Urgent Care :: turtle behavior odd, lethargic

[swimlib]

I've had 2 RES for about 6 months. One is acting fine but the other is exhibiting odd behavior since our move to a new apartment four days ago.

He is about 6 inches long, and he has been sitting at the bottom of the tank all day. He has pulled his back legs in and curled his tail around. when moving around, he keeps his legs pulled in unless it is absolutely necessary to propel himself. He seems to be eating fine, but I am worried about him since normally he is very active and happy.

Any ideas on what could be wrong?

[DavidY]

Any kind of changes can be stressful for a RES. Some turtles are more sensitive than others and will pout for a few days. The pulling in of the rear legs and tails might be an indication of something else though. Have you seen him poop at all lately? Do you have any gravel in the tank? And what are your water temperatures?

[swimlib]

I've seen poop in the tank, but I don't know if it was all from the other turtle or not. I don't have any gravel in the tank. Our thermometer broke so I don't currently know the temperature, but we have another on the way. The water and heater situation is all the same as before though, so there shouldn't be any drastic changes in temperature.

[DavidY]

Hopefully your turtle is just a little stressed by the move and will be back to normal in another day or two. Have you tried taking him out of the tank and let him crawl around on the floor for a bit? That way you can look for any injury or other problems with his legs that might be bothering him.

[megcornell]

Can you describe your tank set up more? Maybe he was injured in the move?
If it is indeed just stress, I'd give him a few more days, and I don't think I'd let him out of the tank quite yet, that may just add to the stress and complicate things.
If after a week or so you see no improvement a trip to the vet may be needed to rule out injuries.

[marisa]

Just curious, but if one turtle is 6 inches long, how long is the other one? How big of a tank are they in? The legs and tail tucked in make me wonder if the other turtle isn't perhaps bothering him.

[swimlib]

The other turtle is smaller, maybe 4 inches long. They've been together since I got them - they get along great and play and everything. Up until a couple days ago, they were both constantly swimming around or sunning on the landing. The tank has a filter on one side, plenty of room to swim around, and a landing under a heat lamp on the other side.

The turtle in question is still able to be active when he has a reason to. When it's feeding time, he starts frantically swimming and trying to climb up the side of the tank like his old self. Or if I give him any kind of attention, he perks up and follows my finger or whatever. But when left to his own devices, he just chills at the bottom of the tank with his legs pulled in (looking over right now, he has his arms pulled in to). The other little turtle is swimming around like normal, as active as before, but leaving the big one alone - he isn't harassing him.

I'm keeping my eye on him, hoping its just stress that will wear off. I'm gonna have to start looking for a vet incase there's no change by the end of the week. Anyone have a good one to recommend in the Boston area?

[swimlib]

Holy crap, I just saw the little one attacking the big one's leg! They've gotten along so great for months, every since I got them, what could be causing this?!?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Probably size difference. If it continues then I would seperate them before something worse happens..Two turtles, 4 incher and a 6 incher can realy do some heavy damage to themselves..

How big is the tank?

[steve]

Anything could be the caused, it could just easily be a difference in personalities. Anyway, its usually best to separate them, even though its an unfortunate situation for the owner

[swimlib]

They've been so good for so long, it's just shocking that this has just started now. It's even more shocking that it's the little one being the bully. The big one had intimidated the little one a few times in the past, but just like flipped his front flippers at him in a weird fashion, or nipped at him but didn't actually catch him in his mouth - those things only happened very rarely, and in general they got along fine.

This, this was brutal. The little one wouldn't leave the big one alone, just kept chasing after his feet. I saw him get a really good bite on one of the legs, just like holding on. I immediately separated them when I saw that. It's been about an hour since the separation, and the big guy is 100% more mobile. He got spooked a couple times and brought his legs back in when I was making some noise, but he'd look around and bring them out again within a minute or so. Right now he's swimming around like his old self.

The little one is in a small tank I had around right now, and he doesn't look pleased. I'll have to figure some kind of temporary home for him. I wonder if I'll ever be able to introduce them back into the same tank again - it was great having them together, and they used to get along so well like I said before. But at least I know the big guy isn't sick or injured, that's a relief.

[camee1991]

That is so sad! Im sorry for you! And your TURT! But at least you SAW what was happening! You did the best thing by seperating them. Good luck. Sounds like turt is doing better already. You may wanna bring him out and let him walk to see if you can look at his legs and make sure he isnt "really" injured and not just scared; so that a vet visit may be in order. I hope not!

[steve]

Honestly, I was surprised too when it happened to me. Nearly 4 years without biting, now I have Jaws re-enactments in my tank. I am dreading it, but I knew it could happen at any time. At 4", they can do serious damage... I agree that its good to catch it now and take the appropriate action.

[SpotsMama]

That's too bad about the turtles. But they definitely have individual personalities. Apparently the smaller one has a more aggressive personality. It can happen.

[DavidY]

Ok...if I were a turtle psychologist......I would say that the little one is acting out aggressively because he's upset about the move to the new apartment. He's lashing out at the only other "person" available, his tank mate. Separating the two of them is a good idea. Maybe spend some extra time with the little guy, take him out of the tank and hold him, talk to him softly (I know they can't hear, but if they can understand facial expressions, body language, emotion, vibes, etc...?) let him crawl around the floor and sit with him, let him explore the new room that their tank is in. Do this a few times and see if he calms down. Maybe let both turtles crawl around the floor together at this point (let them get reaquainted on neutral ground). Then try reintroducing him back with the other turtle and watch closely to see how they interact. In the mean time the bigger turtle will have a chance to regain his composure and confidence. If the aggression starts back up, he might assert himself and let the little guy know that he's not going to tolerate it. Hopefully the tables won't turn the other way (the bigger one harrassing the little one).