Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Bruce needs help

[hokte]

Recently acquired an RES n another state and as it turns out what the seller told me was complete lies. Bruce is a hatchling, and I got home and started doing research and find out I'm in waaaaay over my head. I've read the site and tips and support would be appreciated. I want to do the best I can for the little guy, but I'm worried that I can't and that I'll end up with a very unhappy turtle. Someone please help me.

[wiccabrat]

What exactly do you want help with? They aren't hard to care for they just require a big tank when they get older. What do you want to know? Ask away.

[hokte]

I guess I'm really just panicking because the care for him was not what I expected. I was told that small tank = small turtle, and when I started doing proper research, which I should have done in the first place instead of relying on the seller's word, I found that is pretty much an out and out lie. My big problem right now is that he doesn't seem to be eating. I have little food pellets, which I give him one a day, and i cut up a bit of carrot and lettuce into very fine, small pieces, but all of it still seems to be there (from afternoon before yesterday to right now).

[marisa]

Welcome. Read up on what your little new RES needs and feel free to ask if you don't understand something.

If s/he's not eating intially, it's likely because of the new environment, which can take a little time to adjust to. Hatchlings aren't really interested in carrots and lettuce (but it's good to offer plant matter early). Try some anachris (aquatic plant) instead.

Don't know the brand or size of the pellets you're giving him, but if they're small, more than 1 a day would be better. Are they exactly what he was being fed at the place you bought him? If not, he take a little time to adjust to new food.

[wiccabrat]

I offer mine blood worms and pellets when they're young (blood worms every 3 days or so instead of pellets), plus zucchini, varieties of leafy greens, and a little strawberry (just cause all my turtles love it). There's no need to cut the lettuce in tiny pieces just toss in a small chunk, zucchini I slice and chop in half for little ones, and maybe a quarter of a strawberry. They like to rip their food apart and the bigger stuff is easier to catch. It can take a few days for them to adjust and start eating so don't panic.
I'm sorry you were lied to and I'd be happy to throttle the guy if I could. I have 13 RES, all rescues and alot for the very reason you stated. Thank-you for taking the time to actually learn about your turtle, better late than never. Try not to feel to overwhelmed, it will take some time for him to grow so you can work on getting a big tank and everything he needs. Right now make sure he can bask, has a basking light and UVB light. You can take him outside to get some really sun once he adjusts to his new home.
Look for used tanks, craigs lists, garage sales, or even try petco (they have a tank sale once a year here, each gallon is $1 so a 75 is $75.

[hokte]

Bruce has a pretty good setup now; 10 gallon tank, neat little basking rock, heat lamp, filter, and delicious turtle food. But he still isn't eating. I'm getting more worried, because it's been nearly four days now and I haven't seen him eat. All the food I offer him appears to still be in the tank the following day.

[trebzet]

Try to offer live foods like feeder fish worms and gammarus .... since they are hatchling they are more carnivors than adult RES... and leave them cuz it takes time to gain their trust.....

[linxie]

Bruce has a pretty good setup now; 10 gallon tank, neat little basking rock, heat lamp, filter, and delicious turtle food. But he still isn't eating. I'm getting more worried, because it's been nearly four days now and I haven't seen him eat. All the food I offer him appears to still be in the tank the following day.

While I was reading up after getting my turtles, I read somewhere that they like to eat in water. I tried feeding them in the tank first. I swear none of them at anything. All it did was make the tank messy, and I have a 60 gallon filter on a 10 gallon tank (read somewhere you need a good strong filter, so I got a good one), All the food would be stuck to the filter. I tried lettuce, carrots, apples, and the pellets and a krill meal I bought when I got the turtles.

Well, I got tired of cleaning the tank every other day, and got smart. I use the little 5 gallon tank I brought them home in, and I fill it with about 2 inches of tepid water. I put the food in the tank. Zoo Med Turtle pellets, Krill meal, some fruit (they don't touch it much) and fish flakes, and beta pellets. Yep Fish Food. They eat the heck out of it all now.

I do turtle round up about 5:30 every day when I get home from work. They are actually eating as I type this. I leave them in the little tank with the food for about 15-20 minutes. They eat what they want in that time. I think they are now used to the routine after a month. Then I put them back in their tank.

All I have to do then is dump the mess they made in the little tank and was it out. Their tank stays clean for a LONG time. I haven't had to clean it once since I started doing this. I just have to add water every 3 days or so, either they drink it or it evaps. due to the heat light.

Try putting your little guys in a smaller container, and giving them fish food... that is what mine actually started eating first. Now they eat, or try everything I put in the food tank.

Good Luck!