Feeding and Nutrition :: she doesnt like Reptomin...

[my_manuelita_turtle]

My turtle hasnt been eating as much, I have all the things she needs (tank, temperature, filter, basking...) So I followed the advice of soaking the food sticks in tuna juice. And she went crazy with the smell. The only problem is... she bites the stick once, but inmediately she spits the food. I tried soaking the lettuce in the tuna juice, she had some bites but she wasnt very exited. After I put the food in the tank, she starts looking for food like crazy. She swims all over the place, but she wont eat the food pellets. I know they are very important for nutrition so Im concerned. But if I put a bite of a shrimp or a very small quantity of tuna, she eats that in seconds. I've offered her carrots, but she didnt try it. I put a food stick every day, and now there are lots of them in the bottom of the tank. What should I do, not to put any protein on the tank and wait until she´s starving so she will have to eat the pellets?

[marisa]

If you're trying regular size Reptomin, are you breaking the pieces up so your turtle can easily eat them? One of my turtle will spit out Reptomin if it's become really soft---I think it sticks to his beak when he tries to bite it. If you're giving the pellets in tuna juice when they're really soft, you might try not soaking them very long.

You also could try some different pellets--some turtles prefer brands other than Reptomin.

[my_manuelita_turtle]

I soak the pellet for like a minute in the tune juice, so its hard when I put it in the tank. I also put some cuttlebone soaked in the tuna juice, but she wasnt interested.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I would soak the reptomin till it is very soft, then mix it (literally, mix it up) with tuna. Feed with baby spoon (or with your fingers, if your turtle is less than 4" long). Eventually (with subsequent feedings) add less & less of the tuna till turt is eating 100% reptomin.

Or you can try some of the other pellets on the market like Mazuri or Wardleys. Some turtles just like different pellets and nowadays, most of the turtle pellets out there are very nutritious & will do just fine.

[my_manuelita_turtle]

So theres is no problem if I give tuna to my turtle every day? That a great idea to mix the foods, thank u!

[marisa]

The idea is to decrease the amount of tuna until your turtle will eat just the pellets. I wouldn't start out with that much tuna if you tried this. Over time, a high protein diet will cause too fast a grow, which can lead to shell and health problems. Tuna is high in protein as is Reptomin (relatively).

[TAHNEE]

Mine wouldn't eat the sticks either. I had to by the hatchling food.