General Care Discussion :: MY RES HIDES BEHIND THE FILTER

[mzmandi]

is it normal for an res to hid behind the filter? i have a 2 inch res in a 10 gallon tank w/a floating dock, he has plenty of room to swim around. when we first put him in the tank a week ago he did a lot of exploring, swimming around & basking on his dock. the last couple of days he's been hiding behind his filter (he's small enough to squeez back there). he'll come out to eat, so that's not a problem, i just wanted to know if i need to put a little place for him to hide out in the tank.

thanks in advance!

[megcornell]

Hatchlings can tend to be shy so it's always nice to have something in the tank that they can hide in to make them feel a little safer- like a fake plant or something. Those are also nice because they give hatchlings something to rest on. A plant would be a nice alternative because when your hatchling gets larger he may not fit behind the filter as nicely as he does now.

Also, I see you're new here and posted this question in two spots. There's no need to duplicate questions... if it ends up in the wrong area the moderators will move it, and most people look at all the topics so no worries about your question not being found (and answered). Welcome .

[industrial_girl_2000]

Little turtles are very intimidated when you first get them. It is very scary for them to look out and see a GIGANTIC person picking them up, gawking at them thru the glass, etc.

I agree with what Meg said....put some plastic plants in the tank & you will see him hide in those or rest in them.

Also, if you just got this little guy, give him some time to get used to his new surroundings. Feed him by hand too...that helps him find out that you are not a threat.

[marisa]

Make sure he can't get stuck behind the filter (what kind is it)?

Think about an upgrade of the tank in the fairly near future if you can. Then he'll have more space and you'll be able to create an even better habitat for him.

[mzmandi]

thank you, i have a fluvall filter in the tank right now. its supposed to be held up by 2 suction cups, but we were only able to get 1 in, so it gives him some room to get back there. he's my first turtle, & i just want to make sure that he's staying healthy.

[TXGUY]

Is the water cold? by Chance? the turtle may be looking for a warmer area?
all the coments above are true i have baby (3-4months old) who still running to hide some times, but what I ask it may be another reason

[industrial_girl_2000]

I hear ya on the fluval filter. One way I used to get around the "hiding behind the filter" thing is that I would attach the filter to the floor of the tank with the suction cups. I also left a good 2 inches all the way around the filter. Then I put a plant on the wall front of the filter so it wasn't so "out in the open." They have those little plastic ivy-like plants that have a suction cup so you can attach the plant to the wall of the tank. Those are great & the baby RES's love to sit/hide in them. They aren't expensive & you can get them at any Petco or Petsmart store.

[Safdar]

agree with everything that was said, especialy meg, its important to have a plant or a hiding spot for your turtle to feel safe.
It takes time for them to adjust

I have one of those plant walls kristen mentioned and Tito loves it
He sleeps in it and hides in it when hes surprised
He lost the habit of going in his cave

[mzmandi]

right now the water is between 75-78 degrees. i don't have a heater for it yet, i live in az so it stays pretty warm, & the lamp warms the water up too. i guess i'm going to have to get some plants for him to hide in. i thought he was adjusting pretty well, it seemed like all of a sudden he was trying to hide.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Don't worry....he'll get used to you with time & patience. Sometimes they regress a bit, but he'll come around eventually. Just hold some food in your hand & he'll come runnin'......

[Safdar]

I would raise up a little, just dont let it fall lower than 78
The comfort zone for a turtles water is 78-80 degrees

Im sure hell adjust fine
Sometimes it takes a turtle longer than others to adjust
Just depends on their character and stress level

[mzmandi]

another thing that i noticed, is when we turn his lamp off, he tends to come out. right now we have a 60 watt in a clamp lamp. is that too much?

i just have to say that this is the best site ever!! thank you all for your help!