Urgent Care :: tiny bubbles / vomit

[gouchie23]

My turtle has been coughing up little bubbles. It also appears that maybe there are little particles coming up as well but far more bubbles. He then will continue to try and eat these bubbles and then cough more up. This only happens at night and when I am not looking at him directly. As soon as I move towards his tank he is fine and begging for attention. It is a voluntary action; he does not vomit bubbles out of control. Has anyone seen on heard of this before? I do not over feed him. I even took him off food for a day and he was better but after feeding him again today the vomiting of bubbles resumed There has been no change in environment or food. He is completely normal otherwise. He basks, eats, plays, begs, and sleeps.

How big is your turtle? 3 1/2 inches
How long have you had it? 7 months

What is the water temperature? 70-75
Are you using a water heater? no i live in Miami
How much water is in there? plenty
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? hot
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? oui
What kind is it or what is it made out of? plastiv/non-toxic
Is there a UVB light? no, sunlight and other

What have you been trying to feed it? he eats pellets/romaine/occasional shrimp
When was the last time your turtle ate? today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 24"x18"
Is the tank near a window? yes
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? no

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? He is completely normal otherwise. He basks, eats, plays, begs, and sleeps.

[megcornell]

So long as no other symptoms are showing I think he's fine. I've caught my turtle doing the same thing- it looks like she spits up bubbles and then chases them on the surface. I too was concerned at first, and she stopped doing it about a week later. I think it's something they discover they can do but get bored of

[steve]

Has he been eating too much, too fast? Are the "particles" food or are they unidentifiable?

[gouchie23]

No, he has not been eating more than he usually has (pellets that would fit in head). In fact, I had been scaling back a little as he is growing larger. He eats quickly, but he always has. I get the impression from all who have posted that turtles are optimistic eaters and would therefore consume food quickly. There are no easily identifiable particles beside the bubbles and maybe a few white-ish specks. His bubbling antics occur hours after he has eaten.

[marisa]

Are you sure the white specks aren't tiny bubbles? Does he always do this hours after he's eaten? From what you've written, it doesn't sound like anything serious.

[gouchie23]

Perhaps they are just bubbles. Am I to assume that he is just blowing bubbles and eating them for amusement purposes? If so, that would be a relief. I have suspected as much seeing as how his behaviour has not changed otherwise.

[marisa]

Who knows what amuses them. I'd just keep an eye out for any other unusual behavior.

[Hoooneylynn]

even though you live in miami, you still need a heater. The water should be about 78 degrees, 70 is too cold... a heater is vital to their health... they are cheap, so I would definitely get one soon.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

I live in miami and i use a water heater..temps that fluctuate are very stressfull for your turtle and overtime it could lead to pneumonia.

70 is too cold..