General Care Discussion :: Turtle seems really stressed! Please help!

[Ms. Payne]

I was given 2 RES last Sept by one of my students. I got them set up in a 20 gal aquarium. Last week I built a new habitat from a 40 gal pond liner and split the turtles up. I left one in the old tank in a new home. That one is fine though I hear she's swimming round more than usual. The male (I believe just under a year old) seems very stressed out; he hides rather than coming up for food and hasn't climbed up to bask. It's been a week. I don't know what's normal or what to do?! Please help! How long should it take this little guy to acclimate? Thanks for any advice,

Ms. Payne

[steve]

Hi Ms. Payne. The male is in the pond liner? Can you post a picture of the setup? Is this indoors or out?

[Ms. Payne]

Here's a picture; we're indoors. The temp reads 78, filter is working. He still hides whenever I come up to the pond. He used to eat dried shrimp and mealworms out of my hand. It's been 8 days now. I never see him eat, sometimes I find food not touched. He might be eating a little bit but I don't know.

Should I get the other turtle back from the new owner? I didn't want 2 turtles because I didn't want them to fight or mate. Is he in shock from being solo? How long should I wait before moving him back to a standard aquarium. I made this habitat because I heard it was better, perhaps he isn't old enough? Help!

[steve]

It can take a bit for them to get used to a new habitat. It looks pretty nice. Maybe increase the water levels a little?

[devilduck]

Looks great to me! Turtles are stubborn and don't like change. Give it some time.