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Hi guys,

I've been reading a lot of sites on RES care and some discussions in this forum. I was wondering how much cichlid sticks to feed my res. He's almost 2 inches now. I've had him for a month now. He seems healthy. My feeding list is as follows:

Every other day: 3 reptomin sticks
Every other day: jello shots (consisting of lettuce, squash, sweet potato, small slice of apple) about 2x or 3 times turtle's head
Is this too much?
Once a week: about 5 cichlid sticks in lieu of either pellet or jello shot.

I couldn't get him to eat fresh lettuce. I tried squash. Seems to like it as he bites on it but ends up spitting it out. I think it is too hard for him although I've sliced it into small pieces. I tried boiling the squash but he won't touch it. Tried shredded carrots but he won't touch it either. So I tried the jello shot. At first he gobbled it up instantly. Then the next time won't eat it at first. He scatters it aroung the tank but would eat it eventually since I provide no other food.

I've also started giving him cuttlebone every other day. Maybe half or less than the turtle's head.

Please comment. I want to give him a balanced diet. This is my second try at RES care so I want him to have a long life. My first turt died before a month since I didn't know how to properly care for him at that time and left him at someone else's care the day after 1 bought him. I had to travel for a week and when I came back the turt wasn't eating. Had his eyes closed. Tried to revive but it was too late.

I want to do it right this time.

Thanks in advance

Any particular reason you're using cichlid sticks? If you want to add a bit variety try alternating between different turtle pellets. With veggies and plants, you can try fresh water aquatic plants or try to use a veggie clip with the lettuce. Welcome to the site!

Thanks Steve. Yes, i use for variety and as a treat. Unfortunately, the aquatic plants listed here are not available in pet shops here. Im not sure whether the aquatic plants sold here would be safe for turtles. Sadly and as expected pet shops are not knowledgeable on turtle care. They also dont sell equipment for turtles. Had to improvise on my set up. For pellets they only have saga and reptomin. Tried feeding bits of lettuce but he wont touch it even if i leave it for a day and not give him anything to eat. Again, they dont sell lettuce clips around here. Im thinking of making a jello shot made from just lettuce. I would like to do the tough love approach but im worried he might get sick. Ive only had him for more than a month and im kinda building his stamina since he was not kept in the best condition in the pet shop

Most freshwater plants are safe, but you can also order them online. The jello shots work well for most people, its worth a try. It might be messy, so you might want feed in a separate container.

Not sure where you're from but I'm able to find water lettuce (floating plant) at my local greenhouse / garden center.

@veipacray - Im from the Philippines. We have what we call as water spinach or swamp cabbage. This grows in areas with lots of water. Checked the nutritional content. No oxalic axid and good calcium to phosphorous ratio. Problem s
is he wont eat it. Tried coating with tuna oil. Still wont touch it

Got a difficult one here. My turt Henry eats the jello shots but takes a while. Initially he ignores it, scatters it around the tank. Leave him for a few minutes and when i go backto check on him the jello is nowhere in sight. Turns out they are stuck under the basking log. Have to get it out. At this point he eats it. Takes 30 minutes for the entire process, compared to pellets which get consumed in a minute

I've also tried feeding cooked chicken but he didn't touch it. Same with shrimp. Also tried apple bits once but he's not interested. This morning put a mustard leaf but he just went to smell it and then ignored it. I'll just have to see what happens when I get home.