General Care Discussion :: shedding?

[ghostlypizza]

I've looked through a couple entries and I havent seen anything similar, but in case there has been then i apoligize for the repetitiveness.

I have had my turtle for about a year and a half, and I haven't had any problems with her before. When I got her I was told that at about this time to start using feeder fish. So I went to Petco and the guy said to use Small Comets. Squabble ended up 'befriending' the fish. Until today when I came home from work and went and sat by her tank to eat my lunch like I normally do and noticed that all three fish were gone, and they were all there yesterday. I also noticed that she has long whispy clear strands of something hanging off of her hind legs and tail that weren't there yesterday. I was curious if she's shedding, or if it's some sort of reaction to eating the fish.

I also noticed today that the filter died, and switched out the water and ordered a new one. So I'm wondering if maybe the filter has been dead for longer than I realised and if that's what caused these strands. She's also been basking more than usual, but it's about the same amount that she was doing around this time last year.

I'd apreciate any advice that anybody has to offer

[BullDog]

Can you see the strands when she's out of the water? If not, then it is probably shedding. Pictures will of course help.

I think poor water quality can cause excessive shedding, so if the filter was out for a week or so, then that may be one reason that you're seeing the shedding now. But it is normal for RES to shed their skin.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

I agree with BullDog,it's probably shedding.If it's shedding,don't pull the skin off and let them shed by themselves.

[ghostlypizza]

I agree with BullDog,it's probably shedding.If it's shedding,don't pull the skin off and let them shed by themselves.

Thank you, that was going to be my next question. The strands can only be seen underwater and they were shorter today and more centered on her tail and from what I read online it looks like her shell is getting ready to shed. I forgot what they called it. But they're raised and there are little bubbles on the edges of the scale like things.

My new filter came in yesterday, a lot sooner than I thought it would. It is a Tetra PF10. And she's already loving it, and swimming around a lot more.

I've been reading some stuff on this site and a lot of people are saying not to use gravel, and it's confussing me. The bottom of my aquarium has the standard aquarium gravel that you get at the pet store (it comes in different colors), and from what I've read it seems like people are saying not to use that because the turtle can eat it and get sick. But a few months after I got my turtles I read a book that I got at a reptile show and it said to use that kind of gravel to set up a ramp to the basking platform. That's not the way I have my tank set up at the moment, but after reading that I thought it was okay to use.

I'll definitely try to post pictures of her and her set up this evening to clarify what I'm talking about

[megcornell]

There is a lot of conflicting information out there on turtle care. As far as gravel's concerned, you shouldn't have any in the tank that is smaller than your turtle's head. A lot of members on this site have found out the hard way, after their turtles have eaten the gravel. Luckily, most of their turtles passed the stones, but if too much is consumed the turtle can become impacted and die.
It's just not a risk worth taking.

Plus, gravel-sloped basking areas take up a lot of potential swimming space so it's better to get a floating or suction cup dock to maximize swimming space.

[koreyleigh]

Adding to the gravel chat, I took mine out -- lovely as it was -- and found that it actually made the habitat far cleaner looking and easier to see what was dirty. The look is much more "chic" and there are a lot of options for larger stones if you decided to add some in. I personally got clear glass-esque rocks from Petsmart that I adorrreeeee and I feel better knowing he's out of harms way, even if it's only precautionary. Like meg says, better safe!