Day Gecko Care Mistakes to Avoid: Gold Dust Day Gecko Care Guide

Admin: Caitlin
Jun 22
2 min read

A few common mistakes could be silently ruining their health and shortening their lives.

These are some common care mistakes and how to avoid them, so you can help your little gecko thrive.

Native to Madagascar and surrounding islands, Gold Dust Day Geckos (Phelsuma laticauda) have vibrant green bodies, bright red markings, and the signature golden specks that give them their name.

Unlike most geckos, they’re diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day, so you’ll actually see moving around in the daylight.

They’re also relatively small, usually growing to about 5–6 inches and are often considered easier to care for than many larger lizards. But despite this, they have specific needs.

Mistakes:

1. Improper Enclosure Setup

Mistake: Using a tank that’s too small or dry, incorrect lighting, or no UVB.
Fix: Use a vertical glass terrarium at least 18x18x24 inches. Day geckos love height, not floor space.
Temperature Gradient:
- Basking spot: 85–90°F
- Ambient: 75–80°F
- Night: can drop to 72°F
Humidity: Keep it 60–80%, mist 2x daily, or use an automatic mister.
Lighting: Use 5.0 UVB lighting for calcium metabolism and overall health.
No UVB = risk of metabolic bone disease.

2. Diet Mistakes

Mistake: Feeding only fruit puree or skipping live insects.
Fix: They’re omnivores—feed a mix of:
- Live insects: gut-loaded crickets, small dubia roaches, and black soldier fly larvae
- Fruit-based gecko diet (like Pangea or Repashy)
- Occasional fruit (mango, papaya) in tiny amounts
Supplements: Dust insects with calcium + D3 (2–3x/week) and a multivitamin once a week.

3. Ignoring Signs of Illness

Mistake: Overlooking subtle health issues.
Warning signs:
- Lethargy or hiding all the time
- Shedding stuck on toes or tail
- Dull coloration or weight loss

Creating the Perfect Enclosure

Creating a home that mimics their natural environment is key to a happy gecko.

Size: Minimum 18x18x24, vertical space is crucial.
Substrate: Use a bioactive setup or substrate that holds humidity such as coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, and leaf litter.
Decor: Add cork bark, bamboo, suction-cup vines, and vertical climbing structures.
Live Plants: Use pothos, bromeliads, or dracaena because they help with humidity and give cover.
Hides: Even arboreal geckos need secure places to rest, add many leafy hides high in the tank.

A Day Gecko's Dietary Needs

Live Insects: Feed 2–3 times a week. Choose small prey (no wider than the space between their eyes).
Fruit Gecko Diet: Offer 2–3x per week (alternate with insect days).
Gut-loading: Feed feeder insects fresh greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes 24h before feeding to your gecko.

Understanding Health & Preventing Illness

Day geckos are delicate, but with the right care, they can live up to 10–15 years!

Common Health Issues: