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Product Review: Blue River Diets Crested Gecko Diet

Posted on by Mariah

ReptiFiles received free samples of Blue River Diets Crested Gecko Diet in exchange for an honest review, whether positive or negative. Although this article does contain affiliate links (read my stance on paid links here), the review below is my sincere, objective opinion.

six flavors of blue river diets crested gecko diet

When it comes to nutrition for pet lizards, the general advice is to stick to whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible: whole prey, whole insects, fresh produce, etc. There are trusted commercial diets in both powder-to-gel and pellet forms, and even sausages, but these are best used as supplements rather than the animal’s staple diet.

All of these “rules” however, get turned on their head when it comes to frugivorous (fruit-eating) lizards like crested geckos. Instead of preferring a whole food-based diet, any experienced keeper will recommend using a well-established commercial diet (typically referred to as ‘crested gecko diet’, or CGD), and strongly warn against using whole foods beyond “supplementing” with live insect prey. Why the double standard?

In his book on crested geckos, Philippe de Vosjoli states, “Crested geckos are opportunistic insect and fruit eaters. In the wild they may also feed on the nectar and pollen of certain flowers.” But in captivity, offering a diet of fruit and dusted insects doesn’t sustain them nearly as well. Some of the reasons for this may be that 1) the fruit we have in our grocery stores isn’t the same as what they’ve evolved to eat, and furthermore, it tends to be relatively high in sugar and low in nutrients. 2) Captive-raised feeder insects aren’t typically gutloaded as well as their wild counterparts. It’s also worth noting that research on crested geckos’ natural history is still limited, and our understanding of their dietary habits is particularly so.

Back when crested geckos first entered the pet trade, keepers made do with what they had, creating their own recipes of supplement-packed fruit-and-insect purees, but crested gecko keeping didn’t really take off until Allen Repashy invented crested gecko meal replacement powder as we know it today (the original “Crested Gecko Diet”), which made it easier to keep and breed these geckos. By removing the guesswork, there were fewer nutrient deficiencies and the geckos started enjoying longer lifespans.

Several brands have developed their own versions of crested gecko meal replacement powder since then. Some seem to just be looking to get their piece of a lucrative market, while others have been determined to refine the original concept for better gecko nutrition and wellbeing in captivity. The latest to step onstage is Blue River Diets.

Who is Blue River Diets?

blue river diets logo

Owned by Peregrine Livefoods and affiliated with many UK brands including ProRep, Blue River Diets is a newcomer to the reptile industry, but you might recognize them through their relationship with major pet influencer Emzotic. Blue River Diets is starting strong with a team that combines over 80 years of experience in reptile care, nutrition, and product development, as well as a large-scale crested gecko breeding operation for additional insight into the species’ needs. Their tagline is “crafted by nature, perfected by science.”

Blue River Diets supports domestic research on crested gecko nutrition, and they first caught my attention when they financed Thomas Marriott’s expedition to New Caledonia for Exotics Keeper magazine. Herping expeditions are so incredibly important for understanding our pets in the context that originally shaped them, rather than drawing conclusions based on the highly unnatural environment of captivity. I always love to see a product manufacturer willing to sponsor the research that we desperately need on reptile natural history (even when it’s relatively informal), and Thomas did a great job!  Photos and videos from the expedition can be viewed on Exotics Keeper’s Instagram, and you can access Exotics Keeper’s article summarizing the expedition’s findings in the May 2024 issue. (Side note: I highly recommend subscribing to this magazine for any reptile enthusiast!)

Blue River Diets is active on both Facebook and Instagram, and as of November 2024, their products are available for purchase in the UK, USA, and EU.

Sounds impressive, right? The proof is in the pudding — or in this case, gecko smoothie. Has Blue River Diets entered the market to make money off a popular pet reptile, or is their formula really here to elevate captive gecko welfare?

