General Care Discussion :: Help regardin soft shell

[Siraj]

Hi...I got recently 2 red eared sliders..one of them has a soft flexible shell...I think itz due to the calcium deficiency...Is that a serious problem...what sort of measures should i take to prevent this.

Waitin for your support...

[Rubicon]

I would take him to the vet. Also get them some cuttle bone asap. I would try soaking the pieces in some sardine or tuna oil. This will make them alot more interested in it.

[jenaero]

Are they hatchlings? Young turtles have a fairly flexible shell. It hardens as they get older.

[Siraj]

hm..i dunno abt their exact age..but they r pretty small..

[Azfar]

if you said that they are pretty small.. meaning your RES are babies.. hatchlings.. so its normal have a soft shell.

[MoreBloodWine]

Well the key thing is what his definition of soft is, but also knowing how big they are will help determine an approximate age.

[Siraj]

M worried bcoz...i got 2 turtles of the same size(small)..but one has a hard shelll and the other has a flexible shell.to be clear with ya...the shell bends at the corners when i try to hold it..As i m a neophyte in this field of raisin turtles..every minute prob looks like a big 1 4 me...

[Bascomb]

S-j -- Take him to the vet as he may have MBD which is a direct cause of improper husbandry. Water temp at 77, baskinb at 90 to 91, filter that pumps at least 5 times the water volume in the tank, uvb lighting, prpoer diet with calcium, etc.

[marisa]

What are you feeding them? Does the one with the softer shell eat as much as the other?

What is their set-up like?

[Siraj]

well the turtle with the soft shell eats lil less when compared to the turtle having a strong shell.They r in a 20 gal tank.