General Care Discussion :: Sorry for another pyramiding thread.

[N4784N R4613]

Sorry for another post on this, but I'm not really sure how to prevent/reverse shell pyramiding. My two RES (3in. and 2in.)have started to pyramid so I went from feeding them pellets everyday(hollowed head amount) and veggies every few days to pellets every other day, and veggies on "non-pellet days." Feeder fish have always been available and the water temp is 79 to 80 F.

So can some-one tell me how to help my RES "grow out of" this? It is a very minor case on both of them(it is worse on the bigger one) and they are still young. I want them to be as healthy as possible, so any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Nathan Radle.

[missibsu]

There is no way to reverse the pyramiding, but because they are still young, the chances of them growing beyond it are good. As they grow, the effects of the pyramiding will appear less and less.

The best thing you can do is offer a healthier diet. Feeder fish should be an occassional food. Pellets every other day is fine, but offer the veggies daily, even if they are getting the pellets. Make sure you are offering variety. Cuttlebone is also a good supplement if you find yourself giving into their begging.

[N4784N R4613]

So you do not think the water temp is to high? And what do you mean by feeder fish occasional? Like once a mouth?

Thanks allot,

Nathan Radle.

[missibsu]

When my turtles were about 6-8 months old, I dropped the temp back to 76F. The higher temp will increase the appetite.

As for the feeder fish, once a month is good. It should be offered as if it is a treat.

[N4784N R4613]

Oh ok, I thought that when they where younger they where to eat more meat? And I will drop the temp down to 75-76 F.

[missibsu]

They do eat more meat when they are younger, but captive turtles tend to be overfed as it is. You still don't want to do a protein overload.

[Allusion5275]

I would say the fish are the main problem.

Luke

[tinkerbell_pg]

what is peramirding ?

[missibsu]

Pyramiding is a shell disorder that comes from too much protein in the diet. It causes each individual scute to be raised in a pyramid type shape. The shell should be smooth all the way down, from the peak of the shell to the edges. If you do some searching on this site, there are some pictures that are great examples of pyramiding.