Distribution: The Fiji iguana inhabits trees exclusively in the tropical rain forest on the islands of Fiji and Tonga. The second specie of Fiji Iguanas (Brachylophus vitiensis) lives on a small island in the Northwest of the Fiji group (Yaduataba).

Description: Brachylophus fasciatus can reach a total size of 80 cm, ¾ of which is the tail. Usually the females are smaller than the males. Females are normally uniform green with a light green to yellow belly, while males have 2-4 white to light blue bands on a green body colour. It is very rare that females have also a few white to light blue patterns. Characteristically of both sexes are red-brown eyes and yellow rimmed nostrils.

Vivarium: This iguana specie can be furnished in a similar fashion to enclosures for Green iguanas and are not harder to keep as this specie. Fiji iguanas should be kept as pairs. For an adult pair the cage should have a size of 200 x 100 x 120 cm. Four fluorescent tubes (18 watt) are used for lighting. One or two Zoomed Powersun 160 watt, which are controlled by a thermostat at 32°C, are used as heating places. The vivarium is misted twice per day. Fine quarzsand (1-3mm) is used as substrate. Some horizontal and diagonally braches (5-10mm) are used for climbing and resting.

Temperature at day: 28-32°C, at night 18-23°C
Humidity: 60-80% day, 75-95% night.

Food: Fiji iguanas are generally vegetarian. A mix of different greens and herbs like endive, kale, dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli, bean sprouts, yams, and shredded carrots, is offered daily in a pot. B. fasciatus has a certain preference for fruits as: mango, papaya, kiwi, berries, melons, grapes and any other seasonal fruit. Insects (waxworms, crickets, kingworms and jumpers) are offered one time per week with a tweezers or in a pot. All food items are dusted with a vitamin and mineral supplement (Korvimin) before feeding, Multi muslin is also used as vitamin D3 supplement.

Breeding: Sexual maturity can be reached at an age of around 16 month. A clutch consists between 1-7 eggs , depends on size of the female and are deposited in the humid sand. Vermiculit is used as incubation substrate (1:1 ration). The incubation time can various enormously, from 120 – 170 days at 29-30°C. The hatchlings are housed under the same conditions as the adult iguanas.

Bibliography: Haltung und Vermehrung des Gebänderten Fidschi-Leguans (Brachylophus fasciatus) von J. Schmidt ; REPTILIA Nr. 44 (Dezember 2003/Januar 2004)