Phantom

In crested geckos, phantom is a breeder term for a subdued, low-pattern look rather than a separate species or formally registered breed. Phantom animals may have muted dorsal striping, faint side markings, or a pinstripe effect that appears shadowed instead of sharply cream or white. The word is often seen in combinations such as phantom pinstripe, because the trait is judged by how the gecko's crests, back, and lateral pattern read together when the animal is fired up.

Care is the same as for other Correlophus ciliatus from New Caledonia. A vertical, well-planted enclosure should provide climbing cover, moderate temperatures, and humidity that rises and dries in cycles. Most keepers feed a quality prepared crested gecko diet, with occasional appropriately sized insects. Because phantom expression can be subtle and definitions vary, buyers should ask for fired-up photos, parent information, and adult examples from the line. Breeders usually select for contrast, clean structure, and health rather than trying to identify phantom from a single juvenile photo.

Colors: Axanthic, Bicolor, Brindle, Cappuccino, Cream, Cream-On-Cream, Dalmatian, Dark, Dashed Pinstripe, Empty Back, Extreme Harlequin, Flame, Harlequin, Lavender, Lily White, Moonglow, Orange, Partial Pinstripe, Patternless, Phantom, Pinstripe, Porthole, Red, Sable, Super Dalmatian, Tiger, Tricolor, White Wall, Yellow