Urgent Care :: Floating and Inactive Turtle

[mdthorpe]

How big is your turtle? about 1.25"
How long have you had it? since august '08

What is the water temperature? around 70 during day and 65 at night
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using a water heater? no
How much water is in there? it is a 20gal tank just under half full
Are you using a water conditioner? yes...reptisafe
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? around 75
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? rocks that are sloped up from water
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? zoo med aquatic turtle food, hatchling formula
When was the last time your turtle ate? about 4 days ago

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? about a 20gal tank
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? no

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? just floats when it swims, doesnt eat very often, basks a lot, swims very litte

I have read other forums on this topic and I have realized the water and basking area need to be hotter. I am going tommorow to purchase the water heater and a higher voltage basking light.

I got the hatchling in August. He was doing well. I had four for about 2 or 3 months as two were my cousins and he was preparing his aquarium. So I currently have 2. The one that is sick has always seemed to be the smallest, and hasn't really grown any. My other one is active, eats every day and is clearly growing.

But anyway, the sick one just sits under the light all day, sometimes it looks like he is dead. About every two days I wake him up and put him in the water to eat, he sometimes eats, but usually swims for a couple minutes then goes back to the rocks. When he swims he floats, the top of his shell never gets wet, and he is not tilting to one side or another.
I don't see any signs of RI, no discharge around nose, no sneezing, coughing, etc.

I was hoping the warmer water and basking area would help.
Anymore suggestions that would likley help save this little guy.
Any suggestions on how to get him to eat more?

Any help greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

[joeybsmooth]

Many times the other signs of RI come after. And by that time it is to late. I would take him to the vet.

Also the other turtle could be bullying him, that is why he does not eat. You can try to feed in a different tank.

[RyanJ]

I think joey is on the right track, I think the turt needs his own tank, not just for space concerns but to quarantine him in case he does have an RI so he doesn't get the other sick. But please do take it to a vet, the "worst" that happens is he gets a clean bill of health and you've spent the money to get some peace of mind.

[grem89]

my turt did this at first when he was really small. He would only bask and would almost never go in the water. Keep the water quality in great condition and keep it around 80 degrees. Also make sure the basking area is warm and not getting any cool breezes. Try to give it shrimp too to get it interested in eating. If there are no updates definitely try to see a vet. Good luck!

[Azfar]

My friend just lose her turtle yesterday.. the turtle have same symptom like Mdthorpe turtle.. =(

[jozzep]

azfar...when you say "lost" do mean died? i see you have 2 "lost" in your sig as well.Sure these turtles are getting proper attention?

[trudykurz]

mdthorpe from my understanding give your turts separate tanks. At their small size you don't need anything huge right now but be prepared to upgrade. The bigger turtle may indeed be bullying the smaller turtle and taking food away.

[steve]

What is his response to treats and live prey?