Product Specs

  • Manufactured in the UK
  • 70-72% dried fruit
  • Uses soy as primary protein source
  • No artificial colors or flavors
  • Guaranteed analysis varies by flavor
    • 18-22% crude protein
    • 4-7% crude fat
    • 6-8% fiber
    • 2-7% ash
  • Ca:P is 4:1 for fruit flavors, 6:1 for Fruit & Bug
  • 6 flavors: Fruit & Bug, Mango Madness, Peach Paradise, Pineapple Crush, Strawberry Swirl, Watermelon Burst (Dragon Fruit currently available as limited edition)
  • Powder-based diet to be mixed with water before serving
  • Uneaten smoothie should be discarded after 24 hours
  • Resealable pouch
  • Available in single 2oz pouches, sets of 10 for bulk, and 2kg bags
  • Auto-renewing subscriptions available for delivery every 1, 2, or 3 months with a 20% discount
  • $10.99 per 2oz pouch as of November 2024

Discussion

For the purposes of this review, I received samples of Pineapple Crush, Dragon Fruit, and Fruit & Bug.

Ingredients

Dragon Fruit (Limited Edition)

Pink Dragon Fruit Powder (35%), Soya Protein Isolate, Coconut (13%), Peach Powder (12.5%), Banana Powder (9%), Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Honey Powder, Bee Pollen, Additives.

Fruit & Bug

Banana Powder (34%), Mango Powder (15%), Black Soldier Fly Larvae Powder (15%), Soya Protein Isolate, Coconut (8%), Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Honey Powder, Bee Pollen, Magnesium Carbonate, Additives.

Mango Madness

Mango Powder (49%), Soya Protein Isolate, Coconut (13%), Banana Powder (5%), Strawberry Powder (5%), Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Honey Powder, Bee Pollen, Additives.

Peach Paradise

Mango Powder (27%), Peach Powder (20%), Soya Protein Isolate, Coconut (13%), Banana Powder (10%), Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Honey Powder, Bee Pollen, Magnesium Carbonate, Additives.

Pineapple Crush

Banana Powder (20%), Soya Protein Isolate, Pineapple Powder (19%), Mango Powder (19%), Coconut (13%), Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Honey Powder, Bee Pollen, Magnesium Carbonate, Additives.

Strawberry Swirl

Strawberry Powder (33%), Soya Protein Isolate, Banana Powder (15%), Coconut (13%), Blackcurrant Powder (5%), Mango Powder (5%), Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Honey Powder, Bee Pollen, Magnesium Carbonate, Additives.

Watermelon Burst

Watermelon Powder (21%), Banana Powder (20%), Soya Protein Isolate, Mango Powder (15%), Coconut (13%), Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Honey, Bee Pollen, Beetroot Powder, Magnesium Carbonate, Additives.

Additives:

  • Vitamin A (3a672a) 20,000 iu/kg
  • Vitamin D3 (3a671) 2,000 iu/kg
  • Vitamin E – all-rac alpha-tocopheryl acetate (3a700) 400 mg/kg
  • Choline chloride (3a890) 2,500mg/kg
  • Vitamin K3 (MNB) (3a711) 4 mg/kg
  • Vitamin B1 – thiamine mononitrate (3a821) 1 mg/kg
  • Vitamin B2 – riboflavin (3a825ii) mg/kg
  • Vitamin B5 – calcium-D-pantothenate (3a841) 10.2 mg/kg
  • Vitamin B6 – pyridoxine hydrochloride (3a831) 1 mg/kg
  • Vitamin B12 – cyanocobalamin 40,000 mcg/kg
  • Nicotinic acid (3a314) 15 mg/kg
  • Folic acid (3a316) 2 mg/kg
  • d-Biotin (3a880) 10,000 mcg/kg
  • Vitamin C (3a311) 300 mg/kg
  • Copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate (3b405) 40 mg/kg
  • Manganese Sulphate 96 mg/kg
  • Zinc oxide 3b603 108 mg/kg
  • Calcium iodate, anhydrous (3b202) 1.6 mg/kg
  • Sodium selenite (3b801) 5.55mg/kg
  • Iron sulphate (3b103) 333 mg/kg
  • Tyndallised lactobacillus helveticus (HA-122)
  • Natural fruit flavour

PERSONAL NOTES ON BLUE RIVER DIETS INGREDIENTS

Minimal ‘fluff’. There is a noteworthy lack of fillers, preservatives, emulsifiers, and artificial flavors. While the recipe does include a thickening agent (guar gum), preservative (potassium sorbate), and natural flavor, these are single instances, and can be considered normal and beneficial in context. More information on these can be found in the FAQs section.

