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he/she stays in one part of the tank resting on a rock partially submerged in water, sometimes he sticks his head out, usuaully his head's half in his shell and underwater. I'm worried, could he be sick? He's hardly moving, eyes open though. Please help

did you just get him? he could be shy and is still getting used to his new environment. does he swim at all? do you have a UVA light and UVB lights?

yeah, i just got him. Yesterday he swam some but not today (as far as I've seen) . I have UVA.

Do you know the water temp? I think for a hatchling it should be 78-80 f. It says on the site. Before I got my water heater my turtles were less active.

Okay, He's getting used to everything.. Just give him time. You will have to buy a UVB bulb when you get the chance, it is critical for his/her health.

What is the shell length?

Sometimes the little ones under two inches can be a little shy, and wary of new people.

I wouldn't handle the turtle right now unless it's absolutely necessary (like it flips itself on it's back, or the tank needs to be cleaned immediately). UVB would probably make it more active. For now, it might feel very safe in that one spot it stays in. When my turtles were new to the house they had their special places they spent a lot of time in, but they are older now and don't do that anymore.

I hope so. yes, i've done my research and I definitely don't want to cause them stress, not handling them since I got them yesterday to put them in the tank. Thanks.

The other one just keeps trying to escape by swimming into the glass.

gi-sho -- Turtles are very temperature sensitive when it comes to their health and activity. If you have a hatchling keep the water temp at 77 to 78 degrees and the basking at about 90 to 91 degrees with a uvb lighting. Keep the water clean and be patient about him eating. When put in a new environment they may take as long as a week for them the start eating. Start out with pellets and go from there. Good Luck!