General Care Discussion :: Small black plastic looking pieces in tank?

[simbajr]

For the last couple days, I am finding what looks like small black pieces of plastic in the bottom of her tank. (I have attached a photo). Occasionally, in the right light, they can also appear to be a greenish/bluish color. I clean them out but they will reappear. There is nothing in the tank itself that could have given that off.

There are also no rocks, gravel or anything she could have eaten. Her diet consists of reptomin, organic lettuce and occasionally other organic vegetables.

She is not shedding, and looking at the pieces, it is definatly not shell.

Any ideas on what this could be? Has anybody experienced this before? Thanks.

[steve]

Could it be she's bitten off something from a heater or basking area? I don't think it's natural.

[simbajr]

Not that I can tell, there isn't anything in there that looks like that, let alone is missing pieces from itself.

[steve]

It's possible that she's eating it over an over, which is why you're still seeing it. Has she been outside before? How long have you had her?

[Listen97]

My tutles at one time still passed rocks almost a year or two after I had removed it from my tank and even swapped to a new tank. It could be something they had prior contact with.

[simbajr]

I've had her for perhaps five or six years and I can't recall her ever eating anything. When I take her outside I keep a close eye on her as she likes to try and make a break for it :p

The boyfriend thinks it is part of her shell since there have been a couple pieces that are v-shaped and fit on the edge of her shell perfectly. Perhaps, since you say your turtle is passing things eaten years ago, Listen97, maybe she ate some of her shell when she was shedding a while ago and is passing it now? Going through the intestional system might explain why it is discolored.

Thank you for your input!

[Linus]

Pieces of filter media that became loose?

[Listen97]

I've had her for perhaps five or six years and I can't recall her ever eating anything. When I take her outside I keep a close eye on her as she likes to try and make a break for it :p

The boyfriend thinks it is part of her shell since there have been a couple pieces that are v-shaped and fit on the edge of her shell perfectly. Perhaps, since you say your turtle is passing things eaten years ago, Listen97, maybe she ate some of her shell when she was shedding a while ago and is passing it now? Going through the intestional system might explain why it is discolored.

Thank you for your input!

Could be I've seen my turtles eat their sheddings as well

[steve]

If it is from a previous shed, it could be from the thick outer edges and you might be able to feel/see several layers of scutes.

[simbajr]

Oh no. I guess it is time to take her to the vet. I do not know if it is related, but shortly after noticing this, I noticed she now has bloody stool and has not eaten in several days. Poor baby!

[steve]

Sorry to hear it, I hope it's not serious

[Listen97]

Let us know what you find out.