in last winter was not as warm as this one & they didn't stop eating then.

Emandkel, I change out about 1/4 of the water every day or every other day. I have a filter & circulating pump running all the time and I take the whole thing apart & clean out every thing a couple times a year.

[kroberts009]

you dechlorinate the water right? but yeah i would DEFINITELY reccommend warming them up!

[heyjude2200]

Yes, I always dechlorinate. And I'm shopping online right now for a heater! Thanks for the suggestions.

[emandkel]

How long has it been since you did a water change? I don't know why they aren't eating, but if there is an issue with their water a water change should help.