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Before we had Herman, Lily was sort of despondent. She was eating and going but... that's it. No basking, etc.

Since then, we got a bigger tank. We got herman. She was SO happy the first few days. Following him, sniffing him... even BASKING. About a week later, she's back to her old ways.

She eats. And she sits in a corner behind the filter. She does NOTHING else. (Except poop!) I have put in driftwood, larger docks, plants, even a ping pong ball at someone's suggestion.

When I take her out to walk around, she just runs for the walls and finds a place to hide. I read, somewhere, that this means she is stressed. So I stopped doing that. I try to hand feed her, and nothing.

Now, the problem is, Herman goes looking for her. When he finds her, he just sits near her, too. Suggestions?

(also on another note: I noticed some posts commenting on the claws of a male and how long they were, as if that were rare. You don't trim turtle claws, right??)

No, don't trim the claws. It is part of their sexual characteristics, and you are also inviting infection by doing so.

I don't remember how big your upgrade was. Is it possible that Herman is the cause for Lily's stress? Does he spend too much time around her? Does she have somewhere that she can go to get away from him and call it her own?

Just some thoughts, although I don't know that they are the answers to your issue.

Some turtles just have a shy personality. Do you see any signs of bullying?

No, you don't trim turtle nails

Well, she was like that before we got him. She actually improved for a week or so once we got him. So I don't think it is him. And, honestly, he gets bored with her. He'll look for her and find her in the corner. Then he'll either stack on her or sit behind her for a while (10 minutes?). then he goes off aon his own looking for something to do

It's a 55 gallon tank, up from a 20 gallon tank (she's still fairly small). I don't know what else I can do. I just bought a filter... it's a....aquaclear 110? or something? I wonder if the little waterfall won't make her more alert. We'll see, when it arrives. (ebay--$35!!)

I'm glad to hear you don't trim! I can barely do my dogs!! I see absolutely NO signs of bullying. I've been watching closely (they're in my office, I"m here all day). During feeding they mingle freely, and then go their separate ways when they've had enough. I only see Herman, once in a while, looking for Lily. And then, as I said he just kinda hangs with her for a bit. She used to follow him all the time. For about a week.

She is definitely shy. But does that mean she will stay in that spot rather than move at all? The water is between 75-78. The basking is around 90ish.

That's another thing: she never basks. NEVER. Herman does for about 10 minutes at a time. He's very active, and his playmate is harshing his mellow, man.

Is there anything I can do? I postd pix in the picture forum. I have fake plants for privacy etc. and oh boo hoo. I want HAPPY TURTS!!! Maybe I'll just tell her that. "Lily, be happy. Okay? Be HAPPY. Thanks."

mabye that lily needs a tank of her own or tired of watching the same surrdings the same thing over and over agian

bri456789, have you had this happen to one of your pets? what did you do? She was like this in her own tank, but I'd love advise and how she can see new things... taking her out all she sees is a corner of the room.

yes but see i put my turtles out side in a little kiddie pool not much water in it so in the summer/spring i do that and let them sun bask

GREAT idea! I'll keep that in mind come spring. Too cold now, though

Maybe she doesn't like the fact that you can see her. Some turtles REALLY like their privacy when basking. Is there anyway you can put something above or around the basking area so she feels "safer"? Something that most keepers forget is that we may know we're safe but they don't. To them we are HUGE monsters and possibly looking to eat them. I had this issue with one of my turtles. You may want to put some paper or something over the glass that is near the basking dock.. and put some cardboard or something more stable on the edges and build up a sort of wall so that she can't see you while she's basking. Just some thoughts

I"ll give that a shot. But she really doesn't even try to go up there. She doesn't leave the corner. Well, except for food. I'll keep you posted. I'll put up some paper, and see how the filter does. Thanks, guys.

If you can, try using some aquarium silicone and glueing some fake plants to it, this would help with some "privacy issues" im thinging of the same thing now for mine, but i cant take the dock away because one has been basking all day today, and most of yesterday... at least when i'm around