Urgent Care :: Turtle

[black3oulmage]

My RES,Takuto, is about 5-6 inches (I haven’t really measured him). But his shell is starting to look like all it got all the Scute has been scrapped off (it turns a whitish color when he is dry), and his scale color isn’t very vibrant actually it looks rather dull.

I'm new to owning an RES (Man I could hurt my co-worker who gave my RES to me right now) I have Takuto in about a 10 gallon tank with pebbles and a rock to rest on. He doesn't bask and most of his time in the water I try to keep the algae that seems to keep growing on his back cleaned off but I think I'm losing the fight. I have a Terta Fish light on the tank (I know this is a bad but I had to move my fish to another tank so I could give my RES a place to live). And I have a small japanese airater and filter in the tank with him. He seem pretty active though, but I'm worried about him.

[curiousmonkey]

OK I am new to advice as I am a fairly new turtle owner (1 yr). I suggest that you read the info under redearslider.com because it is full of great information.
This is going to be a harsh list so please take this as me trying to help and don't get offended.

First - a ten gallon tank is WAY to small. You need 10 gallon for every inch in size. (Do the best you can here. I know a sixty gallon tank is expensive but there are alternatives.)
Second - He needs both a UVB and a UVA light. these can be found at most pet stores.
Third - Take him to a turtle vet. I have not had to deal with mine getting sick so I can not help you with the illness.

PLEASE keep us updated!!!! We all care very much about animals and will work with you to help in any way. This is a very hard road and I commend you on asking for help.

[jenaero]

Good start, Monkey! I'd like to add that keeping the appropriate water and basking temps is crucial. For a turt that size, water temp should be between 72 and 75F and basking temp about 90. If you get a larger tank, get a uvb light and get temps and food under control, I'd bet he'd start to look better in no time. As far as the white shell, it could be mineral deposits from hard water. Do you use a water conditioner?

I wonder if you're not looking forward to keeping the little guy. Was he a surprise gift?

[missibsu]

In response to alternatives to a large and expensive 60 gallon aquarium, you can purchase large rubbermaid containers at Walmart for less than 20 bucks. Best of luck with your turt and keep us posted.

[marisa]

Nice advice, but blacksoulimage lives in Okinawa, Japan so I'm not sure if places like Walmart have extended their reach there yet (but certainly possible).

BSI, he does need a bigger tank. Any secondhand/thrift shops, places of that nature around you? Look for a used tank. Could you put a wanted ad in the base newspaper? My RES was quite a bit smaller than yours when we lived in Japan, but I used a big (as big as I could find) plastic storage container to keep him in. Do they have anything like stock tanks there? Even something like a bathtub/ofuro would do. Can you get a kiddy pool in the base store?

From what you wrote, it sounds like your turtle is shedding. As the scutes lift off, air gets under them and gives them a dull, whitish look. Have any come completely off? Is the shell hard and healthy looking underneath?

Giving him the opportunity to bask in the Okinawa sun (it's warm there all year, yes?) would do a lot for his shell. If you put him outside, though, don't leave him in the glass aquarium (will heat up too much), and he should have some shade to go when he want's to get out of the sun. Supervising him when he's outside would be good, otherwise, make whatever he's in escape proof and predator proof. (I'm envisioning some kind of outdoor enclosure/pond where he can enjoy the weather. )