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Hi everyone. I'm new to red ear sliders but my otherwise normal red ear slider, which swims about all day, basks, go's crazy for food and seems very alert, seems to open it's mouth every 2-3 seconds a very small amount then quickly close it only when swimming under water. Almost the way a fish does constantly to breath.... is this normal behavior?

How big is your turtle?

2.5 inches long

How long have you had it?
4 months

What is the water temperature?
I just raised it to 80 from 76...assuming maybe the turtle might be sick. Although it seemed to be fine at 76 outside of this concern.

Did you use a thermometer?
Yes

Are you using a water heater?
Yes

How much water is in there?
4-5 inches

Are you using a water conditioner?
Yes

Are you using any filtration?
Yes

What is the basking temperature?
about 90 I would guess

Is there a basking light?
yes

Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on?
yes floating platform

What kind is it or what is it made out of?
not sure but it's a floating platform i bought at petsmart

Is there a UVB light?
No but I have the turtle near a window which provides consistant daylight. Also I do have a tablet in the water that is supposed to help with vitamin D and calcium. And the shell is solid...not soft.

What have you been trying to feed it?
I alternate from ReptoMin Shrimp (which the turtle loves), to ZooMed Hatchling Formula
, to Nutrafin Basix Floating Turtle Gammarus Pellets (only feed the last one occasionally)

When was the last time your turtle ate?
it eats everything I put in the tank so honestly...i just fed it a little a minute ago.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure?
10 by 4 inches by 8 inches deep.

Is the tank near a window?
yes

Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity?
yes my office

Have you read the Basic Care section?
yes.

Have you searched the forums for similar situations?
yes I've read about R.I.'s but that seems to have more to do with when the turtle is breathing. Which this turtle doesn't seem to have any problems when breathing. It's specifically when it's under water that it does this.

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?
Not really...the trutle goes crazy when it see's me. Assuming I'll feed it more. It has grown substantially, maybe doubled in size since I was given it. When I first got it, it barely moved and was clearly sick...but I nursed it back to health and have slowly improved it's habitat. Although, I'm not sure at this point if the tank is bordering being too small for the turtle.

My two RES have opened their mouths underwater and usually because they needed to yawn. My female, when she is gravid, will splash and do everything she can to get my attention and take her outside to build a nest. My male is pacing the tank trying to get my attention because he wants some more food. Well, I just fed him and then the female wanted to be fed. She actually is able to recognize her food canister.

Yea it's not like a yawn...it's more like if just opening it like a millimeter, and then closing it. like repeatedly the whole time they are under water. Just like a fish would to breath. Is that normal?

F209 wrote:Yea it's not like a yawn...it's more like if just opening it like a millimeter, and then closing it. like repeatedly the whole time they are under water. Just like a fish would to breath. Is that normal?

im not sure why they do that but its normal behavior

i heard it was because of them tasting the water

or takeing a drink