Your average pet sandfish in the US costs around $40.

The Eastern Sandfish (S. mitranus) and Common Sandfish (S. scincus) are most commonly found in pet stores. These animals are generally wild-caught specimens, as they are not yet commonly bred in captivity. However, as we come to understand sandfish care better, more captive-bred sandfish will become available.

We at ReptiFiles advise buying directly from a breeder if possible. If not possible, look to adopt a sandfish from a rescue or someone who has lost interest and is selling theirs. Wild-caught sandfish are likely to carry a higher parasite load than captive-bred animals, and are thus less likely to thrive as pets. It is also best to buy a sandfish at least 4” long, as older skinks are more likely to survive the stress of transitioning to a new home than younger ones.

Buying In-Person

If you are buying a sandfish in-person, you are most likely at a pet store or reptile expo. In this setting, try to get a look at the animal up close, so you can gauge its overall health:

• Is it alert, watching you and its surroundings?
• Do the spine or hip bones seem to protrude? (bad)
• Does the body seem sunken at all? (bad)
• Are the eyes clear and open?
• Are the arm and leg bones straight?
• Are the tail or toes blackened at all? (bad)
• Does it seem clumsy? (bad)
• If removed from the sand, will it immediately try to dig back under?
• Does it try to wriggle free if held?

If you’re at a pet store, look at the enclosure:

• Is there plenty of deep sand for substrate?
• Is there both a heat source and UVB?
• Is the enclosure clean?
• If there’s glass, is that clean? Clean enclosures usually mean an animal is well cared-for.

Buying from a Breeder

Whenever possible, buy from a small breeder who specializes in sandfish skinks, not a big-box reptile distributor (Underground Reptiles, Backwater Reptiles, BHB Reptiles, etc.). The narrower their focus, the more likely you are to receive a healthy, high quality animal. Some questions to ask yourself as you evaluate the breeder:

• Do they provide plenty of information in the listings for each available animal?
• Do they offer a live-arrival guarantee?
• Do they offer a health guarantee?
• Do they have a DOA (dead-on-arrival) policy?
• Do they have a good reputation in the reptile community?

Some questions to ask about the sandfish:

• Does s/he have a good appetite?
• When was the last time it ate, and how much?
• Have they had any past health issues?
• Did the mother/father have any recurring health issues?
• (If female) Has she ever been with a male?

Of course, buying directly from a breeder often means that you have to pay more, but it’s worth the extra money. Also, buying online means that you will have to pay for overnight shipping — in the US, that’s usually around $50.