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A friend had to rehome her turtle, I offered to but someone offered before me so they got it.

Now the woman who got it contacted me and asked if I was still interested. She handed me the turtle in a sand pail, a 30 gallon tank, a lid and a floating dock.

She kept a hospital pan of water in the tank with this turtle and that was his only swimming.

I went to the store today and bought a thermometer, basking light, and filter. He is a bit big for his floating dock so I think I will be replacing it, but it works for now. Oh and I also bought a cuttlebone for him.

He has this whiteness to his shell that concerns me a bit, especially seeing that I know he was not kept in optimal condition. I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips,(first time turtle owner) and if you can tell me if I should be concerned about his shell or not.

( I will post pics in the reply, I need to go take some)

Honestly, to me, that looks like it's about to shed. Brixie had that before and I tried not to con cern myself with it and it knda went away. Wait for another opnion before forgetting about it though.

Also, for a general idea, every inch on the little dude's shell should add 10 gallons of water for your tank. (Ex. my turtle, Brixie, has a shell about 6 inches long, so she should be in a 60 gallon tank, so make sure not to limit it too much.)

I know his tank is too small, he is at least 6 inches ( I just got him a few hrs ago and haven't spent much quality time with him or measured him)

I know he is at least 5 yrs old because the "original" owner had him for 3-4 yrs and she got him from someone else.

It's fungus.

steve wrote:It's fungus.

Do you have any suggestions on how to treat it?

I used an old baby toothbrush to clean his shell. I've read that iodine, turtle final cream and appropriate drying time will heal it. Does that sounds like a good starting point?

Quickest way is to get some antibiotic cream from the vet.

Just made an apt. Thanks

The says that he overall looks very healthy, it isn't fungus it is poor nutrition and dirty water.

Lots of calcium, varied diet, water with a filter and uvb light. None of which he had at his last home, poor guy.

I also feel like I need to buy a new filter already because he was so dirty, the foam is tinted brown and gross.

I'd have to disagree with the vet here. We've seen dozens of cases of this on here, this is a pretty clear example of it.