Urgent Care :: Sluggish baby turtle?

[squirtle415]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but from what I've read and seen so far, this is a great community for our RES.

I have two baby RES. There may or may not be an issue with one of my turtles (Squirtle). I hope you guys can help.

The issue I'm having with one of the baby RES (Squirtle) is that he/she has become sluggish. Some background on the turtle. They are about 2-3 inches in length, and are babies. They were given to me from a friend who purchased them in LA's chinatown.

I have a filter, heater, and basking lamp. Water is always crystal clear, and I do water changes whenever I see algae or food build up. Water is kept around 75-80F.

The turtle escaped from a smaller tank that I had it in about a month ago. This is when I first got Squirtle. It fell about 5 feet from the shelf that I had the tank on. I searched everywhere for about 2 days but it did not reappear until a week later. Despite the cold, no food/water...it was in excellent condition! It remained active, eating, basking, and not being scared of anything. (no shell cracks)

About a week ago, I noticed Squirtle being sluggish. I don't know if this is normal or what...so hopefully you guys can chime in. I would turn on the basking lamp and immediately, it would go bask for pretty much the full 7-10 hours I have the lamp on. But I noticed it sleeping/napping while it's basking...it never used to do that. Normally it would have its eyes open, and arms/legs stretched out and breath "pumping". Besides this, I noticed its lost most of it's appetite. It still eats occasionally...but it really begs for food like it used to. It used to swim more, beg for food once It see's me and now it's the opposite. Also, when I turn the lamp off...it used to just hop back into the water almost immediately, now it stays on the dock for a while before it does. It seems as if Squirtle has grown weaker...doesn't want to move much, rarely swims and if it does it's only when the light isn't on.

I don't see signs of sickness on shell or anywhere. It does look skinnier than my other turtle though. My other turtle loves to swim, bask, begs for food, all the norm. So that's why I'm worried Squirtle (who used to do all this) isn't anymore.

I'm looking into getting a new heater that will put the temperature up to about 80-85 constantly. The one I have now doesn't seem to be doing the job.

Sorry for the long read...

[LilTurtSquirt]

[squirtle415]

What is the basking area temperature? Do you have a UVB light on? For a hatchling, the water temp should be around 78F degree's, 85 is too hot.

- The water temperature stays steady at 79 degrees.

What size tank are these turtles in? With how much water?

15 gal - more than half filled with water

What filter do you have running?

internal filter...sits on bottom of aquarium...shoots water outward through tubing. keeps the water crystal clear.


How often do you do water changes and how much? Do you put dechlorinator?

yes and every 1 1/2 weeks

Have you had the water tested, and what was the ammonia and nitrite levels?

No, but water condition is very good ... same as always. Treated with dechroinator and cycled every water change.

If the turtle is acting ill and not appearing to be himself, he really needs to be seen by an exotics veterinarian for an exam. Turtles who are ill can go downhill and die quickly if not treated and taken care of quickly.

Thanks for your response. I just fed the turtles, both came and ate...but the one that seems inactive did not each much and went back to basking after eating about 2-3 shrimps.

It just basks ALOT...I don't know if this is normal. Only because it never used to bask this much and just to swim much more and be more active.

[LilTurtSquirt]

[coreyvht]

can you change your profile pic because i always thin its the admin steve

[LilTurtSquirt]

[coreyvht]

ok sorry didnt know that

[sull324]

Could be a lot of thing,

Turtle are reptile and reptile have a slow metabolism,might take a good time for him to heal if he is hurt.

You can bring him to an vet if you have the money or you can wait ,feed him correctly and make sure is setup is perfect.

[squirtle415]

ok thanks for the replies guys.

[LilTurtSquirt]

[Turtle Mummy 101]

I would agree with LilTurtSquirt. In the long run, it's actually better for you and your pet to get to the vet ASAP. This way your RES can get the care it needs and begin to heal. Plus, waiting can ending up costing you more money in the long run because your RES's condition can worsen, requiring more care which in turn, ends up costing you more money. My advice, get your RES to a vet and get everything sorted Good luck!!