Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted something similar elsewhere.

Nobody seems to be aware of Nekton supplements. They've been around for decades. I became familiar with them when I had birds. Every reputable breeder I met gave their animals Nekton supplements. They have for breeding, for enhancing color, in birds and reptiles.

It is manufactured in Germany. Expensive stuff, but by gawd it works! I have a fattie that is turning very bright orange. It seems to enhance the yellows and orange colors in reptiles. I tried it on my ghost snake but he is starting to look like Chee-tos, so he's off it.

It does not add color where there is none, but it does affect the yellows and oranges, I perceive. So, it won't touch genes, of course, but maybe someone else has tried it to enhance colors? I'm curious...
-----
Yes, you can revive lizards with CPR, and crickets DO NOT transmit pinworms to lizards
2.1.1. Amelanistic fatties
2.0.2. Het for amel fatties
1.0.1. Snow leo
1.0.1. Hypo, carrot tail leo
1.0.1. High yellow, carrot tail leo
1.1.0. Blue dart frog
1.?.?. Little red betta
1.1.0. Eastern/Ornate boxie hybrid
1.?.?. Red footer tortie
1.0.1. Grey tiger mutt cat
1.1.0. Ghost corn
2.2.0. My own hatchlings, 13 and 15
1.0.1. Not PMS, just an audacious, fearless heluva woman's personality!

That is interesting. Personally I have not heard of Nekon and I have been using Herptivite and Miner All as supplements ( Herptivite only once a week or so and Miner All every other feeding) in addition to gutloading crickets with fresh vegetables (Broccoli and Cabbage is good for Calcium, Carrots for Beta Carotene or vitamin A ). The breeding group of Fat Tailed Geckos I'm working with is genetically very high in bright orange (the females are from Albey's lineage). If I would use Nekton for them they would probably start looking like they are not for real. It probably would not hurt though to do an experiment with Nekton supplementation on one of them to see how it affects the color?

Rob Reiding.

I've heard of Nekton. I know of collard lizard breeders who use it and bearded dragons seem to respond to it also. I've never tried it myself but I have never heard a complaint about it and most comments are very positive.

My question is do you think it is ethical for a breeder to use such products (color enhancing) when so much of how much an animal is worth is based on its color? I know if I bought some super orange Leopards or Fat Tails and paid top dollar for them hoping to breed them into my lines I would be more than a little upset in a couple months when the color started to wash out. Just my 2 cents.

I think it would be unethical to sell the geckos without letting the buyer know that the color enhancer was being used.
-----
2.0 Leos
2.3.4 Fattails
0.0.1 redfoot tortoise
0.0.1 sulcatta tortoise
1.1 Dogs
0.1 cat

Nekton-Rep products have been around and in use by most breeders for decades. Yes it does enhance colors per specific formula used which is very strong vitamin & mineral mixtures. I am neutral on the ethics of using it but the results are well worth the price. My feelings are that use of it should be included along with husbandry regime of the animal you intend to buy. Bearded dragons, Leopard Geckos, Crested Geckos are but a few of the species these products are mostly used with, note there are to brands one for birds the other reptiles.

Haven't used it with any of my WC geckos but their offspring and new aquistions are receiving Nekton-Rep once a week. The vitamin/mineral supplementation works wonders on their health and behavoir also. The Nekton-E is great for reproductive purposes only.

www.nekton.de is the manufacturer website giving complete information on each Reptile product. Not just for color but many health issue proventions.