Feeding and Nutrition :: hatchings not eating?

[sanoske312]

hey guys i just got a hatchling i was in china town n saw like 10 in a little box they were treated like crap i just feel in love with one so i took him home hes fully active he just wont eat i got him yesterday hes not really a shy turtle, he walks around on me all day when hes out of his tank, his eyes look fine ,the water temp is 82 and the over all temp in his tank is between 90 and 92, hes currently an inch and hes in a 10 gal tank which is half filled with a 24 gallon filter which he seems 2 love he sits on the output and it blows him around and he goes back for more i also have a bubbler in there that he seems to like , im just concerned that he isn't eating ive tryed reptomin baby pellets in tuna water he still wont eat them

my gf decided to name him leo after her favorite ninja turtle since i got to name the one at her house after mine

anyway if anyone has any suggestions please let me know i just want him 2 grow to be a healthy turt

[LeslieMW]

the only way i got my stubborn hatchling to eat was live feeder fish (rosy red minnows) i would dangle the live fish in the water and it would gladly eat it.

once it's appetite got going, she would eat tuna and lettuce and other meat..but still no pellets.

but i really do suggest something live. i even got her some mealworms and she LOVES them.

good luck! but get, definitely something live will get it to eat!

[untsmurf]

I would put off the live feeders for now. Most new turtles won't eat. It takes them a few days to a week to get accustomed to their new surroundings before they start eating. Unless he's ill or has some sort of impaction, he won't starve himself.

So just sit tight and wait and he'll come around.

Also, being that he is so young, you'll want to avoid bringing him out a lot. Especially since he's new. He doesn't know you or his surroundings, so bringing him out will only stress him out more and will delay his acclimation.