General Care Discussion :: My terrapin is not swimming and not eating

[RedX]

Hi, my terrapin has not been swimming for the past week and has constantly been sleeping (not hibernating) I have been feeding the terrapin pellets I knew that the pellet will dissolve in the water so I put the pellet on the basking area to let the terrapin eat by itself, I was beginning to start thinking of feeding it prawns, isit alright?

[sincebirth]

Have you tried to put your terrapin in the water? How long do you have your terrapin? What kind of terrapin species, hatchling?

[steve]

How long has it been like this?

[RedX]

Since I bought it I knew not eating for a few days is fine as it is getting used to the tank after a few days I gave it some pellets to eat which I just drop into the water oh and I got the terrapin for 2 weeks now the first week it was constantly in the water the next week it spent most of its time on the dry 'land'. But I notice the pellets in the water has dissolved, if the terrapin does the toilet stuff does that mean it has eaten?

[RedX]

sincebirth I have only 1 male red eared slider

[mukyo]

hi Red
i assume you are in singapore.
what kind of setup u have?
how big is your turtle?
u keep him in aircon room?
i am in singapore as well might be able to help you if you give more details.

[RedX]

I have quite a 'boring' setup
My terrapin is a baby sized one im going to add a new one soon
I keep him in my living room I live in hdb

[mukyo]

Np. U got basking area means u got bulb? I assume yes.
1. It needs warmth.
As long as your living room no aircon. Water should be good temp.
Make sure to regulate basking time. Give him day and night timing accordingly.
10-12hrs light on is good. Go to ikea and buy mechanical timer. If you are lazy lol.
For some reason ikea ones is cheaper and smaller.

2. Try to get it isolated abit. If in living room. Make sure its not too near people walking around too much.
I got 1+1+1 turts. All of them is not eating for a week when starting. I isolate them in the bathroom lol.

3. What pellet brand u got? If still not eating for a week buy small size diff brand.
Look for the one with calcium, plenty brands
So far everyday brand (red stripes white can) is fave of all of my turts. Its cheaper than reptomin baby which only momo like to eat it. If u go to c328 or petmart serangoon u got tons of choices.

4. He needs to trust you.
Or rather associate you with food
So dropby and slowly make contact handing over food. Silly but it does work.

Once he begans to eat keep it up for a week. Dont change environment first.
Usually 1st time (2, 3rd for taro) change of environment due to cleaning or tank organizing will kind of reset their trust again. Dont worry will come back sooner.

Goodluck

[hwwyahu]

Bring him outside for sunbath is also good.
Mine eats well under morning sun.