Urgent Care :: "Mini" Red Eared Slider

[pakyw]

Okay, so I'm new to this forum, but I've had my turtle Percy for 4-5 years and I feel awful that I'm just now starting to suspect something might be wrong. The thing is, he's so small - maybe 2-3 inches, and it's been several years since I've gotten him. I got him from a shady marketplace at the same time my sister got her own pet turtle too - but hers passed away within the first few months. I was never given any information on how to care for him so I winged it and my parents didn't know what to do either. I'm really worried that he's in pain or something, because I feel like I'm definitely doing something wrong here - since I read a couple of minutes ago that it can take a long time for turtles to die even if they're not cared for correctly. I answered the questions below to the best of my ability:

How big is your turtle? About 2-3 inches
How long have you had it? 4-5 years

What is the water temperature? Room temperature
Did you use a thermometer? No
Are you using a water heater? No
How much water is in there? About an inch and a half
Are you using a water conditioner? No
Are you using any filtration? No

What is the basking temperature? N/A
Is there a basking light? No
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? No
What kind is it or what is it made out of? N/A
Is there a UVB light? No

He's in a small tank, maybe 1-2 gallons or less, but I do have a 5 gallon tank. The last time I tried to transition him into it I could tell he was stressed and he wouldn't move or eat, he just hid. He relaxed when I put him back in the smaller one.

What have you been trying to feed it? ReptoMin
When was the last time your turtle ate? He's eating right now actually haha

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 1-2 gallons, possibly less, I'm not good at judging that
Is the tank near a window? No, but there's a large window in my room so some natural lighting does get to him, though he's on the other side of the room
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Not really, it's just me in the room usually

Have you read the Basic Care section? No, I'm new to this forum and I just made this account because I'm kind of freaking out so I came here first thing
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? I Googled my problem and there weren't any situations exactly like mine anywhere

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? No, he eats and moves as he always has

Please help, I'm scared!!!

[steve]

Welcome to the forum. Are you sure he's a RES? How much do you feed him?

[pakyw]

I'm positive. I feed him everyday, and if not that, then every other day.

[ljapa]

A few comments, but first, you've come to the right place. I remember a few years ago when I was the keeper of a new RES and had tons of questions. This is definitely the place to be.

First, can you post a pic? That would help quite a bit.

Second, it sounds like your turtle has not been exposed to much UVB light. That helps them convert calcium to bone. The Reptomin pellets will contain some vitamin D3, which means that lack of UVB is not as bad as if your turtle were just getting fed fish. It's possible that the UVB deficit has influenced its growth.

1-2 gallons isn't really enough space for a turtle your size. 5 gallons is even too small. There are claims out there that keeping a turtle in a restricted space will inhibit growth, but all credible sources say that is a myth. I'm inclined to trust the credible sources, but there may be some truth to the myth.

As to your turtle being scared of the new space, that is pretty normal. I started my turtle in a 20 gallon tank with a floating basking area. When I changed to an above tank basking area and deeper water, the turtle was terrified of the change. It took days before she would bask again. Later, when I moved her to a 55 gallon tank, the same thing. She hid and took time to adjust. This forum is filled with posts of concerned keepers who changed something and saw their turtle stop basking or acting normally. I remember one person posting about removing an aquarium decoration and seeing the turtle freak out.

However, the turtles always adjusted. It just took time.

Check out the habitat section

http://www.redearslider.com/index_habitat.html

And the lighting one

http://www.redearslider.com/index_lighting_basking.html

I don't want to come across as condescending or preachy. You've kept a turtle for 4 or 5 years. Obviously, if you are doing some things right, or you would not still have a turtle. You've also thought that your turtle isn't growing, searched the internet and found this forum. I think you need to consider a larger enclosure and a basking area with UVB light.

I suspect, in the short term, your turtle is going to be very freaked out and unhappy. However, I suspect in the long term, you will see a much more active and happy turtle.