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

[Ashu]

I hv recently bought a new RES 4days ago.. but its not eating.. also it project out its long neck out of water and yawn as like something has choke inside.. then he settle him self down and sleep.. is this a problem or natural process??

[steve]

What's the water temperature? Does it have a basking area? How big is it? What have you been trying to feed it?

[Ashu]

Water temp is abt 28deg celsius, i hv been feeding him fish food as he is small, yes i hv made a platform for him to rest. He keep on sleeping for abt 22hr, only awaken when i take him outside for sun bath.. is this natural symptoms?? Plzz need help its been 6days since he is not eating. Should i turn to turtle food??

[steve]

How big is he? Here are some things you can try: http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

[Ashu]

I think he is hatchling.. bcoz i just bought it from one of marine shop..

[Ashu]

I also want to know wat should be the duration for sunbath for him..?? as in India its quite hot in sun..

[JimmyLo]

Hatchlings are anywhere from 0.5 - 2.5 inches in shell-length.

Its actually quite common for new turtles not to eat when they come home for the first time (as I've recently learned, even with adult RES's).

And yes, turn to turtle food - definitely! Turtle food has a fabulous smell that turtles love, it's very hard to resist. Get anything that's protein based (vegetable-based turtle food is a turn off for young turtles).

Some things to try that hatchlings love: boil some chicken and feed it to them (NO SPICES or butter - just plain, boiled chicken). You can also tried a boiled egg as well.

What have you been trying to feed him? If you've been trying to feed vegetables to him he won't eat that. I've found baby turtles extremely picky about vegetables - they might eat some, but that depends on the turtle.

[JimmyLo]

Any chance you can answer these questions for us:

How big is your turtle?
How long have you had it?

What is the water temperature?
Did you use a thermometer?
Are you using a water heater?
How much water is in there?
Are you using a water conditioner?
Are you using any filtration?

What is the basking temperature?
Is there a basking light?
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on?
What kind is it or what is it made out of?
Is there a UVB light?

What have you been trying to feed it?
When was the last time your turtle ate?

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure?
Is the tank near a window?
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity?

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?

[Ashu]

How big is your turtle? 1.5inch
How long have you had it? 7days

What is the water temperature? Approx 28 deg celsius
Did you use a thermometer? No
Are you using a water heater? Today going to buy
How much water is in there? 3inch
Are you using a water conditioner? Changing water daily
Are you using any filtration? No

What is the basking temperature? Not yet measured
Is there a basking light? Using regular 40watt bulb
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes a platform
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Cerimic tiles
Is there a UVB light? Using normal household bulb

What have you been trying to feed it? Fishfood(micro pellet)
When was the last time your turtle ate? Never since i bring him home

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? Small aquarium (18*14*10)
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No its my study room
Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes got some basic idea

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? He elongate his neck as long as he can open mouth like yawning al the time

[Ashu]

I hv to feed boiled egg in water or in dry space??

[JimmyLo]

Yikes. Ok. First off, no fish food.

If you don't have access to turtle pellets, try boiling chicken or eggs - turtles love both those things. That'll give him a start.

Firstly, with regards to your heat bulb - household bulbs are ok, but they aren't splashproof. Once your guys starts getting active and comfortable he will splash a lot - it's how they play! Anyway, make sure that if it's 40W it's about 4 inches away from the basking site - the temperature on the basking site should be 91-95 °F. Not any hotter or he will cook to death; and not much cooler or it won't help him at all.

A heater is a MUST - good for you getting one today - it's important. When you put it in the water, make sure the water temp is in mid-high 80s°F - this is a comfortable temperature for hatchlings.

You don't need to change the water daily if you have a filter. You NEED a filter - changing the water everyday will really stress him out. Imagine someone coming into your room and taking out all the stuff, and putting it back EVERY DAY. That's stressful.

Be sure you have AT LEAST the following (this is NOT an option - turtles NEED all of this to survive):

1. Half the tank filled with water (just half). He needs room to swim around and play - he's just a baby!
2. A basking site - sounds like you have one, that is great!
3. TWO lamps - one for heat, and one for a UVB bulb. The Heat lamp should measure in the low 90s °F.
4. A water heater, keeping the water in the mid-high 80s °F
5. A filter (two if you can - we use two and it's awesome!)

If you are from an area where this stuff isn't easy to find, there are countless website that you can purchase the right equipment and have it sent to you.

We're here to help you with your hatchling - but remember, you can't cut corners or take short cuts - they really do need those 5 things I mentioned above.



HOWEVER - in the meantime, try boiled chicken or boiled eggs.

[JimmyLo]

I hv to feed boiled egg in water or in dry space??

ALWAYS feed your turtle in water - RES's use water to eat, it's their saliva (because they don't make saliva on their own) - if they eat out of the water, they could choke and die - they need the water to swallow their food.

[Ashu]

Thankx Jimmy for ur guidance.. now i would try changing his food.. switching to turtle food and boiled egg..

[Ashu]

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

[JimmyLo]

Thankx Jimmy for ur guidance.. now i would try changing his food.. switching to turtle food and boiled egg..

GREAT! One more thing I forgot to say: no egg-yolks, just the whites!