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Shell discoloration

Posted:
Sun Oct 16, 2016 3:59 am
by Warren123
Hi guys. I bought Leo last October from a local pet store, kochi, Kerala, India. Lately I have noticed that his shell is kind of discolored. I change his water twice a day. I believe he's getting good sunlight and I haven't put a additional basking area as I'm living in a tropical climate. I can't afford a high end aquarium for him. I feed him 3 to 4 pellets every morning. Please see the attached images and all suggestions to his better care are welcomed.
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Mon Oct 17, 2016 7:15 am
by steve
Hi, it might be fungus. Can you post a picture of the shell dry?
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:45 pm
by Warren123
The shell turns white when it's completely dry. It looses the green color.
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:46 pm
by Warren123
If it's fungus, what are the possible remedies I could use ? I'm really worried about him. But he's showing no sign of sickness.
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:52 pm
by Warren123
The only solution is to put him in water after the shell gets discolored. Only then the light (not dark as it used to be) green color returns.
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2016 1:05 pm
by Warren123
Again, this is what his shell looks like. It's not dry. He doesn't get on the rock that often. The middle of shell is kinda yellow. Lost the green color. I can still see the patterns but it's kind of under a calcium deposit or something.
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:00 am
by steve
I really can't tell from the picture, it's a bit grainy. I do see some thick seams, so you might want to feed him less or reevaluate his diet.
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:59 am
by Warren123
I checked his shell when it was dry. There was no significant change. Do you slight stroking with lime juice might help ? I haven't changed his diet. 4 pellets every morning. I suspected pyramiding in shell.
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:50 am
by steve
Lime juice? I'm not sure what that would accomplish. Does the shell feel smooth?
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Wed Oct 26, 2016 1:33 pm
by Warren123
This is the pic of the shell when completely dry.. Is it shell rot ?The shell is not soft.. What could be the cause for this ?
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Wed Oct 26, 2016 5:57 pm
by steve
Whoa, hard to think it's fungus because the transition is usually not so dramatic. What kind of rock is he on?
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:24 pm
by Warren123
Its a rock I got from a river.. It's been in my house for a long time.. Do you think the rock is causing it ? Are you sure it's not fungus.. Because when I place him in water.. His shell is back to normal (like that of earlier images) it happens only when basking.. Do you think silver sulfadiazine cream might help ?
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Thu Oct 27, 2016 8:40 am
by steve
Yes, it could be fungus. It looks like it from the pic, so I would try the cream. Does the shell feel smooth?
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Fri Oct 28, 2016 8:53 am
by Warren123
No the shell isn't smooth..
Re: Shell discoloration

Posted:
Fri Oct 28, 2016 8:55 am
by Warren123
I tried dry docking him yday.. The guy is visibly upset.. Even when I wasn't using the rock his shell turned white.. I applied the cream then.. He goes crazy without water.. How long should I keep him without water and the cream on his shell ?