Feeding and Nutrition :: Eating Issues

[cutepanda86]

Hello all!

I'm new here and a new proud owner of an RES I call Sheldon.

He hasn't been eating. I've only had him for 6 days but he hasn't eaten. I've tried pellets. He at first didn't seem interested. Then he was interested. Tried to snap at it, missed, and gave up. Then yesterday he managed to snag one and then spit it back out. So today I bought a feeder fish. I put it in the tank but he seems to have made it his buddy inside of dinner.

What should I do?

cutepanda86

[steve]

How big is Sheldon? What's his setup like? Water temperature?

[cutepanda86]

Sheldon is approximately 5 to 6 inches. He lives in a 15 gallon tank with a floating dock, filter, submersible heater, and large rock. The water is about 3 inches deep. The temperature is between 75 and 78, depending on where he is in the tank (I stuck the thermometer in an area where the water doesn't circulate as much so I could see the lowest possible temp).

He has a UVB light which he seems to enjoy as he spends lots of time on his floating dock.

[michaelg]

Sheldon is probably stressed out. Turtles generally don't eat if they are stressed. You need to get a much bigger tank. A 6 inch turtle needs at least a 60 gallon tank. He also needs a lot more than 3 inches of water. 3 inches of water is actually dangerous for him. If he fell off his basking rock and flipped on his back, he'd have a hard time righting himself in only 3 inches of water.

It sounds like you are on the right track, but you need more water. If you can't afford a larger tank like tomorrow, at least fill up your current tank. I'd also recommend getting rid of the rock, it's just wasting space. All he needs is the floating dock. If he can swim around and dive, he'll be a little happier at least until you can get a bigger tank.

-Michael

[cutepanda86]

The vet thought so too, as far as the stressing out part. Removing the rock is no big deal.

Not sure I have room for a 60 gallon tank. The 3 inches doesn't sound like a lot but there is enough water for him to right himself, should he get flipped over, the tank is 24.5" x 12.9" x 13" so 3 inches is almost a 1/3 of the tank. You think I should go to 1/2 or 6"?

Thanks so much for your insight,
cutepanda86

[steve]

At that size, you can positively sex Sheldon to be a female or male. If he's a male, then he won't be getting much larger and a 60-75 gallon tank should really be considered as a forever home. When Petco has tanks on sale, they have 55 gallon tanks on sale for $55. Larger is better, but I'd shoot for that as a minimum.

As for adjusting water height, go at least 6". He might be able to climb out, so you probably have to make a few other changes to the setup.

[cutepanda86]

All right. Sounds like I need to return that 15 gallon tank and get something a little larger. I did have the water up higher and he did try to climb out but perhaps I can readjust the floating dock.

Thank you all very much! I talked to the vet and if he doesn't start eating by Monday, she promised me a slot so I can take him in, just to make sure there isn't something more serious wrong.

[Shelby+Tucker]

Hi!
I have three RES turtles who are to young for me to determine their age. They are only a six-eight months old. The smallest one is about an inch in diameter, while the biggest one is about an inch and three quarters in diamemter leaving the middle one in between. Two of the turtkes live in a one-gallon tank with an inch or two of water and a basking rock with a regualr heat lamp clamped to the top. The remaining turtle is alone (it's my sisters really, she only wanted one) and has a one gallon tank, a basking rock, one inch of water, and a regualr heat lamp. Is this the proper setup for my tutles? If not, what is? Is it ok that two turtles live together while one lives alone? If not what should I do?
I really appreciate an answer...thank you!

[cutepanda86]

Hello Shelby+Tucker! I think this question requires someone with a little more knowledge. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Just so everyone knows, Sheldon ate a little today! I was very excited until I discovered a second worm-like creature in Sheldon's tank. I did a fresh water change yesterday after finding one on Friday and then I found another smaller one today. I have put a call into the vet. I'm very concerned that he was sick when I bought him and then I haven't given him the right conditions... I'm just... I hope the vet can help. Thanks everyone for your help. I'll keep you posted.

[steve]

Has he been pooping? I hope you're able to return it... you can use plastic storage containers when they are smaller.

Shelby+Tucker, you'll be in a difficult situation trying to keep them together when they get older. We recommend 10 gallons per 1" of shell. So just having hatchlings you are looking at much larger tanks right now. As I mentioned above, consider plastic storage containers... you can find them up to 50 gallons.

[cutepanda86]

That's the weird thing, he has. Saturday he made a mess (the feeder fish cleaned it up ) Anyway, I have an appointment with the vet at 3:30 tomorrow. Plastic storage containers for pooping? Sorry did you mean that for Shelby+Tucker?

[steve]

That first part was for you. I'd be more concerned if you found something in the poop, so try to to bag a sample.

This page might help: viewtopic.php?t=25780

[cutepanda86]

Good News! It wasn't in the poop! As nasty as it sounds he had leeches. The doc looked him over and decided that I need to adjust the water and air temps and see what happens. If he still doesn't eat after that, then I have to bring him in again with a sample.

Thanks very much for the link!

[Shelby+Tucker]

Thanks for the help everyone! I now have a biggger 15 gallon tank for my turtles. As I mentioned earlier I had three turtles...unfortunately my smallest turtle of just one inch (Tucker) has passed away on the evening of 2/25/12. I have no idea what happened. The day before, he was floating away happily in his new container (by the way he was the only one that floated..is this okay?)...The next day my cousin came over to my house. He soon noticed that Tucker was the only floater. He decided to try and "help" him sink. He put his hand inside the container and unfortunately held poor tucker down for approximately 5-12 seconds or so. I had no idea this was happening untill i walked in the room. By time I walked in Tucker looked fine from far away floating around happilly. But as I got closer I noticed that Tucker was enlarging his throat like a frog, but bigger than I ever saw him do. I watched him cautiously for 30 minutes. I put him back into his night time container. The next morning as soon as I woke up I forgot to check on him. About an hour later while I was busy in my room I saw him quickly form far away. He looked normal, he wasn't doing "the throat thing" anymore. I was out for a couple of hours. As soon as I got home I moved Tucker, Shelby and my sisters turtle Dude into a big container so they can "bond". I was reading when my mother noticed that Tucker appeared to be dead. I agreed so we decided to have a small funeral for poor Tucker. I am miserable and seeking an answer. I would like to know what killed him. At first I blamed my cousin, but the morning of Tucker's death he appeared to be breathing fine. If it isn't that what could it have been? Please help! Thank You!

[cutepanda86]

^^I'm very sorry to hear that Shelby+Tucker.

I would think the whole "holding him down" wasn't good but I can't really offer anything more than that. Again, I am very sorry.