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Aloha, this is my first time here. We adopted a cute little RES from our local Human Society a couple of weeks ago. My daughter noticed that the skin looks a little brownish and even a tiny orange-ish spot on one side where his rear "knees" fold up, and maybe it's rubbing the skin just inside his shell. He is eating, swimming and basking, and he is very friendly. While I do believe we have been over feeding him, he seems like a very healthy little guy to me. He calms down when he hears my voice and lets me gently pet his head and hold his front fin. His tank is clean and the temp is fine. But my daughter is so incredibly worried about her "Ty-Ty" and I really want to put her mind at ease. I really can't afford the vet fee right now (I feel sooooo bad about this!), and I honestly don't feel like it's necessary. If you have any info to share it would be greatly appreciated. I'll try to post a picture if I can get him to cooperate. Mahalo in advance for your guidance!

A picture would definetly help, out of curiosity what is his diet looking like?

I would first make sure you have a positive ID that it is a RES. As for skin color changes, this could be an injured area or a fungal infection. Pics would be helpful if you can provide them.

I just came back from the Humane Society where the (non Herp) vet looked him over. They said they thought it was a fungal infection. But I went to the pet supply store and a very kind lady there said she wasn't so sure. She recommended TC Tetracycline whole tank treatment. I'll try to upload some pix in a few minutes. Mahalo!

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OMG, it looks much worse today. And he didn't want to eat (first time!). But he's very active. Mahalo for your help!

Moose, we have been feeding him Reptimin pellets, krill and shrimp, supplemented with lettuces, grapes & some salmon (which he loved!).

I have no idea what that could be, though it's rapid change makes me want to get it checked out ASAP.

Most likely a fungal infection on the skin of some type. Like steve said try and find a vet asap. In the mean time i would dry dock him. fungal infections thrive off moisture. Eliminating that will slow or stop the growth.

Can you tell me more about dry docking? Do I stop feeding him? For how long?

You completely take him out of his tank and put him into something he cant escape from thats dry and warm, usually with a towel for a bottom. Example I use a 20gallon tank with a layer of old clothing for a soft warm bottom. You just let him in there hours. Returning to the water for a couple hours to rehydrate and feed. My personal dry docking hours 8-10 or more.

Mahalo!