On soy protein: The use of soy protein definitely raised an eyebrow for me, as it’s something I haven’t seen used before in a crested gecko diet. However, it should be noted that leading crested gecko diet brands use a variety of protein sources in their recipes: pea protein, whey protein, micellar casein, whole egg, mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, crickets, silkworms, dubia roaches, and even chicken broth — suffice to say that both protein isolates and whole food powders have been demonstrated to work long-term when included in a good recipe.

Personally? I favor insect protein, as it’s closest to the geckos’ natural diet and since it’s a whole food, fewer additives are needed to replace that aspect of their nutrition. Furthermore, insect protein-based diets tend to be advertised for picky eaters, as it seems that the bug-y taste can be more appealing.

Wide variety of vitamins and minerals in addition to what’s naturally present in the fruit ingredients. It would be nice to get a full analysis of how much of each is present in the formula as a whole, rather than just seeing a list of what’s been added, as the whole food ingredients add significantly to the nutrient profile. 13 vitamins are present (vitamins A, C, D, E, K and B1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12), with eight minerals (calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, selenium, iron).

Bee pollen included. Bee pollen is a nutritional powerhouse that is sometimes referred to as “nature’s multivitamin” because it’s a natural source of a variety of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients (Thakur & Nanda, 2020). Most significantly, bee pollen is likely to be present in significant quantities in crested geckos’ natural diet from the ingestion of flowers and certain insects, so I prefer to see it as CGD ingredient before added (artificial) supplements.

Choline included. Choline is a nutrient essential to healthy metabolism, cellular health, and neurological health (NIH Fact Sheet for Health Professionals — Choline). Most significant sources of choline noted for humans are not part of a crested gecko’s natural diet (meat, dairy products, eggs, cruciferous vegetables, beans, grains, legumes), but insects also contain choline (Finke, 2015), which means that crested geckos are likely to need this nutrient.

Probiotic included. To be more correct, the type of “probiotic” in Blue River Diets (tyndallised lactobacillus helveticus) is a postbiotic, and you can find details on this in the FAQs section later in this review. Whatever you want to call them, beneficial bacteria are important to maintaining a healthy gut biome in reptiles. Science is just beginning to understand the extent of the influence that gut bacteria have on their host’s health, but so far a healthy gut biome has been strongly correlated with good health in general. In regard to reptiles specifically, a good gut biome is likely to improve digestion, reduce symptoms of stress, support immune function, and even keep parasites in check.

Guaranteed Analysis

What is a guaranteed analysis? Guaranteed analysis is a bit like a simplified Nutrition Facts list for pet food, but its main function is to listing the minimum and/or maximum percentage of nutrients present in the food. Although the word “crude” is often used for the nutrients, this is just a reference to the way the nutrients are calculated, not a statement on their quality.

Crude Protein refers to the amount of protein present in a food (including amino acids, since they are the building blocks of proteins). Amino acids are essential to animal growth and maintenance, but too much protein can contribute to health problems like gout, particularly in dehydrated animals or those with otherwise compromised kidneys.

Crude Fat refers to the amount of lipids present in a food. Lipids are energy-dense (high calorie), which means they’re a valuable source of energy for animals, and are an essential part of a healthy diet. However, like many things, too much can be just as bad as too little, and eating too many high-fat foods can cause health problems.

Crude Fiber refers to the amount of soluble fiber in a food. Different reptiles have differing needs for fiber in their diet (for example, tortoises need a very high fiber diet), and fiber can come from both plant and animal sources. It’s not known how much fiber crested geckos need to be healthy, but we do know that, generally speaking, fiber plays important roles in digestion, microbiome health, hydration, and helping to prevent overeating by increasing satiety.

