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Moogie is about 7 years old now. Many thanks to Turtle Talk members and moderators.

He's looking good, very nice job! Does he have any melanism yet?

Yes there is some. Here's a picture of his shell.


See that small dark pit at the front center top of his shell? Also the ridges and pyramiding -- I'm wondering if that's okay?
I'd be happy to hear any comments and suggestions about this.




He eats red leaf lettuce in the morning, and then later in the day some dry food, such as
Repto treat
Dried red shrimp (Zoo Med)
Tubifex worms (omega one)
Repto treat suprema
Tetra fish snacks (dried anchovies)

As a special treat one live cricket every few months.

Also, now that he's older he enjoys more fruits and vegetables, like -
red leaf and romaine lettuce
sliced red grapes (favorite)
carrot slivers
and (can you believe it) fresh guava slices.

I don't have a UVB bulb, however Moogie gets some direct afternoon sunlight for a few months in the summer when the window near his basking area is open.





Sheryl

If the pit has healed it should be fine. Most likely it was one of his original scutes that did not shed fast enough and became infected. The ridges are not pyramiding... but it's probably related to his growth rates.

The whiteness on the shell might be a bacterial infection. If it's the kind I'm thinking of, it should be gone after the next shed.

Thank you Steve, I'm very happy to hear this.

Sheryl

No problem! Are you using a strainer on those filter hoses?

Yes there IS one on the intake hose. I was alerted a while back from a post on this forum about curious turtles getting their heads stuck.

The number of turtles and their owners that have benefitted from this forum can never be underestimated!!! Thank you Steve!

Lovely turtle. Might I ask why you don't have a uvb light?

His current basking bulb is a Zoo Med Repti Tuff Splashproof Halogen Lamp. Zoo Med says it generates UVA but not UVB.
Also in summer he gets direct sunlight from time to time from an open window.

The tank gets lots of natural light. I haven't found a UVB bulb that works with my set-up.

He looks fine. I was just wondering.

Do you like the Zoo Med bulb? How long does it last before it burns out?

Yes, so far the Zoo Med bulb is my favorite. I can't remember when I bought it, and its on over 8 hours a day, so I'd say it last a long time. And it's splash-proof.
The first time I lit it Moogie immediately climbed up to bask, so I'd say he likes it too. I'll buy it again.

Thanks for the feedback. I've suggested it to members before, though I have not any reports about it.