Urgent Care :: Help female bit nails and part of front claw off

[vanryker]

I was looking at my 2 res this afternoon and noticed the female (both 5 years old but one month apart) had a bit taken out of her front flipper (claw) don't know what to really call it. The to my horror I noticed the male was missing 4 nails on his front claw and they were bitten right off to the point of showing some skin missing. 1. does he need a vet to see him. 2. will they grow back. I know that males flirt whatever with their long front nails fluttering them in the females face well I can only assume she had had enough and bit him. Help I was so mad at him for bitting her but know I just feel so sorry for the poor guy who is obviously alot smaller than her. Any help would be appreciated expecially regarding will they grow back?
Sincerely new member Vanryker and thanks.

[steve]

You'll probably have to keep them permanently separated. Is it bleeding? If so, I'd dry dock him so you can treat it. If the nail bed is intact, they should grow back.

[vanryker]

Really, separate them? They have been together since day 1. There is no blood, nail bed looks to be there, and I have been watching them a lot, He is dry docking himself a lot lately and unfortunately I don't have anywhere else to put him. Maybe this will tell him to back off as I have not seen an aggressiveness from either of them now. Could this just be a freak accident?
Thank you for your quick reply.

[marisa]

Having 4 nails bitten off to the point of skin missing is not a freak accident. They need to be separated. If the female is defending her self against the males advances, it is very likely to only get worse---other parts of the body will be bitten. Get another container (a Rubbermaid storage container will do in a pinch) and separate them. The new enclosure should have all the equipment as the initial one.

I don't know how big your tank is, but another possibility if the tank is large is to divide it. Each half, however, should have it's own basking area and lighting.

[TurtleKeeper48]

Really, separate them? They have been together since day 1.

Yeah, from what I hear I don't think people have much luck keeping males and females together unless they have a HUGE enclosure (outdoor pond). How old are they?