Crude Ash refers to the amount of minerals in a food. Like vitamins, minerals (ex: calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, etc.) are essential to the health and proper function of an animal’s system. However, like protein, ‘crude ash’ is a cumulative term and requires separate analysis to determine which specific minerals are present and how much of each.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS OF BLUE RIVER DIETS BY FLAVOR:

  • Dragon Fruit: Crude Protein 18.2%, Crude Oils & Fats 4%, Crude Fibres 6.5%, Crude Ash 7%
  • Fruit & Bug: Crude Protein 22%, Crude Oils & Fats 7%, Crude Fibres 8%, Crude Ash 4%
  • Mango Madness: Crude Protein 19%, Crude Oils & Fats 4%, Crude Fibres 8%, Crude Ash 2%
  • Peach Paradise: Crude Protein 19%, Crude Oils & Fats 4%, Crude Fibres 8%, Crude Ash 2%
  • Pineapple Crush: Crude Protein 19%, Crude Oils & Fats 4%, Crude Fibres 8%, Crude Ash 2%
  • Strawberry Swirl: Crude Protein 19%, Crude Oils & Fats 4%, Crude Fibres 8%, Crude Ash 2%
  • Watermelon Burst: Crude Protein 19%, Crude Oils & Fats 4%, Crude Fibres 8%, Crude Ash 2%

Compared to the average guaranteed analysis of 4 leading brands of crested gecko diet, Blue River Diets is the lowest in protein, lowest in fat, middle in fiber, and lowest in ash.

**It is worth noting that guaranteed analysis is on an *as fed* basis, rather than dry matter, so the amount of water in the prepared formula affects nutrient concentration. The amount of water in the prepared diet can vary between brands, but BRD recommends 2 parts water to 1 part powder, which is the same as three of the four brands I used for comparison (the remainder recommends a 1:1 ratio), so the comparison remains fairly viable.

blue river diets guaranteed analysis compared to leading cgd brands

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Low values in protein and fat mean that crested geckos fed exclusively on Blue River Diets may experience slower growth than those fed exclusively on a CGD with higher values. There is enough fiber present to support healthy digestion and discourage overeating. By itself, the low mineral content can be concerning, as captive reptiles tend to already struggle with getting enough minerals, but if the minerals are in a higher-quality form that is easily absorbed, this is less of an issue.

Blue River Diets’ UK website directly addresses the low fat content of their formula: “In captivity…crested geckos are often provided with regular, calorie-dense meals without the need to expend much energy. Additionally, lack of space and insufficient exercise in enclosures contribute to the buildup of fat…” In other words, because fat is a highly energy-dense macronutrient (9 calories per gram, as opposed to protein and carbohydrates, which provide 4 calories per gram), controlling the amount of fat in the formula controls its caloric content. Geckos fed on this low-calorie, high-fiber diet are likely to be less susceptible to obesity, even with a sedentary lifestyle, for this reason.

THAT SAID, something worth noting here is that Blue River Diets strongly recommends feeding dusted and gutloaded live insects in addition to their crested gecko diet, which naturally boosts the amount of protein, fat, and minerals that a gecko is getting. In other words, young crested geckos that get insect prey on a regular basis are likely to grow just as fast (if not faster) than those fed on a diet with higher values, but no insect prey.

Preparation

The preparation instructions from Blue River Diets are as follows:

“Mix 2 parts water to 1 part formula and stir. More water can be added to achieve the desired consistency. Remove any uneaten food after 24 hours. Mixed food can be refrigerated in a sealed container and disposed of after 7 days.

“Although Blue River Diets offer a complete formula, we recommend offering live insects regularly.

“Store sealed pouch in a cool, dry place.

“Not for Human Consumption.”

