Urgent Care :: New RES.. do not eat.... need help..!!

[JimmyLo]

Can u send me a link so that i could know what type of filter i should use..??

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/repti_clear_f350.php - this is what I use - there are varying sizes.

When your turtle gets bigger, about 2 inches - you'll need a 20 gallon tank - you can get those used pretty easily, they are the most standard size tank. That'll be a good home for a good year or more. This will be perfect for a 20 gallon tank - I know yours might be a bit small, which is OK for the size he is now, but he'll need a bigger tank soon, and will need an even bigger tank when he's an adult!

You've just bought yourself a quiet, tame, adorable little puppy that lives 25+ years!

[Ashu]

yes i know its a small tank but as a beginner i thought of small one.. i will get a bigger one as soon as i can..!!

[Ashu]

i tried turtle food also but he just kind ignore it... the food is still floating and he is sleeping..!! As soon as he get something under to rest he closes his eye and start resting..!! Should i wait for few more days for his response??

[JimmyLo]

Yes, keep trying. Eventually he will get hungry and have no choice. Try leaving him alone when you feed him - he's probably still getting used to everything and tired from all the water changes. Don't wake him up.

It's really important that your turtle learns to feel safe. He will get to know you and will eventually stop being so cautious, but that takes about a month or so. When your turtle is awake, try a little more food and see if he will take it.

[Ashu]

Normally for how much long new baby can live without food?? Actually he is my 1st pet thats why having soo much tension.. Once he start eating then i can take a relief breath..

[JimmyLo]

I'm really not sure - a big part of his not eating is because of the water changing stress - my turtles stress about water changes, they don't like them (but they have to endure them!). Don't water change for now, keep him safe, and keep trying. Eventually he'll take food.

If he doesn't, don't stress. Just remember that these animals weren't destined to be pets, they were destined to be in the wild. If your little guy dies, as unfortunate as that would be, don't blame yourself. Sometimes things just happen the way they are supposed to happen. And the hard truth is that most baby turtles don't make it. We lost our first turtle (for a different reason), but after a couple months we tried again and our new guy has been doing very well.

However, you haven't given up on him and neither have we, so in the mean time:

1. Let him know he's safe by keeping his environment stable (you can add the filter once you get that).
2. When he's awake, try to feed him - let him smell the food a bit from your hands, and then put it in the water (he has to eat in the water). After that, leave him alone to eat. Even if he doesn't eat it right away, just leave it there (he might sneak it when you're not looking)

[Ashu]

Thankx for your support.. I will keep trying..

[Ashu]

Hey recently i observed that whenever he swims in water bubles comes from his nose.. is this symptom of cold??

[JimmyLo]

No, he's just letting his air out - if he starts letting out a slimy liquid or a white liquid from his nose, that's more concern.

Get that water temperature in the mid 80s!! Your turtle will catch a cold if you don't have a heater.

[Ashu]

Yes i hv purchased a heater.. temp is abt 87deg fahrenheit...

[JimmyLo]

Yes i hv purchased a heater.. temp is abt 87deg fahrenheit...

AWESOME!! Has he eaten?! I think he will soon, now that his temperature is comfortable and he's gotten to know you a bit more.

[steve]

Water temperatures for a hatchling should only be around 80F.

Do not excessively handle or hover over your turtle. Doing daily water changes can add stress, which is why having an appropriate setup is critical.

They should be active during daylight hours. If taken outside, surface temperatures and/or water temperatures need to be carefully monitored. I would expect only a short periods of sun would be appropriate in India.

Would you also be able to get live feeder fish?

I would also try giving him a soak in diluted Pedialyte (or something similar).

[Ashu]

hey its good news after 10 days of fast he actually eat his meal.. FINALLY... Hope he continue his feeding regularly.. Thankx Steve and Jimmy..

[JimmyLo]

Oh that is great news! Now, don't over do it - but keep him on a once a day feeding schedule of a meal about the size of his head... which is pretty small.... when he starts begging for food that's a really great sign - it means his body has the energy to fight for food! It's a survival mechanism, and it's really fun to watch! Again, keep temps high and the food delicious!! You're heading in the right direction!

[Ashu]

Yeah sure i will keep every thing in mind all the points u suggested.. Again Thankx..