1 juvenile growing bigger than other

Question
QUESTION: Hi



Thank you for making yourself available to people like myself who have questions on reptiles. It is appreciated.



I own two juvenile three month old male and female bearded dragons. The female is 7 and a half inches long and the male is 9 but weighs more. I purchased them about 5 weeks ago. They are in a 40 gallon breeder tank with a 75 watt dome basking light 6-8 inches away from the highest branch and a repti-glo 5.0 florescent light that is 18 inches long. I ordered a T-rex 100 watt Mercury Vapor Bulb with a 10 inch fixture for them, which will take the place of the other lights. Both have their own decor' in the tank and get fed crickets separately 3x daily. I dust them at each feeding with calcium, herpavite, and another powered food source. I feed them the recommended greens mixed with moistened juvenile dragon food. They get sprayed 2x daily and bathed 3-4x weekly. I would really prefer to keep them in the same enclosure if possible. This is why I want to take all proper precautions in doing so. Separate decor, 90 gallon tank, separate feeding, and separate basking spots are examples of this. I realize that once maturity hits breeding will follow and if I have a big enough tank, I could divide it for the both of them.



I have been noticing that the male has been growing larger than the female. They bask together, seem to get along, sleep together at times, etc. I mentioned that I was going to put them both into a 90 gallon tank together. I was wondering if I should put the female in the large tank and leave the male in the 40 gallon breeder tank. I would decrease his feeding to 2x daily and hers still at 3x. When she grew larger I would put him in the 90 gallon with her. What do you suggest? Any information would be great.

Thank you so much for your time and help. I really appreciate any advice and information you have to offer me.

Have a great day!  

Answer
Hello Derek,
No problem, I love helping!  :-))
Ok, first question is if they are housed together, you have you work cut out for you since they are a male & female!  LOL  
They will start trying to mate around 6 months but that is way too young.  So I highly recommend if you are going to keep them in the same tank of a 90 gallon, start planning now.  Keeping a divider in there would be the best option after they get a bit older.  
I would feed them separately as he is most likely taking all of her food.  At least right now that way they would have the equal opportunity to eat enough each feeding.
Everything else sounds pretty good, the T-rex is excellent.  Will you use any other lighting?  You are going to keep the Reptiglo 5 tube as well, right?  That can add extra brightness to the tank, too.  That is probably plenty.  What are your temps right now?  You can cut back the dusting of calcium to once daily, 5 times per week.  The herptivite 2 times per week.  That is plenty.
Right now, I wouldn't cut back feeding for either one of them.  They are young & need their food.  That is great they are eating greens well, too.
That is up to you at the moment.  You could separate right now, if you would like to, but to house them permanently together without a divider is a little risky.  The male could overbreed her.  

Let me know how things are going.

Tracie