Blue River Diets crested gecko diet has a very light, fluffy texture compared to other brands I’ve used (I imagine this has something to do with the soy protein). It results in a quite thick smoothie as soon as you add water, and seems to need more water to achieve the right consistency than most. It can take a bit more mixing than usual, as it can be lumpy, but if you add the water a little bit at a time rather than in one go, the texture turns out very pleasantly smooth. For best results, I recommend mixing this formula in a separate container, and then pouring the smoothie into your gecko cup(s) rather than using the cups themselves for mixing. For small batches I find that a shot glass or small measuring cup works quite well!

Something you might be surprised by with Blue River Diets is that each of their pouches contains a silica gel packet. This isn’t common practice with most CGDs in the USA, but it’s common practice with a variety of powdered foods, including beverages and supplements. Silica gel packets help maintain optimal humidity inside the packaging, keeping the powder loose and clump-free and extending its shelf life. The packets themselves aren’t harmful, and are quite durable, but if you happen to come across one that has torn open, throw the food away.

Feeding Tests

I didn’t taste the diets myself. Maybe there are some people out there who wouldn’t bat an eyelash at taking a lick of CGD, but scent is enough for me, thanks. The only way I can see myself maybe taking a taste would be if Clint’s Reptile Room did a filmed competition/activity as part of their next anniversary event.

What does it smell like, then? Pineapple Crush has a strong pineapple aroma, like opening a bag of freeze-dried pineapple bits (one of my favorite snacks). Fruit & Bug and Dragon Fruit also have a pleasantly fruity aroma.

For the purposes of this review, the “test subjects” were my 8 y/o male crested gecko, Alphonse, and an established colony of mourning geckos. Each of these reptiles enjoys a varied diet and are accustomed to receiving foods from various brands in various flavors.

I used Pineapple Crush for the introduction. Despite being familiar with pineapple-flavored CGD, the new food got a mixed reception – the mourning geckos ate noticeable portions, but Alphonse only had a lick or two. When offered later, Dragon Fruit got a similar response.

Fruit & Bug didn’t receive such a warm reception initially, as it seemed to go largely untouched, but eventually everyone came around. Alphonse is a notoriously light eater even with more familiar foods, so I was happy to see a significant dent in the bowl in the morning.

It should be noted that it’s normal for reptiles to treat new scents and new flavors with skepticism, and it can take time for them to accept a new food. Of course, every reptile is an individual, with individual tastes and preferences, and sometimes they’re just not a fan of a certain flavor or brand formula.

Summary

Things I Liked About Blue River Diets Crested Gecko Diet

  • Well tested. Blue River Diets was developed and tested on a large breeding collection of crested geckos, and most recently it was exclusively used for a year with Emzotic’s smaller breeding operation. Emzotic reports: “Breeding males recovered healthy body weight post-breeding, and females displayed healthy calcium reserves and stable egg production.”
  • Meets UK pet diet standards. This is an extensive set of standards developed to help ensure the safety and quality of foods manufactured for pets. This speaks volumes for the quality of Blue River Diets, especially compared to crested gecko diets manufactured in the USA, where standards for pet foods (and especially reptile diets) are rather loose. A quick overview of these standards can be viewed here.
  • Very informative website. Blue River Diets has the most informative website I’ve seen for a reptile diet, and they’re ahead of the curve in terms of reptile products in general.
  • Exceptional transparency! Getting detailed info about pet foods can be like pulling teeth, but not with Blue River Diets. I appreciate the depth of transparency with the ingredients and additives lists — you can even see exactly what forms of the additives are being used and in what quantities! If you want more details than this review provides, read the “Our Formulation” page of the site.
  • Expiration date printed on back. This is a thoughtful and useful touch that I wish came with all reptile foods and supplements. Of course, it’s unlikely that a single pouch will last until its expiration date unless you buy a bulk bag and only have one or two geckos.
  • Wide variety of flavors. Blue River Diets currently offers their formula in seven flavors, making it easy to provide sensory enrichment to your gecko in the form of novel tastes. In addition, their strawberry and peach flavors are particularly worthy of note, as these are not flavors offered by other brands. This makes them a very compatible part of a rotation involving multiple brands.
  • High Ca:P ratio. With a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 4:1 for the fruit flavors and 6:1 for Fruit & Bug, both well exceed the general rule of 2-2.5:1 for reptiles.  This is likely to be especially beneficial for egg-laying female geckos. The low phosphorus content is a little concerning, as phosphorus is an important mineral, but when the diet is fed alongside a regular supply of insect feeders (naturally high in phosphorus), there should be no problems.
  • Includes a postbiotic. This is a great way to support gecko health holistically while also maximizing the food’s shelf life. As great as probiotics are, not all probiotic supplements are actually effective, and using a postbiotic instead is a way to get around that potential complication.
  • Contains bee pollen. Bee pollen is a great source of many substances that support good health in reptiles, particularly for species where bee pollen is present in their natural diet. Including bee pollen in the formula makes it that much closer to what crested geckos evolved to thrive on.

