Urgent Care :: gulp bubble

[x3shift]

How big is your turtle? about one inch
How long have you had it? about 2-3 weeks

What is the water temperature? ~78 F
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? 3/4 tank full
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? ~87-91
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? big rock
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? its been eating baby reptomin and carrots
When was the last time your turtle ate? today once a day for reptomin and carrots

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 10g
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? no

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? sometimes lopsided swimming like maybe 2-3 degrees (guessing);

what really concerns me is he floats and he takes one big gulp then when he puts his head back down into the water he lets go of it and then u see alot of bubbles coming out of his mouth.

whats normal is that he still basks, is active (swimming, catching fish), eats his food.

is gasping for air when their throat is moving fast but their mouth is close?

[CountryGirl68]

If he's under water when the bubbles comes out and you see his little throat moving but his mouth is closed, he's not gasping for air. I've figured out with my turtle that the moving throat action is probably him "breathing" under water. Turtles can carry oxygen from the air in the tissue in their mouth - that's how they can stay underwater for short periods of time.

Is he lopsided everytime he's in the water or only when he's swimming?

[x3shift]

oh thank goodness then. mm when hes floating hes not lopsided but when hes swimming sometimes hes lopsided and sometimes he isnt.

[CountryGirl68]

Mine sometimes swims lopsided but it isn't anything to be concerned about. I notice it when he's making "rounds" through the water. Here's how I can better explain it: Imagine a human swimmer. No matter what, if he's making turns in the water, the body will automatically appear lopsided. I think its the same with the turtles. Just a way to manuever in the water.