Urgent Care :: Help RES won't eat and is not herself

[TurtleMomma64]

My husband's RES is about 3 years old and has been in a 40 gallon tank for about 2 of those years. she has all of her heaters and lights and everything she needs and has been a healthy happy turtle since we got her. However, in the last few days she has stopped eating and swimming around in her tank. She usually goes after her shrimp like she hasn't eaten in days but she will only eat it now if it floats in front of her face. She only swims to the top to breathe and I haven't seen her bask in a while. I'm worried about our little girl and I'm hoping everyone might have some suggestions. I don't know how she would act if she needs to lay eggs?? My husband is working on getting her a box built so she can get in the sand if she needs to, but I'm worried this isn't the problem! HELP PLEASE!!

[steve]

Are there any physical symptoms? Are her eyes clear and open? What's the water temperature?

[TurtleMomma64]

Yes her eyes are open and don't appear swollen or cloudy. Her water temp is 78-79. The only physical symptom I noticed is her stayin in one spot she doesn't really swim around like she normally does.

[jgreerberube]

That sounds like exactly what my RES, Bubbles is behaving... I would really like to know what is going on too...

[steve]

Bump up the water and basking temperatures a little... 2-5 degrees fahrenheit. Have you tried any other foods?

[TurtleMomma64]

Not anything new. we typically feed her a mixture of pellets and shrimp. The pellets are Reptomin select-a-food. Its got mini-sticks, baby shrimp, and baby krill. And as a treat she gets Zoo Med's Can-O-Shrimp which is fresh shrimp that we feed her by spoon. My mom had said something about the PH level in the water not being right makes her fish do this same thing, can that effect our turtle?

[steve]

Poor water quality can have an effect. When was the last time you did a water change? You should also reduce the amount of shrimp that is offered.... it should be a rare treat.

[TurtleMomma64]

My husband changed the water yesterday and she seemed to perk up a little bit. We also talked to the turtle guy at PetCo and he said to put her under her basking light as much as possible to get her warmed up. She is slowly getting better. She is eating more and is swimming more so I think the basking and water change really helped! Thank you so much for your comments

[Nighthawk11]

Is it bad to change the water every month or so? My tank gets so dirty. Whats the best way to keep the water warm? Are there underwater heaters?

[TurtleMomma64]

My husband changes our water when it gets murky. I'd say its roughly every month or so. But if it gets dirty sooner he changes it sooner. And he has a water heater that goes in the water. You can find them at any PetCo or Pet Smart.

[steve]

When the water is changed, is it allowed to warm up and to be de-chlorinated?

[TurtleMomma64]

If you were directing that question to me steve yes we do lol we put her in a kitty pool with luke warm water and her basking light and he puts some kind of de-chlorinator in the water. Also happy to report she ate all her food this morning and is swimming around like her happy little self again

[penelope]

Happy to hear she is swimming around.

My husband changes our water when it gets murky. I'd say its roughly every month or so. But if it gets dirty sooner he changes it sooner.

Waiting until the water is murky kind of means the filter has done all it can do (i.e., can't filter out the gunk)...and clear water does not always equate to healthy water.
It is amazing how much water affects their health.
Maybe consider getting on a regular schedule for *rinsing* the filter media so it, and the water, stay happy.