Things I Didn’t Like About Blue River Diets Crested Gecko Diet

  • Doesn’t use insects as primary source of protein. With the exception of the Fruit & Bugs formula (which contains black soldier fly larvae), Blue River Diets uses soy protein in their default recipe. This distances the formula from its naturalistic intentions, which is a surprising move from a brand with so much interest in crested gecko natural history. Furthermore, stripped-down protein isolates are lacking in additional nutrients and require more additives to make up the difference, whereas whole insect protein sources are naturally a more nutritionally-dense ingredient. 
  • Site claims that animal protein can lead to obesity if overconsumed. This misleading statement is found on Blue River Diet’s “Our Formulation” page, under the section on their choice of soya protein (quote: “without using animal proteins, which may lead to obesity if overconsumed.”). Statements like this can lead reptile owners to believe that plant-based sources of protein are better/”safer” than the animal’s natural diet. This is not true, as obesity is caused by a gecko eating more food than its body needs. This can occur via the excess consumption of vertebrate prey, invertebrate prey, too much CGD, and/or too small of an enclosure.
  • No listed Ca:P ratio. I had to reach out to Blue River Diets directly for this information; this should be printed on the food pouches or at least listed on the website.

FAQs

Blue River Diets claims their crested gecko food can be used as a cricket gutload – is this true?

With a protein composition of 18-19%, plant-based recipe, and plenty of calcium and other vitamins/minerals, Blue River Diets should be safe and effective to use for gutloading crickets 2-3 days before consumption. It’s a little too high in protein for me to comfortably recommend its use for gutloading roaches, however.

Why soy protein?

As mentioned earlier in this review, many different sources of protein have been successfully used in CGD formulas, both isolates and whole foods, so although soy protein is novel, it’s likely to still serve its purpose as an ingredient. According to Blue River Diets’ website, they chose soy protein as the default protein source for the following reasons:

  • Complete protein (contains all 9 essential amino acids)
  • Highly concentrated form of protein makes it an efficient ingredient
  • Low-fat
  • Easy to digest
  • Supports muscle maintenance and growth
  • Low environmental impact
  • Neutral flavor

What is Tyndallised Lactobacillus Helveticus?

Tyndallised lactobacillus helveticus (referred to from here on as TLH) is a postbiotic, which is essentially a more efficient form of probiotic. As explained by Blue River Diets on their FAQs page: “Unlike probiotics (live bacteria) and prebiotics (food for those bacteria), postbiotics are the metabolic byproducts of probiotic activity.” In other words, a postbiotic delivers the benefits of probiotics without worrying about whether supplementary probiotics are getting damaged in storage or destroyed by stomach acid. Furthermore, probiotics bypass an occasional side effect of probiotic supplementation, which is digestive imbalance or bacterial overgrowth, making them especially well-suited to sick animals or those with sensitive systems.

Because postbiotics are what get produced by probiotics, they offer many of the same benefits as a probiotic supplement, including:

  • Supporting a healthy immune system
  • Suppression of pathogens
  • Better digestive health and function
  • Increased nutrient absorption
  • Healthier skin and better sheds
  • Increased resilience to stress

Is the presence of preservatives (potassium sorbate) in the recipe worth concern?

