Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey there folks,

I posted on here some months ago asking the best way to keep bassies. I'm about to go to a breeders meeting soon and I may just bring back either a 15 month old male or some babies. I'd like your advice on which to go for.

I'm really only looking to get a single male, otherwise I'd go for a male and 2 females. I like the idea of getting the single 15 month old male as then I know the sex for definite and shouldn't need any more females to house with him (am I right in thinking that would be OK?) but I quite like the idea of raising a baby or babies as I'll have a better chance of getting those a little tamer I think. I know most stay pretty skittish but I have seen some who will sit on your hand or arm so long as they aren't restrained and it would be nice to have one like that. However as I can't sex the babies how could I be sure of getting either a single male or a 1.2 trio? Is there any way to make an educated guess on whats male and female? Are male babies generally bigger? I would hate to end up with an extra male or have to rehome one of them. Wouldn't be too disappointed with all female but would love a big male. So whhat would you guys go for? The older male or a group of babies?

Also, do baby bassies do better in groups or in a single enclosure each? What size enclosure would a baby or babies need? Should they be kept on newpaper when they're young like beardies or fed in a separate tank?

Sorry for all the questions but I want to make sure I get it right.

Very short, since my meeting starts right now: I raise Bassie babies in groups, since they tend to be quite social for their first months. Sometimes Ihave to remove very dominantspecimens, but thats an exception. I use naturally furnished tanks for raising.
Only the first days till the belly is completely closed, I recommend to keep them on papaer towels.
Sexing is quite reliable if you are experienced and the bassies are approx 3-4 months old. With magnifying lens you see the "plume" of the males, i.e. the front crest on the head, emerging like a knob between the eyes. In females there is a knob as well, but ists moreelongated and does not pint up.

Hope that helps ...in a Hurry

Ingo

Look at all the cute little babies! Thanks for the advice on sexing, I think the ones I'd be getting will be around that age so should I get a trio or would a single male be past the social stage and be able to be housed alone?

You can kkep bassies as singles at any age.
But to my experience, especially males are way more gentle as adults and do not tend to rape females if they are not raised without contact to their own kind.

Ci@o

Ingo

So are the males more gentler to handle when they are raised with females from babies as well? Thanks so much for your advice so far.