General Care Discussion :: Baby Turtle doesn't like water??

[sbrit94]

So I know this is a RES site but I have a baby YBS turtle that absolutely hates water... well... he freaks out when ever I put him in water and he immediately tries to cling on to something like plants, filter, dock, or my hand. He is about an inch long (in size) in a heated 20 gallon tank with a floating basking dock and basking bulbs. I wanted to know why he freaks out so much. Please help me ASAP.

*I have previously owned 2 RES turts and when they were my new YBS size they wouldn't leave the water.

[Madly]

Hi
What is the water temperature? Maybe it's too cold?

[ljapa]

In addition to temperature, do you know that the tank has cycled? It's possible there's a build up in the water causing irritation.

Has it always done this?

As to YBS vs RES, the care is practically identical. The turtles can even interbreed.

[penelope]

Try real shallow water so that he doesn't have to swim and can poke his little head out while standing. Put the doc on the bottom to so he can walk up on it.
Since it will be hard to use the heater or filter, it would just be a short term thing. For his size the water will be pretty shallow so the basking lights out to create enough warmth... again, very short term. When he becomes comfortable in a shallow water, gradually add more over time.