As with human food, it’s ideal to avoid preservatives and eat fresh. But the fact of the matter is that common practice among gecko keepers is to leave the food in the enclosure for 24+ hours, which means that some kind of preservative is needed to help prevent this practice from causing food poisoning. Using a preservative also helps preserve the nutritional content and taste of the formula over time.

Blue River Diets chose potassium sorbate for the job, which is a derivative of sorbic acid, a naturally-occurring compound found in some fruits. Even when synthetically produced, it’s still considered a “nature-identical” compound, as well as completely non-toxic and effective at low concentrations. For these reasons, potassium sorbate is often the preservative of choice for natural and organic products.

Why is coconut in the recipe?

Because most of Blue River Diets’ recipes use a protein isolate (soy protein) instead of whole insects or egg, a source of fat is needed in order to complete the nutritional profile. Coconut was chosen as a source of a type of easily-metabolized and “healthy” fat called medium chain triglycerides.

What’s a sweetener (honey) doing in the recipe?

Honey is commonly used in crested gecko diets for improving a formula’s palatability, as dried fruit tends to not be very sweet, especially when compared to the rotting fruit that wild geckos tend to eat. This added sugar may seem like a red flag/shortcut, especially considering that it’s currently trendy in human diet culture to avoid sugar as much as possible, but if you consider crested geckos’ natural diet, the sugar in honey may not only be beneficial, but necessary.

Why is guar gum in the recipe?

Guar gum is a thickening agent, which makes Blue River Diets easier for the geckos to eat. All leading CGDs on the current market use at least one type of thickener in their recipe for this reason. Guar gum is an extract of the guar bean, making it naturally-derived, and high in beneficial soluble fiber.

Why use natural flavors rather than letting the ingredients speak for themselves?

As with honey, including natural flavor in a CGD formula increases palatability in a relatively harmless way, as there’s no point in formulating a highly-nutritious meal replacement powder if the animal won’t eat it. (If you take food-based dietary supplements like protein powder, you know EXACTLY why this is important.)

Natural flavors are essentially extracts of the aromatic and/or flavorful compounds found in plants and animals, so they’re naturally-derived and generally considered to be harmless (ex: essential oils). Artificial flavors, on the other hand, are lab-made approximates of natural flavors, often derived from petroleum and other inedibles (ex: vanillin).

What is the shelf life of a pouch of Blue River Diets?

Blue River Diets pouches are fresh for up to 18 months as long as they remain unopened. Store in a cool, dark place (like a pantry) for best results.

How long can you leave prepared Blue River Diets food in a gecko enclosure?

A bowl of Blue River Diets gecko smoothie should not be left out for longer than 24 hours. At this point the bowl should be removed, and, depending on how often your gecko needs to be fed, replaced.

How long does prepared Blue River Diets food last in the fridge?

Blue River Diets gecko smoothie can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Should Blue River Diets only be used with crested geckos?

Nope! Although Blue River Diets CGD was designed with crested geckos in mind, like most CGD formulas, it can be used with other New Caledonian geckos and select other gecko species known to eat fruit:

  • Gargoyle geckos (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)
  • Chahoua geckos (Mniarogekko chahoua)
  • Leachie geckos (Rhacodactylus leachianus)
  • Chameleon geckos (Eurydactylodes spp.)
  • Mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris)
  • Day geckos (Phelsuma spp.)

Please note that while crested gecko diet may be an appropriate part of the diet for some of the above species, it may not be able to fulfill all of their nutritional requirements. Offer Blue River Diets or other CGD as is appropriate to the species.

Can Blue River Diets be used as an exclusive gecko diet, without live insects?

Technically yes, but it’s not best practice (nor is this encouraged by Blue River Diets).

According to Blue River Diets’ testing, their crested gecko diet is nutritionally complete enough that a crested gecko can be raised exclusively on their formulas without significant negative consequences. That said, young crested geckos are likely to grow slower without insect prey as a regular part of their diet, and fully-grown geckos benefit from the exercise and mental stimulation that hunting and eating insect prey provides. In other words, dusted live insects are important to a crested gecko’s nutrition, but they’re also an important enrichment activity.

