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Hi, my name is John, I live in Plantation, Florida, and I have two hatchling Red Ear Sliders named Akira and Hoshi.

I'm still learning how to take good care of them; but just when I thought I have learned a lot, I realize that still know nothing...

One of them seems to be developing MBD; I hope I'm wrong. I came to this forum with the hope to find some answers, and also share my experiences with my two little Sliders.

-John

Welcome to the forum. There's a lot of info here on the forum and the main site as well. Be sure to read through as much as you can. After reading if you have any questions just ask.

How old are your little guys? How big are they (shell from tip to tip not including curve)?

Welcome! We love to see pics!

sonyj wrote:Welcome to the forum. There's a lot of info here on the forum and the main site as well. Be sure to read through as much as you can. After reading if you have any questions just ask.

How old are your little guys? How big are they (shell from tip to tip not including curve)?

I'm not really sure how old they are; I bought them about two months ago.

By their particular behavior and physical appearance, I think they are male and female.

Akira (not show in the pictures) measures 1.5", while Hoshi measures just 1/10" more than Akira.

The 'female'(?) (Hoshi) is the one who seems to have develop MBD. Here are two photos of her I have just taken.







Please let me know if this really is MBD or if it's something else, and what I could do to treat this problem.

Thanks!

-John

could be shell rot or fungus but I doubt it's gone to MBD yet. If left untreated it could. I assume you've read up on the lighting and food requirements. If not, please do. I'd make a vet appointment for both of them as soon as you can. Good luck.

Can you post a pic of the shell when it's dry (it looks wet to me, or is it just a reflection in the pic)?

How long have you had them? What are you feeding them, how much and how often?

Is the shell soft at all, particularly in the white areas? Is there any odor coming from the white areas? This does not look like MBD (why do you think the turtle may have it?). The white areas are so regular, I'm wondering if it's not trapped air under the scutes that are getting ready to shed. (But if any of the previously-mentioned conditions are apparent, a fungus or shell rot is a possibility). A pic of the shell dry would really be good...

jenaero wrote:could be shell rot or fungus but I doubt it's gone to MBD yet. If left untreated it could. I assume you've read up on the lighting and food requirements. If not, please do. I'd make a vet appointment for both of them as soon as you can. Good luck.

Thanks. I'll look into that. They have a 20W Super UV Coil-Lamp (for UVB and UVA) and a 60W Basking light (for UVA).

And they both bask regularly at a temperature no greater than 90F.

They both eat very well. I'm still giving them Zoo Med Hatchling food.

As a filter, I'm using a Whisper In-Thank Filter 40i on a 20 gallon tank.

Also, I recently dropped a Repto Guard Health Conditioner inside their tank.

I fed them spinach (as a snack) a about 3 times in the past, but then I learned that spinach could lead them to MBD.

Before getting the tank, I had them on a little turtle island I got at the same place I bought them, and besides their basking light, they used to get sunlight through the opened window. Now they only get artificial light.

I started noticing these white spots recently, especially when she broke a front nail. ( ? )

The other turtle is in perfect condition. His shell has a very nice dark green tone as you can see in this Pirate photo below (he's on top)...





Thank you,

-John

Their shells both look good in that pic. What's with the eye-socket only in the one turtle? Is it real??? It looks positively spooky...

The ReptoGuard Health Conditioner isn't going to do much, if anything at all. Better to save your money and put in into something they'll benefit from.

marisa wrote:Their shells both look good. What's with the eye-socket only in the one turtle? Is it real??? It looks positively spooky...

Hahah! I made this photo to post on my friend's band MySpace website. They wrote a new song called "The Pirate Song", so I used Photoshop to give Hoshi an eyepatch.

This picture was taken on March 29. I'm posting two new photos in a few minutes.

Thanks for your reply,

-John

marisa wrote:Can you post a pic of the shell when it's dry (it looks wet to me, or is it just a reflection in the pic)?

How long have you had them? What are you feeding them, how much and how often?

Is the shell soft at all, particularly in the white areas? Is there any odor coming from the white areas? This does not look like MBD (why do you think the turtle may have it?). The white areas are so regular, I'm wondering if it's not trapped air under the scutes that are getting ready to shed. (But if any of the previously-mentioned conditions are apparent, a fungus or shell rot is a possibility). A pic of the shell dry would really be good...

I couldn't detect any foul smell. The spots started to appear about 2 weeks ago. The area feels a little soft, but then again, I don't really have enough experience to know how soft is soft.


Thanks,


-John

BTW, you will not be able to tell whether they are male or female until they reach around 4 inches in length. What type of behavior were you referring to that makes you think they are male and female?

sonyj wrote:BTW, you will not be able to tell whether they are male or female until they reach around 4 inches in length. What type of behavior were you referring to that makes you think they are male and female?

Well, I'm not being authoritative with that; I could be wrong. I got to my own conclusions just by observing their behaviour. That's why their names could be used for male or female.

The one I think is male (Akira):
- Is more hyperactive
- Suddenly started to bite me, the other turtle, and even his own arms, and anything else he may feel like biting
- It's a little aggressive.
- Is not shy at all.
- When basking together, he always goes on top (oh well!)
- Eats a lot

The one I think is female (Hoshi) (the one with the white spots on the shell):
- Is more passive
- Doesn't bite
- Is very shy (Jumps in the water as soon as she feels me walking into the room, then when she realizes it was me, she quickly swims towards me.
- Is becoming 'High Maintenance' ( JK, lol !!!)

Besides the above, I guess only a DNA test would let know what their real sexes are. But I rather wait than having their blood drawn for the test.

Thanks!

-John

Have you tried other veggies since you discovered the spinach was no good? Also, there is cuttlebone for extra calcium. It's found in the bird section. My turts love it. Just don't forget to peel the hard backing off.

marisa wrote:Can you post a pic of the shell when it's dry (it looks wet to me, or is it just a reflection in the pic)?

How long have you had them? What are you feeding them, how much and how often?

Is the shell soft at all, particularly in the white areas? Is there any odor coming from the white areas? This does not look like MBD (why do you think the turtle may have it?). The white areas are so regular, I'm wondering if it's not trapped air under the scutes that are getting ready to shed. (But if any of the previously-mentioned conditions are apparent, a fungus or shell rot is a possibility). A pic of the shell dry would really be good...

Hi Marissa.

I think you are right. I have noticed today that these spots are appearing in other parts of the shell too, so these may be starting to shed.

Also, last night I saw a friend who had a couple of RES, and she told me the same thing after seeing the photos.

You have no idea how relieved I feel today

If someone still thinks it could be something else, please let me know.

Thanks,

-John

You decided that the female was more passive....I would have thought that too. BUT, my female is the more aggressive of my two. The male is extremely shy. So, good luck with the names, lol.