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Yesterday, we had construction work at home so I took my turtles from their tank (which is outside and I don't want stuff to fall in there), put them in buckets and took them to the laundry room. But when I put Evergreen in, I found out he was floating! I don't think it's listing, because his whole body was floating evenly. I've kept him in shallow water usually, and the water in the bucket was kind of deep. After a while, the bottom half of him sank. He was having a little bit of trouble diving. After a while, he didn't float and and swimming normally. Sometimes he rears up on his hind legs to poke his nose above the water to breathe. He's eating and acting normally. I heard if a turtle floats, he could be really sick. What's happening?

That sounds normal. Turtles can adjust their buoyancy and they do like to float at the surface. I walk by a pond daily with my dog that's filled with turtles, and you can see them poking their heads out, just floating, all over the pond.

If your turtle is floating, with its limbs and head hanging down, that's bad. If it's angled up, occasionally poking it's head out and swimming, it's a happy turtle!

When he did, his head was poking out, then he put his limbs out then started swimming. He's not floating now. I hope he won't he's alive and well. He felt a little lighter than before.

How big is he?

Turned 3 today, around 4-5 inches

I don't think I would worry about it. LIke ljapa said, they do like to float and can do it effortlessly.

Thanks! I'll check on him for a few more days and give you updates.