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small indent on red stripe?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:00 pm
by emilybean
I noticed a few weeks ago that my turtle Mr Bean has an indent on the red stripes of his head. I waited to see what would happen and it seems like they've gotten bigger. The indent on his left side is more prominent than the one on his right. So I took a few pictures.. I googled and searched this forum and couldn't find anything. Maybe it's just his muscle? :| Maybe it' just because he's losing his color? He's about 13 years old. He basks, swims, and eats normally. His water temp is ~72, his basking spot is ~90. He's in a 75 gal tank with about 50 gal of water. Hopefully I'm a little worried over nothing!

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Re: small indent on red stripe?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:25 pm
by steve
Looks normal to me :)

Re: small indent on red stripe?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:07 pm
by emilybean
Really? Oh good thanks! :D

Re: small indent on red stripe?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:13 am
by steve
It's the one that's most noticeable in the 2nd pic (center)? How long has your RES been becoming melanastic? I can barely see any red on my male RES.

Re: small indent on red stripe?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:49 pm
by emilybean
Yep that's it. I wondered if maybe it was a sign of calcium deficiency. I don't know how long he's been turning melanistic, probably a couple years, so since he was ~12. It was a gradual change that I noticed last year or so when I looked at pictures of other RES online and noticed how green and colorful they were compared to Mr Bean :)

Re: small indent on red stripe?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:05 pm
by steve
I don't know what it is. I don't think I would be worried unless there was something more noticeable or it was changing quickly.