General Care Discussion :: Shell discoloring baby RES

[steve]

How much has he grown since you've had him?

[nismoasfuh]

very little i would say maybe 1/8"

[steve]

How long have you had him? Were his seams like that before?

[nismoasfuh]

almost 3 months. His shell definitely was not like that before which is what prompted me to start this thread. no gold flakes nor wide seams, he had that "perfect" green and yellow baby res shell. I also forgot to mention his plastron, which had very rich, dark, designs contrasting are now starting to fade away as well, like as if someone is scuffing it out with sandpaper...

[steve]

He's probably grown more than 1/8" over 3 months. The plastrons patterns do fade a bit and are replaced by dark brown blotches, but it doesn't happen until they are older... I'd guestimate at 9-12 months.

[nismoasfuh]

well my uncle had this turtle for a few months as well before giving it to me. so Ive "had" it for close to 6 months. but still he definitely is changing a lot of color. He might even be close to a 1 yr old RES. The discoloring is really bothering me however.

[steve]

It's expected of them to haver darker greens and browns when they get older. Males will get even darker when they become melanastic. I'd concentrate my efforts on diet and shell health, making sure there are no infections or retained scutes.

[nismoasfuh]

he has a strct diet of 2 pellets a day and a small piece of dark green romaine lettuce. carrots once a week. I still feel like it may be possible that feeding him even less would be beneficial to his shell condition and health. As i have heard that 1 yr+ old RES's requiring only 1 oe 2 good feedings a week!

here are 2 more pictures to better show his shell condition

[steve]

Just from a limited visual diagnosis, it looks like a bit of fungus starting. The seams might be from fast growth and the scutes look a bit retained but I think this is just what we discussed already. I don't really recall seeing retained scutes like that hatchlings though.

[nismoasfuh]

thanks again for the response, ill keep you guys updated.
I shouldn't bother with the Stress coat and Nolvasan or Sulfa Dip right? at least not yet..

[steve]

I don't think stress coat would be helpful for RES. A Nolvasan scrub couldn't hurt. Sulfa Dip has been off the market, but it would mainly be for preventive use.

[nismoasfuh]

great, thanks again for all the help steve.