Urgent Care :: bizzare behavior

[hansofoundation]

I did an extensive search of the forum and didn't find anything even remotely similar to the bizarre behavior I'm getting from my 12 year-old RES.

Basic info. Big tank, 150W UV basking light on a 12h timer, high powered underwater filter, feeding repti-min and supplementing with fresh veggies. Treated for a RI with IM baytril about a year ago and recovered very nicely. Had her for 5 years.

There's been nothing particularly remarkable about Shakti's behavior lately, but probably three days ago she got out of the water to bask and never went back in. Even when the light is off, she stays on the rock. She's been chirping loudly as well over the last two days, but that's not really anything new as she's usually pretty vocal. She has no other symptoms of a RI. So I thought maybe she was a bit cranky about the condition of her water (for whatever reason), and I changed it this evening. Right after I changed the water, she walked to the edge of her rock and stuck her head in - just her head. THen she dove in, and when she did, she could not get out of the water fast enough. It was actually quite alarming the fuss she made trying desperately to get out. Anyway, now she's back on the dock, with just her head in the water. And she will not go in.

Anyone know what's up?

[SpotsMama]

That is very odd. Something about the water makes her uncomfortable. If she hasn't been in the water, does that mean she's not eating?

Could there be an electrical short that's putting a small current in the water?

Do you use any conditioner or other chemicals in the water?

What's the water temperature?

Have you tested it for ph, ammonia, nitrite? If so, what were the readings?

Is the water in the tank the same as the water you drink and, if so, does it seem normal to you?

Is there anything unusual about her shell or skin that you can see? Change in color, pinkness, shedding heavily?

Do her eyes look normal?

[marisa]

What's the temp of the water and basking area?

I'm wondering about the sudden chirping---this is consistent when she's on the basking area? Does it sound anything like wheezing? Can you remember if she made any noises when she had the RI?

Is she interested in food at all? If you put something in the water will she try to eat it?

[ACF&RESLOVER]

Wow, that really is strange.

How about trying to put her in some water in a hospital tank or large bucket or something just to see how she behaves.

If she is behaving normally otherwise (healthy) it almost does sound like maybe there's an electric current or something flowing through the water that is making her very uncomfortable.