How to Care for an Egyptian Sandfish

Despite the misleading name, the Egyptian sandfish is not a fish, although it does originally hail from the deserts of Egypt. The sandfish is type of lizard, named for its ability to burrow through the sand as though it were swimming. It is a medium-sized skink that can grow to a total length of 7 or 8 inches and can live over 10 years. As a general rule, desert reptiles are not recommended for beginning herp collectors because they need their native habitat recreated as closely as possible, which requires research, time and money.

Things You'll Need

  • Proper enclosure
  • Heat lamp
  • UV lamp
  • Substrate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide the proper enclosure. A glass aquarium or terrarium tank works wonderfully for an Egyptian sandfish. The glass walls prevent heat loss, unlike popular mesh enclosures. When the sandfish is small you can house it in a 10-gallon tank, but as it grows it should eventually be upgraded to at least a 20-gallon tank. One of the most important features of any reptile enclosure is proper temperature gradation. Reptiles are cold blooded and need to rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature. Their habitat should include very warm or basking areas and cooler areas so they can move through it to adjust their internal temperature as needed. The sandfish's tank must be large enough to allow it to move freely and stay comfortable.

    • 2

      Lay the correct substrate along the bottom of your tank. Because of their love for burrowing through the sand, provide a deep substrate. Sand is commercially available at most pet stores that stock reptile equipment. Don't just use sand from your back yard, this can have parasites which can spread to your sandfish. Some reptile owners are concerned about lizards accidentally ingesting the sand while they are eating. This can lead to impaction and, in severe cases, death. If you notice your lizard eating a large amount of sand or your exotic vet expresses concern, fine beech chips are a possible substitute for sand. Any substrate should be at least 4 to 6 inches deep to allow for burrowing. If you have any cage decorations like a heavy water dish or hide cave, make sure your sandfish cannot accidentally burrow underneath it and become trapped by the weight.

    • 3

      Purchase heat and UV lamps to keep your skink healthy. Lighting and heat are crucial elements to the health of any reptile. Being native to the deserts of Egypt, the sandfish is well adapted to high temperatures and intense light. While full spectrum light is not required for their health, a UV light is recommended. In addition to the UV light, sandfish will also need a basking or heat lamp. Under-tank heaters and heating pads can burn your reptile so heating with lights is always safer. The basking temperature in the tank should be 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit with the rest of the enclosure between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. At night the temperature can dip to 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Prolonged exposure to lower temperatures can kill the sandfish.

    • 4

      Provide proper food and water for your new pet. The Egyptian sandfish does not eat every day. It should be fed 3 to 4 times each week, approximately 4 crickets per feeding depending on its appetite. Any crickets that haven't been eaten should be removed and reintroduced again later when the sandfish may be feeling more hungry. Some keepers have reported that their sandfish have a difficult time catching the fast moving crickets due to the shape of their mouths. Mealworms and waxworms are an excellent substitute. Your sandfish should always have water available although it may not drink very often. Some skinks have drowned in as little as 1 inch of water so it is important to leave a very shallow dish of water that the sandfish can climb out of easily if it falls in by accident.