Urgent Care :: Is my Res shedding?....

[marboo]

Hello all,
Is my res shedding, or is there something wrong with it - or me... (A bit panicked...)

OK, let's start with the questions:

How big is your turtle? 6,5 cm
How long have you had it? 6 months
What is the water temperature? 26 C
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? ~20 liters
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes, anti-chloride
Are you using any filtration? Yes
What is the basking temperature? I don't know...
Is there a basking light? I only have the aquarium light (see photo)
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? plexiglass-silicone-gravel
Is there a UVB light? No (?)
What have you been trying to feed it? Commercial shrimps
When was the last time your turtle ate? This morning
How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 60x30x30 cm
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? My 2 dogs live there during the day, I live there too in the afternoons.
Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes
Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? None

OK, since yesterday I see little things like "scales" on his feet and neck. These "scales" look exactly like what we get when we are sun-burnt. I can only see them when he is the water.
So, I brought him our of the aquarium yesterday, and when he dried, I saw that a. I couldn't see these "scales' anymore, but b. his carapace is "shedding" scales.

Here are the photos:


OK, you can have an idea how these "scales" look - he moves too fast for a camera to shoot...



If he's out of the water, I can't see anything


His under side looks alright (to me)...


Now you see what I mean: I can lift these transparent "scales" with my nail, but didn't try to get them off.


This is only lamp my aquarium has.

He eats very eagerly, he swims well, I didn't notice any other change on him! His shell is not soft.
Please let me know what I should do!!
Thanks in advance!!
Maria & Res...

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Yep your turtle is just shedding

[marboo]

Hi and thanks for your reply!

[marisa]

Is that a UVB light? If it is, your turtle also needs a heat light (which will encourage him to bask under the warmth and help with shedding). If it's a heat light, he also needs a UVB light, which will also help with shedding. Where is that light in relation to the basking area? It should be over it.

If the light is just an aquarium light, it should be replaced with a UVB light and heat light.

You also should check the basking area light with a thermometer...

[marboo]

Hello Marisa and thanks for your reply!
It is a simple light, appended on the aquarium cover. The vertical distance between the cover and the basking dock is exactly 18 cm. Now that you mention it, probably this is why he spends much more time on the basking area this week than he ever did! So, I'm on my way to the pet shop....