Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus)

Short answers

Fiji banded iguana: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×80×120 cm for one adult animal; a pair from 200×80×120 cm.

Fiji banded iguana: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 20–22 °C (not permanently below 15 °C).

Fiji banded iguana: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB essential (an arboreal sun species, Ferguson zone 2–3).

Fiji banded iguana: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–25 years.

Fiji banded iguana: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C (not permanently below 15 °C)

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

60–80 % by day, 75–95 % at night

UVB

UVB essential (an arboreal sun species, Ferguson zone 2–3)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×80×120 cm for one adult animal; a pair from 200×80×120 cm

Substrate

A dry to slightly damp quartz sand and soil mix (10–15 cm); no peat (risk of mould)

Feeding

Food

Mostly plant-based (leaves, flowers, herbs, a little fruit), supplemented with insects (crickets, locusts)

Feeding interval

green food 6–7×/week (optionally one fasting day), insects 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

60–75 cm total length including the tail (SVL 15–20 cm)

Life expectancy

10–25 years

Origin

The Fiji Islands (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu), Tonga

Protection status

CITES Appendix I / EU Regulation Annex A – strictly protected. Proof of origin (a CITES or EC certificate) plus commercial-use and registration duties with the authority. Only documented EU captive-bred animals are legal

Brumation

No real winter rest; a slight seasonal drop in temperature is possible

Cohabitation

Housed singly or, where established, in pairs (1.1); males are extremely territorial and must never be kept together, and can sometimes be aggressive even towards their own female - sight barriers and retreats are essential.

Notes

Strictly protected, very rare, and for specialists only. Arboreal → a tall terrarium with rough branches. CITES and authority paperwork is essential; without documentation it is illegal.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Anegada ground iguana (Cyclura pinguis) – Expert
• Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) – Expert
• Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) – Intermediate
• Cape spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura hemilopha) – Intermediate
• Green iguana (Iguana iguana) – Intermediate to expert
• Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura palearis) – Expert
• Helmeted iguana (Corytophanes cristatus) – Expert
• Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×80×120 cm for one adult animal; a pair from 200×80×120 cm), substrate (A dry to slightly damp quartz sand and soil mix (10–15 cm); no peat (risk of mould)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.