General Care Discussion :: Hatchling rapid growth

[steve]

Doesn't sound too bad, though the seams between his scutes should be an indicator if he's getting too much food.

[Into_the_Mystic]

I will take a picture and you can tell me what you think.

[Into_the_Mystic]

Here are some photos of Skimmer. Some from last month and then today.


Notice the lady Bug



April - 2012




Today- Sorry so blurry.



Pyramiding?

[Into_the_Mystic]

Also, notice the bowing up around the edges?

Should I start feeding him every other day?

Right now I have been giving him hatchling pellets and somedays, red leaf lettuce or butter lettuce I think is what it is called.

He also occasionally (once every 10 days or so) gets one or two dried shrimp with his pellets.

I did try to introduce some cuttlebone a few weeks ago, but he ignored it.

I am open to suggestions on what I can do to get his shell back to normal, if that's even possible.

[steve]

I would cut down the pellets. You can feed pellets every day, but use a lot less. Shell issues can take awhile to show improvement, so you need to keep it up.

[Into_the_Mystic]

I would cut down the pellets. You can feed pellets every day, but use a lot less. Shell issues can take awhile to show improvement, so you need to keep it up.

Can I feed him lettuce and vegetables daily? Won't that give him the runs?

I did put some cuttlebone in the tank this morning, hoping he will eat some of that too.

As far as the tiny ball pellets, I have only been giving him the recommended size of the head portion, but I will just feed him those every other day now I guess.

As far as the curving upward of his shell, have you seen that before? Is it due to too much protein?

[steve]

You can offer veggies every day. The poop will be a bit messier but shouldn't be runny. What brand pellets are you using? The shell curling usually indicated problems in diet and sometimes improper lighting.

[Into_the_Mystic]

It was aquatic turtle pellets.. Little tiny ones, not the medium size. they were given to me when I was given the turtle. I also have the Reptillin
ones (or however it's spelled) that are the sticks. If I give him those, I usually just break up two sticks at a time.

As far as the lighting, I have the ZOO Med double light that hangs over the tank. I have a 100 watt heating bulb, with the spiral type UVB/UVA bulb that you buy at the pet store. The temp on his basking area stays between 85 & 90, depending on if the air conditioner turns on.

We do take him out side to bask in the evenings for about an hour here and there if we have time.

I gave him the last of his tiny pellets last night, and this morning, I gave him a little lettuce and slivers of carrots.

[steve]

When in doubt about feeding pellets, just use less. Compact fluorescents need to replaced every 4-6 months, depending on the brand.

[Into_the_Mystic]

O.k. I have only had him since the middle of March, so the lights should still be good. I don't think he is basking as much as he should. At least not when we are home.

I just hate that it is looking like I am doing something wrong when all I have been and still want to do is provide the best for him/her.

I have taken care to watch the amount/kind of food, proper lighting, top of the line heater/pump... you name it..

Hell, I even buy him organic veggies!! I don't even do that for me!! lol

[steve]

I'm the same way... a lot goes wrong when doing this. The problems are minor and should correct themselves with the proper diet.