General Care Discussion :: Unable to surface?

[RedZz]

There very well could be a RI going on without question and in regards to a neurological disorder you are right in kinda both ways that it could occur at anytime really. More so during the incubation period in the egg prior to hatching but it does occur sometimes during their lives for other unseen reasons and or trauma. If you suspect a RI and since a RI in reptiles can be contagious, I do recommend separation of the two turtles and preventive sterilization of the tank and accessories that they are currently in if nothing more as a safeguard from spreading of the RI. If indeed you feel it is a RI, I asked megan from my old clinic a few days ago to send me out some listed medications to me for both turtles and snakes . Based on your experience and depending on where you live, I may be able to help out. But if you don't have the experience from a previous vet visits or live outside America, I would not be able to help. The turtles well being would be my concern which you could understand I am sure. I am having a custom website built that will include a variety of things from filtration and tank accessories to medications based of course strictly on experience levels. It is not that I need the money because I do not, it is mainly strictly to helping others and being a hobbyist myself. I just ordered a wide variety of things for the site to get started with.

Well, I'm still not sure if it's an RI or not, since there was only a bubble once today. Hasn't happened before. He seems to be a lot better with more water though.

[Tampa Bay Turtle Fan]

It may be a simple fix with keeping it warm then. It does not seem to bad if you do not see a bit more in regards to a RI. Of course it is always better to deal with situations naturally before medical treatment. But I would still go with your plans on the filtration to determine a neurological disorder. But the bubble issue, it seems very minor at this point... Great observation Red.

[RedZz]

He doesn't spin around anymore and when he flips over he's able to flip back. But his head is still pointed weirdly when he's trying to get air.

[RedZz]

This is unrelated, but I'll be getting a new tank in about October. Any good tanks? My turtles are both around 2 inches right now.

[steve]

My previous experience with a neurological case is that it is not something they are born with. I'm sure there are some cases of it happening, but that's not what we're dealing with here. Does he have trouble tracking and picking his food?

[Tampa Bay Turtle Fan]

He doesn't spin around anymore and when he flips over he's able to flip back. But his head is still pointed weirdly when he's trying to get air.

Now that you increased the water level a bit and discovered what you reported above in not spinning anymore, I need to agree with Steve that it is not neurological at this point but the tank set up needed to be adjusted and it still may need to be tweaked some. I believe by doing so, you will see another improvement with him. The flip over and back even in the video was a natural action and one he did well based on the scenario, spinning has stopped , the head pointed weirdly could be one of three possible things but none of these are serious which is outstanding and can be worked out.

Your turtles will grow fast the first year up to four inches and from there they will grow at a slower rate based on diet. I know the general rule of thumb advertised in the ten gallon per inch rule but I personally do not go with that and lean towards many big breeders philosophy while establishing their tubs and enclosures. So you will get mixed opinions I am positive. A 55 to 65 gallon for two would be helpful in October and that should carry them well for another approximate year before the need to upgrade again based on growth rate of course.

[RedZz]

He doesn't spin around anymore and when he flips over he's able to flip back. But his head is still pointed weirdly when he's trying to get air.

Now that you increased the water level a bit and discovered what you reported above in not spinning anymore, I need to agree with Steve that it is not neurological at this point but the tank set up needed to be adjusted and it still may need to be tweaked some. I believe by doing so, you will see another improvement with him. The flip over and back even in the video was a natural action and one he did well based on the scenario, spinning has stopped , the head pointed weirdly could be one of three possible things but none of these are serious which is outstanding and can be worked out.

Your turtles will grow fast the first year up to four inches and from there they will grow at a slower rate based on diet. I know the general rule of thumb advertised in the ten gallon per inch rule but I personally do not go with that and lean towards many big breeders philosophy while establishing their tubs and enclosures. So you will get mixed opinions I am positive. A 55 to 65 gallon for two would be helpful in October and that should carry them well for another approximate year before the need to upgrade again based on growth rate of course.

Are there any specific brands for aquariums that you can recommend to me? I'm going to change the current setup in a few days or so.

My previous experience with a neurological case is that it is not something they are born with. I'm sure there are some cases of it happening, but that's not what we're dealing with here. Does he have trouble tracking and picking his food?

Not really, for a while he did but after I helped him a bit, he's fine now.

[Tampa Bay Turtle Fan]

I am not sure all the name brands on aquariums to recommend, I myself had luck with many over the years. I know for a fact Steve has recommended aquariums I guess based on his experience so I would like to see what he recommends in the brand. I , like you always questioned brands to but when no certain brand was suggested, I went by online reviews and never took the cheapest but not the most expensive either and took the middle price range as a rule of thumb to me personally. Now of course filtration, UVB , UVA and other equipment, of course I always researched that more heavy for the best and reliable products for my fish, snakes, lizards and now into turtles. Better care produces better overall environmental factors in my personal opinion. Lets see what Steve says on a aquarium name brand, I am sure he would.

[RedZz]

Bump.

[steve]

I think Aqueon is a good brand. It also depends on the size of the tank as some manufactures make cheap small tanks.

[RedZz]

Can I get them at PetSmart? I can go to Petco, but it's far so I would prefer not to.

[steve]

I think they and Pet Supplies Plus has it as well or at least price match it.

[RedZz]

I know I'm changing the subject suddenly, but what happened to your turtle with a neurological disorder Steve?

[steve]

It took a few months but he recovered and developed some shell deformities from his poor diet. I had to resort to only minnows since he would give up on his pellets. Live fish was the only thing he would continually make an effort to eat. He was only a couple of months old at the time when it all started and I was very inexperienced.

[RedZz]

It took a few months but he recovered and developed some shell deformities from his poor diet. I had to resort to only minnows since he would give up on his pellets. Live fish was the only thing he would continually make an effort to eat. He was only a couple of months old at the time when it all started and I was very inexperienced.

Is he still living?