Complete feeding guide for crested geckos. We review the top meal replacement powders and supplemental foods.
In the wild, crested geckos eat a combination of fruit, nectar, pollen, and insects. Their diet is omnivorous with a slight frugivorous lean. This means they need:
Protein: 15-25% of diet (from insects and MRP)
Fat: 5-10% of diet
Calcium: Critical for bone health and egg production
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 2:1 (prevents metabolic bone disease)
Vitamins: A, D3, and others from a varied diet
MRPs are the single greatest advancement in crested gecko care. These powders, mixed with water to form a smooth paste, provide complete nutrition without the need for live insects (though insects are still beneficial).
Best Overall: Repashy Crested Gecko MRP
Allen Repashy created the original MRP formula, and it remains the industry standard. The "Classic" flavor is the most widely accepted by geckos, and the nutritional profile has been refined over 15+ years.
Why Repashy wins:
Complete nutrition — can be used as sole diet
Multiple flavors (Classic, Banana, Mango, Mulberry)
1. Mix MRP powder with water to a ketchup-like consistency (roughly 1:2 powder to water)
2. Serve in a small food dish or bottle cap elevated in the enclosure
3. Offer fresh MRP every 48 hours (remove uneaten food)
4. Most geckos eat at night — place food in the evening
5. Store mixed MRP in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Feeding frequency:
While MRPs provide complete nutrition, live insects offer valuable benefits:
Enrichment: Hunting triggers natural behavior
Protein boost: Beneficial for growing juveniles and breeding females
Exercise: Chasing insects provides physical activity
Best feeder insects for crested geckos:
1. Dubia roaches — Excellent protein-to-fat ratio, easy to gut-load, no odor
Crested geckos enjoy occasional fruit treats, but these should supplement MRP, not replace it.
Safe fruits (mashed or pureed):
Banana (favorite of most geckos)
Mango
Papaya
Fig
Calcium is non-negotiable. Without adequate calcium and D3, crested geckos develop metabolic bone disease (MBD) — a painful, deforming, and potentially fatal condition.
For MRP-fed geckos: Repashy and Pangea contain sufficient calcium. No additional supplementation needed.
For insect-fed geckos: Dust insects with calcium + D3 powder at every feeding. Keep a small dish of plain calcium powder in the enclosure (geckos self-supplement by licking it).
Signs of MBD:
Wavy or rubbery jaw
Difficulty climbing
1. Only feeding MRP of one brand — Rotate Repashy and Pangea for nutritional variety
2. Overfeeding insects — Leads to obesity and MRP refusal
3. Not removing uneaten food — Mold and bacteria growth
4. Feeding wild-caught insects — Risk of pesticide exposure and parasites
5. Leaving crickets in the enclosure — They bite sleeping geckos
6. Not providing water — Mist the enclosure nightly; some geckos drink from droplets, not dishes
Crested gecko nutrition is straightforward: rotate between Repashy and Pangea MRPs as the dietary foundation, supplement with gut-loaded and dusted insects 1-2x weekly, and offer occasional fruit treats. This simple regimen supports healthy growth, vibrant coloration, and a lifespan of 15-20+ years.