Can Blue River Diets be used for egg-laying female crested geckos?

Yes, Blue River Diets’ CGD has been successfully used in supporting the additional nutritional needs of female crested geckos being used for breeding. Blue River Diets’ particularly high calcium content is especially beneficial for gravid females and those recovering from egg-laying. For best results, offer dusted, gutloaded insect prey as part of the gecko’s diet.

Conclusion: A high-quality new diet for crested geckos — but only if they like to eat bugs

ReptiFiles Rating: 4.5 stars

Blue River Diets crested gecko diet is a high-quality formulation with unparalleled transparency and a commendable commitment to better nutrition for pet reptiles. I’m also a big fan of the brand’s support of original research for an under-researched species. Based on their formulation and testing, Blue River Diets is likely to make a safe addition to your gecko’s rotation, and is one of the only brands of crested gecko diet designed to be compatible with insect prey as a regular (not just occasional) part of the gecko’s nutrition. The high calcium content is particularly noteworthy as a diet for egg-laying females. However, they favor protein and fat isolates in their recipe instead of whole insects, which requires more additives to make up the difference, as well as makes the formula less naturalistic. The resulting guaranteed analysis is relatively lean. Despite this, a ReptiFiles Rating of 4.5 stars has been awarded to Blue River Diets for the way it promotes a more naturalistic approach to crested gecko nutrition that integrates live insect prey.

ReptiFiles’ advice for using Blue River Diets crested gecko diet:

When using Blue River Diets, calcium-dusted insect prey should be offered as follows:

  • Juveniles (0-12 months old): CGD daily, insects 2-3x/weekly
  • Adults (>12 months old): CGD every 2-3 days, insects 1-2x/weekly

This recommendation can be adjusted according to your gecko’s body condition. All feeder insects should be previously gutloaded on a reputable insect gutloading formula for at least 2 days prior to offering.

If you have a gecko that doesn’t care for feeder insects (or you don’t/can’t use feeder insects for a particular reason), I don’t recommend using Blue River Diets as the exclusive source of nutrition for your pet. While it can be used as part of a rotation with other brands (particularly their Fruit & Bug flavor), I recommend sticking to diets that have a higher amount of protein, fat, and ash in their guaranteed analysis, and preferably get most of their protein from insects.

If you have a gecko that is overweight, switching to Blue River Diets can help it slim down due to the low caloric density – in other words, the same amount of CGD provides fewer calories without necessarily compromising your gecko’s feeling of fullness. That said, instead of feeding your gecko a diet formula because it’s in a small enclosure and doesn’t get much exercise, ReptiFiles recommends increasing the size of the enclosure and routine handling. This encourages not just a leaner gecko, but better muscle tone, which in turn promotes a healthier metabolism and allows for a more enriching environment. (ReptiFiles recommends housing crested geckos in no smaller than an 18”L x 18”W x 36”H enclosure or equivalent volume — see my care manual for details.)

Tips for Success

  • Use a rotation of at least 3 flavors for sensory enrichment. (Personally I get antsy if I don’t have at least 6 on hand!)
  • Mix in a separate cup (shot glasses work really well) before portioning into a gecko cup.
  • Use biodegradable paper gecko cups so you can just toss old diet out rather than battling stuck-on old CGD in a reusable plastic or silicone cup.
  • Old gecko diet can be recycled as a food source/treat for feeder insects and CUC!

References

Choline – Health Professional Fact Sheet. (2022, June 2). Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS); National Institutes of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/

Emma Lock [@emzotic]. (2024, October 30). As a gecko breeder and keeper, I prioritize my reptiles health. Here’s a brief look at my experience with @blue_river_diets [Video]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DBwj_tTxuZY/

Finke, M. D. (2015). Complete nutrient content of four species of commercially available feeder insects fed enhanced diets during growth. Zoo Biology, 6, 554–564. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21246

Thakur, M., & Nanda, V. (2020). Composition and functionality of bee pollen: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 82–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2020.02.001

de Vosjoli, P. (2005). Crested Geckos (p. 61). Advanced Vivarium Systems.

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