Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Rizlah · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:08 am Post subject: Red Acanthurus

I have a trio of red acanthurus (i think 1 male and 2 females), problem is recently they have all started attacking each other, biting each others faces, sides and legs twisting like crocodiles do when attacking, like the death roll. These animals have not been brought up together and the two females are only just reaching maturity.

I have not sexed these animals as they are very difficult to do so and I don't know how to.

My question is, is this normal breeding behavior? or could i have a trio of males or some other combination, perhaps 3 females?

Any advice very welcome.
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Scott W · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:13 am Post subject:

just curious, where did you get the Red ackies from? As far as I know the ONLY TRUE red ackies in the UK were from ones imported.
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Scott W · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:17 am Post subject:

I always rear my monitors in groups and this has so far stopped any form of aggression between them (except in V.storri which are just plain evil to each other).

You may find it quite difficult to get them established as a group now. All I can suggest is keep the viv filled with visual barriers, loads of cork tubes etc and places for them all to hide and make sure they all have access to a basking site. Use the stacking platform as that allows more than one to get good heat without them seeing each other.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

Rizlah · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

Rizlah · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:11 am Post subject:

Scott W · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:22 am Post subject:

looking good! although I'd move that mass of branches etc to the end under the heat source. You would be amazed just how hot they like to bask.

They just look like V.a.brachyrus which are the more common 'yellow' ackie. Still great lizards and very entertaining.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

master pt · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:31 am Post subject:

don`t forget to put in plenty of food to them.

In my collection and specially with young animals lots of food have allways stopt the fighting, seems like the only time they fight is when resources are low or when a hierarchy are to be set, and those two things comes hand in hand...

Btw those look like yellows.
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Good luck Wink

Rizlah · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:32 am Post subject:

Since taking that picture I have put a reflector on the ceramic and it can get as hot as 150 sometimes, i do try to keep it about 120 - 130 but there is the odd occasion when it gets as high as 150 for some reason, think it just takes time for the thermostat sensor are to reach it's temp.

They were sold to me as red ackies, but I'll be honest i don't care too much what they are, i love them just the same, looking forward to being able to breed them if they ever stop trying to rip each others limbs off, I've already had one with a dislocated leg which is thankfully now all fixed.

Do you think they will ever group up? how long should i give them before splitting them up.

Funny thing is they are only just starting to fight, and have been together now for more than 2 months.
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Rizlah · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:33 am Post subject:

Rizlah · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:02 am Post subject:

here are some better pics of them, perhaps you will be able to tell better if they are actually red or yellows although i suspect you are probably right in saying they are yellows.
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