General Care Discussion :: Symptoms?

[eugenetimpog]

Tiger (my avatar) had an RI a year ago when she was still a baby. I didn't know anything about turtles back then. I have 2 turltes living in a small tank named Samson & Akiko. I decided to add an new one and that is tiger. I was concerned that she swims funny. She just floats and have a hard time submerging. Well to make the story short. Akiko got an RI too because they are living in the same tank. That when I start doing some research. Tiger made it but Akiko didn't. It was really a sad day.

[GThiele93]

I don't know now she seems a bit more active since I've thrown a leaf of green leaf lettuce in there my amazon swords just float around. She began to eat the lettuce (the leaf was about the size of halfa dollar.) She is eating the other half as we speak and she actully swallows the food is there sufficient calories in the lettuce to hold her off for 1 to 2 days

[SpotsMama]

Not many calories in a lettuce leaf. It's good that she's swallowing something but she really should prefer the pellets, especially at her young age , and she needs the nuitriants in the pellets.

[marisa]

My turtles will also chew on something and spit it out if the piece of food or pellet is to big for them. If the pellets are larger, like regular Reptomin, try breaking them up into smaller pieces.

[GThiele93]

Not many calories in a lettuce leaf. It's good that she's swallowing something but she really should prefer the pellets, especially at her young age , and she needs the nuitriants in the pellets.

I'm on my way to the store and was wondering
I am getting Reptical or somthing like it
And reptomin
am I able to put reptocal on lettuce,what food,treats and supplements,vitamins should I get for them
I'm also picking up the UVB bulb (I have an industrial lamp)

ALSO are they big enough for cuttlebone. I'm think about throwing like 4 of those small(Smallest I can find) guppies in there. Even if they don't attract them.Are they big enough to eat these?

[marisa]

Rather than Reptocal, get RepCal if you can---it doesn't contain phosphorus.

After taking off the hard backing, just break some of the cuttlebone into smallish pieces and leave a few floating in the tank. If they can catch guppies, they're big enough to eat them.

[SpotsMama]

Here are the guidelines on supplements:

http://www.redearslider.com/supplements.html

If your turtles are healthy and getting a good diet and basking under good light, they won't need much in the way of supplments, so be sparing. They won't need it every day.

On the cuttlebone - YES they are old enough. Cuttlebones are great. Not only are they an excellent source of calcium, they also keep your turtles' beaks trim. Be sure and pry off the hard, plastic-like backing. You can break the cuttlebone into pieces and leave a piece or two in the tank for your turtles to snack on when they feel like it. Or you can fasten a piece of cuttleone to the side of the tank with a veggie clip. Makes it easier for them to eat.

And yes, they are old enough for guppies.

On the light bulb, here's some info on a specific bulb and supplier:

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.ph ... ts_id=1817

If you get your bulb from a pet store, here are some do's and don't's. Be sure the packaging specifies the amount of UVB. The amount should be at least 5% but less than 10%. It must be fluorescent. If you get the Hagen Exo Terra bulb get the 5.0 26 watt one. I'd avoid an ESU. A reptisun 5.0 by
zoo med is ok as long as you don't get it too close to the turtle - it's strong and the light could hurt your turtles' eyes if it's too close. Don't get the reptisun 10.0.

[GThiele93]

My turtles will also chew on something and spit it out if the piece of food or pellet is to big for them. If the pellets are larger, like regular Reptomin, try breaking them up into smaller pieces.

ZOOMED the aquatic hatchling micro bite
Its so small about 10 pellets would fit in her head. I'm getting the baby reptomin one now.

[marisa]

I tried that pellet once long ago, when my RES was a hatchling. He refused to eat it and I was repulsed by the smell.

[GThiele93]

I tried that pellet once long ago, when my RES was a hatchling. He refused to eat it and I was repulsed by the smell.

Which food Reptomin?
I just got her to eat! I bought sun dried shrimp and babyreptomin I dabbed them in repcal and threw in ten feeder guppies. One turtle didn't paymind to the guppies but the girl I've been worried about was chasing them(she only managed 1.) It gave me a chance to look at her swimming and she was swimming normal so I think she might be ok. I also bought a UVB Reptisun light 26 watts 5.0 5% radiation.
For some reason 3 guppies are dead at the bottom of the tank should I be worried?

[marisa]

No, the Zoo-Med micro pellets.

Congrats on your turtle eating.

[GThiele93]

Ha! Thanks.! They do stink.

[shannon_nicole]

Yayyyy I'm glad your turtle is doing better!!!

[GThiele93]

Thanks I'm glad there finnaly happy now..the one I thought was sick is now doing a lot less basking and eating dried shrimp from my hand! She's not that scared of me anymore. But the smaller one still is shy and doesn't bask that much and doesn't eat that much (only about 1/2 a pellet a day.) This is about half his head he should be good for a while. The one suvivour guppy Wasn't in the tank when I woke up =(. O well at least my turtles are full!