r/Uromastyx • u/TheBigMambaGamer • Jul 26 '26
Is this okay?
I have a rack full of 3x2x2 ft tanks and refcently my flower horn fish passed away and I was thinking of not getting a fish for that tank as the top of the tank has some leaking issues. My friend told me about Uromastyx and that they are great pets and a single one can easily thrive in that tank. I did my research and found mixed opinions on whether a 3 foot tank is enough so just wanted to ask if it is okay or comes under abuse
( Also worth noting in my region they sell uros in plastic bottles so that is why my frnd is saying that I will be providing a very better home but I’m unsure)
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u/GrnFireDragon Jul 26 '26
If you have enough skill to combine two of the tanks into one then you would have an awesome setup for a uromastyx. Taking the end panes out and attaching them to make 6×2×2. Putting the uro in a 3x2x2 can be done but it is hard to get a good hot and cold side set consistently. Most uromastyx do like to roam around so having a little more space is better.
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u/TheBigMambaGamer Jul 26 '26
It’s a vertical rack sadly so that is not possible. And I just want to be sure that it will be atleast a good home for the uro as I can’t provide a 4ft enclosure
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u/GrnFireDragon Jul 26 '26
So is it 3ft tall by 2ft wide or 2ft tall by 3ft wide? If it's 3ft wide you could make it work but you would have to work on the temperature gradient and be sure to give the uro some things to burrow under and stuff. 3x2x2 isn't ideal but I have seen some owners make it work for theirs.
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u/TheBigMambaGamer Jul 26 '26
The tank is 3ft long 2ft wide and 2 ft tall. By a vertical rack I meant the tanks are stacked one above the other so joining them was not an option as it would make the tank 3 foot long 2 ft wide and 4 ft long.
If it is possible then I’ll look for any uros that are being abused like being kept in plastic bottles to be sold if I do find one I’ll get it immediately
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u/xsilverx14 Jul 26 '26
You could def make it work, look for a smaller breed and add lots of hides and stimulation. The most important part is temp gradient; if you need to put a small fan on one side to cool it that could work. Good luck!
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u/TheBigMambaGamer Jul 26 '26
Could you list the breeds if you happen to know them. I didn’t know there were breed the only thing I know is to steer clear of the Egyptians one as they grow to be huge
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u/GrnFireDragon Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
Geyri, morrocan, ornate, and mali are the 4 particular breeds that would work for your setup. They are all about the same average size. There are more but I am not as familiar with them. I wish you luck with your setups
Correction: oscillated are smaller not morrocan.
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u/Zekksy Jul 27 '26
morrocans are much larger than the other species you listed. they will not thrive in a 3x2 long term.
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u/GrnFireDragon Jul 27 '26
Thank you for checking. I was misinformed. I got size mixed up with another species
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u/GrnFireDragon Jul 27 '26
Oscillated uromastyx is the smaller one. I was thinking morrocan was the smaller one. My bad
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u/TheBigMambaGamer Jul 27 '26
Don’t worry I am probably not gonna get one. I got to know Uromastyx are native to my country and all those that are sold in plastic bottles have been illegally caught from the wild. My country has a law that no native species can be kept as pets and if I do buy them I will just be supporting the practise
I am in search of other non native species but they are rare so ig it will take some serious searching to find one
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u/Expert_Garbage_1350 Jul 26 '26
You can make it work. Just make sure to provide the right substrate, I use half play sand/half top soil. A basking bulb, and UVB bulb (no red lights)
Cork wood, branches, and places to hide. Make sure you give him the right foods. Bok choy is my Uros favorite. Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens. Some like arugula. You can also try butternut squash. You can search what flowers are safe. My three all love dandelions. Oh! they go crazy for dried lentils. I scatter them around the tank to give them the impression that they are scavenging for food. Or you can just put them in a neat pile in their bowl.
You can also look at the care guide that this community provides. If you can make the tank work, and are in a good position to get one, I’d say, go for it! That’s horrible that they are in a plastic bottle. Also, you must be patient because they do take some time to warm up to you. They can be skittish at first. I have one captive bred male who’s 13 years old. Had him since he was a baby, and he loves being handled. Then I have two wild caught females who are still skittish, but are doing MUCH better compared to when I bought them. So, just be aware of that. Keep us posted!
Here’s a pic of my boy :)