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someone gave me a RES about two months ago, and today i bought a second. i was cleaning the tank in the tub, and when the first one met the second, it stuck its flippers in front of the new one's face and shook rapidly. what does this mean? btw... the first turlte is 2 1/2-3 inches, and the second is about 1 inch. i bout the second one at a petland, they had the legal notice, but only tiny turtles... is this going to be an issue?

The 4 inch law only applies to those selling not the ones buying so no issue there. The "waving" can either be the mating dance {I doubt that, yours are too little} or it can be an aggression thing...kinda I'm in charge deal. Watch them close because if they keep it up it could quickly turn into biting if one doesn't back down from the other. If it gets to biting or any aggresive behaviour then they will need to be seperated. Also the more room they have the less likely to fight, they can establish their own territory's.

How big is your set up? I tend to believe it is aggression also.

You probably didn't realize that there is a 90 day minimum recommended quantine. Since you have had your other turtle for awhile, you know he isn't sick, but RES are good at hiding illnesses and it can take as much as 3 months of illnesses to show. You don't want to compromise the healthy habitat you have established already.

I have a 10 gallon tank. the first turtle is about 1 year old to my knowledge ( i am the third to have ownership) and when i got it, i had a tiny 2 gallon tank with rocks on the bottom, no lights, and he was living in the dark bathroom floor, sometimes the tub. yesterday, i finally filled up my 10 gallon and got him this buddy and a dock. i'm giving them 3 hour sulfa baths for the next week and i bought this thingy that lets anitbacterial medication out into the water. i also bought a pump and some grass for the tank. i've had a light for a little while now, but the water level has been low until yesterday. i fear i may have stunted some growth, or induced a disease, he still only eats freeze dried shrimp, and refuses pellets. i'm glad i found this page, because my little one is starting to act happier.

It is probably aggression due to such a small space. If your first turtle is about 3", you need a 30 gallon tank. Adding the other turtle, I would recommend no less than 55 gallons. Once they grow, you're looking at about 240 gallons. You should invest in as big as you can now.

Why are you giving sulfa baths? Unless is was recommended by a vet I wouldn't do it. You turtle can build a tolerance to it and then if it is needed it won't be beneficial.

What is the thing that lets antibacterial medication into the water?

I wouldn't put any type of "medication" into the water unless you to the turtle to a qualified vet who as suggested it.

I completely agree with missibsu. "You turtle can build a tolerance to it and then if it is needed it won't be beneficial. "

the sulfa bath says use it twice on new arrivals and the medicine thing is called Dr. Turtle and it's white and in the molded shape of a turtle. it says to use it to prevent bacterial infections. i read somewhere that 90% of RES had salmonella, if not some form of other disease. i saw one at petco with an eye closed shut, so i wanted to be safe... i've had salmonella b4, and i wanted to die, so id on't want ne1 else to get it from my turtles. arent large tanks expensive?

The doctor turtle tablets are ineffective, if not harmful. If you want to make sure that your turtle is in good health, your money would better be spent on a vet check up. There are a list of recommended herp vets in the urgent care section.

Its better to take your turtle to go to a vet than to guess on your own and hurt your turtle. Alot of products out there are created just to make money for the company that produces them and aren't really that beneficial.

YoSoyEseGato, if you want to keep from getting salmonella, 1) wash your hands well after handling your turtle and objects in the tank/putting your hands in the tank water and 2) keep your turtle healthy. If he carries salmonella, he will shed the bacteria from his intestines if he's ill or under stress. It's in both your best interests to keep him healthy. Read up on what he needs. The Dr. Turtle will not prevent salmonella, and is basically a waste of money.

why is a product allowed to claim prevention and not deliver? can i file a fraud suit?

You could file a fraud suit, but you'd probably put in more money an effort than its worth. It would better to just learn your lesson and move on.

Do you know how many companies make claims for their products that are found to ultimately be untrue (and this doesn't just apply to reptile products)? There's a column in the Sunday paper here devoted to showing how empty some companies' claims are. Consumer Reports does a pretty good job as well.

Caveat Emptor! (buyer beware).