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Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 7:42 pm
by jonlmarcella
My 5-6 inch 3 year old RES Tina Turtle is lying at the bottom of the tank. She doesn't want to eat. She will pop up and become active when I walk by but seems lethargic.
I have a second turtle, Ike Turtle, and he is acting fine.

The tank is a 70 gallon
The filtration is an external canister that is working properly
I've been feeding them reptomin pellets and occasionally blood worms
The temperature in the tank is good although it has been cold lately
There is a proper light setup with uva and uvb

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 7:46 pm
by jonlmarcella
It's possible that she just ate Manny the Minnow, as he's MIA. Also, there is a significant "protein slick" on the surface of the tank. I notice that this develops after about a week of feeding and no water changes but it seems more pronounced than usual.

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:06 pm
by happycamper
I'd get a heater in there if you don't have one, I'd think cool water could make a turtle lethargic.

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:32 pm
by steve
Can you add more specifics about the tank? It could also be seasonal affective disorder.

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 5:28 pm
by jonlmarcella
What is the water temperature? 78
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? 2/3
Are you using a water conditioner? NO
Are you using any filtration? Yes, Fluval 305

What is the basking temperature? Not sure.
Is there a basking light? Yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yeah. Both turtles have regular basking behaviors.
What kind is it or what is it made out of? It's a tile (looks like this) Image
Is there a UVB light? Yes

What have you been trying to feed it? Reptomin
When was the last time your turtle ate? This morning

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? Though it was 70 but it looks like it is 55 according to an older post here.
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Yes

Tina Turtle is much more active this morning. I looked up seasonal affective disorder and I suppose that could be it, however, Ike and Tina seem to have the same personalities year round.
Maybe she's fine but it was pretty alarming to see here lying on the bottom like that. I'll keep an eye on the situation. Thanks for the replies. :D

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 5:31 pm
by jonlmarcella
Also, for those of you who might have been concerned, Manny Minnow is alive and well.

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:57 pm
by apondfortimmy
jonlmarcella wrote:Also, for those of you who might have been concerned, Manny Minnow is alive and well.


I just wanted to say that this made me smile.

And I hope your turtles feel better soon.

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:31 pm
by steve
Glad to hear things are almost back to normal. How long has been acting like this?

Re: Tina Turtle is acting sick

PostPosted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:15 am
by jonlmarcella
She was only doing it for a few hours on Saturday. She hasn't repeated the behavior since.