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Newbie terrapine shell white why??
Posted:
Mon Feb 22, 2021 10:20 amby Newbieturtle!
Hello I need help
Have terrapine for 2 months
The shell has white spots all over
I have purchased water filter, heat lamp and water drops to remove hard water
I use cool boiled water for the tank and they go outdoors for sunshine everyday!
Why is the shell white??
Re: Newbie terrapine shell white why??
Posted:
Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:09 amby steve
It's likely fungus which is a stubborn thing to treat. Do you have a larger/clearer picture of the shell?
Re: Newbie terrapine shell white why??
Posted:
Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:34 amby Newbieturtle!
Hello thanks for replying. I have added 2 other close up
Pics.
I have 2 terrapines in the tank. Is the fungus contagious?
Thanks for your reply!
Re: Newbie terrapine shell white why??
Posted:
Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:08 amby steve
Yes, it's contagious to other turtles. It should be treatable, but you have only one or two good shots at it. So make sure the tank is clean with proper filtration and that they can bask plenty. Next step would to get some Silver sulfadiazine cream for treatment.
Re: Newbie terrapine shell white why??
Posted:
Tue Feb 23, 2021 5:42 amby Newbieturtle!
Oh thanks. If I don’t treat it then what will happen?
How did they get the fungus to begin with?
Re: Newbie terrapine shell white why??
Posted:
Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:43 pmby steve
No idea how it started, lack of basking helps it spread though. Without treatment, it will cover the entire shell. Best case scenario, your turtles shed them but the new scutes will already be infected and will become a thick white again. Worst case is that the fungus makes it difficult to shed which traps water and debris between the scutes resulting in bacterial infections.