Urgent Care :: Innactive turtle

[ClauTicta]

Hello,

I had two turtle until this morning...
I have had them both for about 2 months.

And found out not so long ago that it is illegal to sell such small turtles! I went back to where I bought them, they're not there anymore of course!

Napoleon was a bit smaller than the one still alive (about 2 in), at first he was very skittish, he wouldn't let anybody touch him, and would spend long hours hiding behing a rock that i have for them. In the past week or so, it does not want to eat, and just lost interest in life. He died this morning.

On the other hand, Piggy has always been very active, and appeared to be very adapted to his new home. He is 2 in long. For the past week he has been behaving just like Napoleon. They both been very inactive. When i get home they almost in the same position they were when I left home. Piggy used to be a big eater (hence the name), not anymore, he's not even interested anymore. I don't want piggy to die as well. What should I do, help me please!

Tank: 10 gallon
Filter
Gravel
Food: Reptomin for babies (bought at PetsMart)
Have tried to feed them lettuce, but he doesn't even try it.
Temperature, about 75F - 80F
I have them next to the window, so they get natural UV light
Have a floting dock (where he has been spending lots of time lately, just sleeping or inactive)
I have cleaned the tank twice or three times since i've got them. And whenever I put clean water, I put the water conditioner that removes chlorine and chloramines.

Please help me!

[ellman605]

take out gravel, and move them from the window..

i'm sorry for your lost, a lot of pet store dont take care of the animals right...and i'm guessing that might have been the problem

[cam722]

Sorry to hear about your loss... Now on to your question.

Take out the gravel as Elliott said.. it is a potential health hazard.

Do you have both a UVB/UVA light over the basking area? If so, what are both the water/basking temps. At this point, since they are so young, I'd not worry about them eating lettuce, most hatchlings won't as they are more meat eaters at this stage of development. Putting a tank by the window is not a good idea. First, the turtle will get no beneficial UVB rays because they are filtered out by the glass. It does create the possibility of overheating their water and in turn basically "boiling" them. I see your temp says 75/80.. is that water or basking? Do you have a heater? Where do you live? (Sometimes we need to ask questions in order to figure out how to help) Did the turtle that passed away, have any other symptoms other than not eating? It could be that it was sick and has passed on whatever it had to the other turtle. Have you since he passed away, totally cleaned out your tank? I'd suggest using some white vinegar on the tank and rinsing it very well with hot water to disinfect it.

Again, sorry for your loss, but let's work on getting this one healthy..

[ClauTicta]

Ok, I do not have a thermometer in the water as of now, i just have not bought it... I live in tropicla weather (Miami, FL). But I know both temperatures are about 75F, the thermometer in my room says it, and it would be way too hot if it was more than that.

The turtle just died this morning, was planning to do the cleaning soon.... I usually clean the tank with hot water and white vinegar (as instructed by someone at PetsMart)... I will take out gravel ASAP. hopefully this one will feel batter soon...

I have a lamp with a white bulb over the basking area... i really thought they were getting UV light from the sun, silly me...

mmm don't know what other information might be helpful...

Thank you!

[cam722]

Ok, the basking/water temps really should be approximately 10 degrees different. I strongly recommend you pick up a thermometer, it's a MUST Have for turtles as the temperature is very important to a healthy turtle. If the water temperature is too cold, a turtle may not eat, this could be your problem. Does the water temperature go down significantly at night? How long do you keep the light on over the basking area (It should be approximately the same as the number of sunlight hours outside). Depending on the out door temps, you can take your turtle out into the natural sunlight for the UVB rays a few times a week.

As for the UVB through the window, most people don't equate this, but ever notice you don't get sunburn through a car window?? It's for the same reason a turtle gets no beneficial UVB through the glass of the window/tank.

[ClauTicta]

Its true, never thought about it, and I love physics, funny huh?

Ok, I'm in the process of cleaning up right now... I will get a thermometer today... so what should the temperatur be like?

Miami at night is not colder than 70... very humid all year long... sunny days most of the time...

The light I keep it just about the same number of sunlight hours...

Thank you so much for your help!

Looking fw to see a beutiful outcome!

[cam722]

Water temp for a hatchling (under a year) should be around 78... basking temps between 88-92..

[ClauTicta]

thank u so much

i'll let u guys know if i got any other concerns