Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:28 am Skin Shedding
Angelina is shedding again. I've had her since late July, and this is the second time I've noticed her skin shedding. I know it is normal, but I don't know how often is normal. The shedding is as described in the "Health" section of this site as seen below:
Skin Shedding
Shedding is natural and normal for RES. Shedding skin has a thin, wispy and translucent appearance. Most often it is around the neck and the front and rear limbs. It is very easily visible underwater. Excessive shedding is not normal and is usually the result of water temperatures being too high, high protein diets, inadequate basking and fast growth. It could be a symptom of poor water quality or a developing infection. Proper diet and water conditions should be introduced to help avoid this.
What I don't know is what excessive shedding means. Does that mean how much they are shedding or how often?
Angelina probably has a shell length of 2 to 2 1/2 inches. She is in a 10 gallon tank (she will be moving to her 125 gallon after the first of the year).
I checked her water quality last night. I had been using the sticks you dip in but read somewhere on here they weren't accurate. That being the case I ordered a test kit with the tubes and drops. I just got it day before yesterday. The water PH is 7.6 (not really seen a lot about what PH level should be for a RES). Her amonia level is .25 ppm. Actually the color was more between 0 and .25 ppm, but after me looking at it, having my hubs look at it and my six year old we went with .25 ppm. Nitrite is 0 ppm. Nitrate is 80 ppm. I'm pretty sure the Nitrate level is too high. The instructions with the kids said 40 ppm or less for fish. Is that what it should be for a RES too? Could the Nitrate level cause excessive shedding?
Her water temp is 76 to 77 degrees. Her basking area temp ranges from 88 to 92 (depends on how high her basking area is due to water evaporation/addition of water).
So is the fact she is shedding a second time in a little less than four months considered excessive shedding? Also, are the additives they suggest adding to bring nitrate levels down safe, or should I just change the water and see if they come down (think the booklet said some drinking water has nitrates in it - think I might have read that on the Algae section too)? Also I've not noticed her shedding scutes, but I'm not totally sure what I should be looking for.
Oh, she eats pellets everyday (about 5). I try to feed her leaf lettuce everyday (occassionly she will only get pellets if the evening has been really hectic). I also give her carrot shreds once or twice a week. She has cuttle bone that I just leave floating in her water.
I'm just trying to make sure I am not doing something wrong that will harm her in the long run (or short run for that matter).
1 RES: Angelina
1 Beta: Simon (really Simon #2 but my daughter doesn't know Simon #1 died)
1 Miniature Schnauzer: Sugar