General Care Discussion :: A little worried

[KITTYCAT4563]

I have two turtle's, i got them both at the same time last year. One of the turtles has grown about 3 times the size it was when I bought them. But the second turtle has not grown at all. Is this normal. There is not a vet around here that deals with turles so I have no one to ask. I dont really think he eats like he should either. The bigger turtle is almost acting like a bully. At times i think he is trying to eat the smaller one, but that usally only last for a few sec.

My main question is should i be worried about the smaller turtle not getting any bigger?

I need as much imput as possible... Thanks

[jenaero]

If I were you, I'd take the big one out at feeding time and feed him in a separate container with water in it. Sounds to me like he's getting most of the food. Feed the little one in the tank while you have the big one out

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Different turtles grow at different rates. Though you should keep track of how much food both your turtles eat. What jenaero mentioned is a clever idea that I use successfully with my turtles, it even keeps the water cleaner, just make sure the water in the seperate container is the same temperature as the water in the tank.

[SpotsMama]

It does sound like the little one isn't getting his fair share of the food. If you make sure he gets fed, that may start him growing.

However, there is another possibility. I wonder if the little one might have internal parasites. That's a common cause of slow or no growth in turtles. You could have a vet check a stool sample so you'd know for sure. I can't believe it would be that hard for a vet to do. There are many possible types of internal parasites and different ones require different treatments, so the vet would have to know what to do if it turns out the little turtle has them.

It's a little odd though if internal parasites are a factor that the big one isn't also affected.

[KITTYCAT4563]

about the two turtles i have seperated them at times, and i mean like months on end and there is still no grown. the little turtle just dosnt really eat.

[SpotsMama]

See if you can get a vet to example a stool sample.

[steve]

about the two turtles i have separated them at times, and i mean like months on end and there is still no grown. the little turtle just dosnt really eat.

It doesn't sound like he had the opportunity. Feed them separately, and if the other is much bigger or being a bit aggressive, then put them in different setups.