Most crested gecko diets today are built around a complete powdered crested gecko diet (CGD) mixed with water — it covers their core nutrition on its own. Live insects aren't required, but most geckos relish them as enrichment and extra protein, especially during growth or breeding.
What They'll Eat
Small Dubia roach nymphs are the best fit — soft-bodied, easy to catch, and sized to match a crested gecko's smaller mouth. Small mealworms can be offered occasionally, but their firmer exoskeleton is harder for cresties to manage than roach nymphs.
How Often to Feed
- Juveniles: 2–3 small dubia nymphs, 2–3 times a week, alongside daily CGD.
- Adults: 2–4 nymphs once or twice a week as a supplement, not a replacement for CGD.
Supplements & Gut-Loading
Since insects are a supplement rather than the core diet here, a light calcium dusting is usually enough — see our gut-loading guide for what goes into our roach colonies before they ship.
Tips & Cautions
Only offer insects your gecko can subdue easily — cresties are ambush feeders, not chasers, in a tall, densely planted enclosure. Remove anything uneaten after feeding to keep it from wandering the enclosure overnight.