General Care Discussion

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 4:22 pm **Turtle flailing in water**

So Kenny was swimming fine until yesterday. He seems not to want to get in the water, and when he slides in or I set him in, he seems to act like he can't swim and flails about till he gets back to his dock. But when he's on his dock he acts like he's stuck and wants to go into the water, every once in awhile he starts flapping his arms like he's swimming? His water is set to 78 degrees and his basking area is 85 degrees. He's not breathing weird or showing any other signs of anything.. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 5:52 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

How big is it? What sex? If it's a girl I wonder if it's gravid and trying to lay eggs.

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:26 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

He is 4 inches, and he is defiantly a he...

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:22 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

My turtle does this sometimes. He can swim, he just likes checking things out with his head above water and I think is also trying to get attention. Did you put something new in his tank or move something?

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:39 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Maybe the filter? When we got him a earlier this week, we couldn't get the filter to work, so he went a 2 days without a filter, then I raised his water enough to get the filter to work, and raised his basking platform. The first day after that change, he was swimming around fine, but then yesterday I noticed he started flailing when he would go into the water, and has done it today also. But also does the "swimming" on his basking area.

That picture is when there was no filter running. Its not a high power filter either, an Aqueon (came with a turtle kit we purchased) he's not in the tank of the turtle kit though, just using the filter for now.

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:55 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Is he staring/looking at you when he does this?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 5:34 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Nope, he's doing it towards the back of the tank

Edit: And after I posted this he was doing it in the front too, kind just everywhere

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 4:36 am **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Ok so I was getting ready to head to bed, and thought I would check in on Kenny. He's sleeping on his basking platform, but has one eye shut, the other open? I did google this and found that people say it can be normal, but with the other stuff going on, I just wanted to make sure.. its kinda freaky lol

I'm sorry if I am being over cautious and asking about every little thing, just very weary now after what we've been through in the past 2 weeks

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:34 am **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

I'm not sure why only one eye is open... maybe he's sleepy. Most RES need to be in a very dark room to sleep. I wouldn't worry about flailing, unless he seemed to be in distress and it doesn't occur often.

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:19 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Thanks Steve!

He seems to do it every time he's in water. He'll swim for a sec, and then its like he realizes he's in the water and starts to panic all over the place till he reaches his dock. And I am not seeing him go into the water willingly. I really don't think the current is too much, there are little feeder guppies and goldfish in there and they are not having any issues.

This morning both eyes are open, so at least I know one wasn't swollen shut.. Ugh, I feel like I just can't do anything right with him. I've taken care of reptiles for years now.. Owning 2 balls, a corn snake and leopard geckos, all of which are very healthy.. And I have had goldfish live for 10 years.. Maybe I am just being overly motherly with him... I just don't want anything to happen to him too.. my youngest is 9 and loosing his baby (even only having it for a week) was devastating.

Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:01 am **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Has he been eating? Are you using a UVB light? If so, what kind?

Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 12:56 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Well it was the filter. My husband turned it off this morning and as soon as he did he jumped right in the water and was swimming and lounging in there for about 15 minutes before he got back out. So now we have to figure out what to do.... lol can't afford to go buy a new filter just cause he doesn't like the one we have. Maybe we'll have to have the filter on for a few hours, then off for a few hours.. I don't know.

And if he's been eating its been after every one has gone to sleep. So hopefully now he will now that the filter is off. Do they usually eat at night or during the day or doesn't matter? Just so I know when would be a good time to turn the filter on and maybe work it around his schedule.

Yes have a UVB light.. Its a Reptiglo 5.0...

Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:41 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

The filters are the noisiest and have the strongest stream when you first replace them, so he may just be adjusting to it. Where is the filter positioned in the tank?

I have noticed that my turtle has favorite spots within the tank, and I just keep the filter in the corner away from them. He sometimes flails under the filter, but I think he enjoys the feeling of the stream coming down on him.

The filter is important. I would leave it on and see if he gets used to it.

Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:09 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

The filter is one one side of the tank, and his basking area is on the other. How long does it usually take for them to get used to the filter? Also how long can he go without eating if he won't get into the water with the filter? I tried feeding him in a separate tank, but he just tried to get out of that and showed no interest in the food.

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:06 pm **Re: Turtle flailing in water**

Can you post a picture of the entire setup? Also, the gravel should be removed.

General Care Discussion :: Turtle flailing in water

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