General Care Discussion :: Monday not eating like she should

[dawn9800]

So I have had Monday for almost a month now she is small prob. smaller than the length of my pointer finger! My problem is I havent seen her eat except 1 time I have tried collard greens, turtle sticks, and dried shrimps, nothing the only thing I have seen her eat is some of the stick that had dissolved and sitting at the bottom of the tank. That was only once! Obviously she is eating something since she seems really healthy swimming around and basking so I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions? She is in a 10 gallon tank with one of those floating docks from Petland that suctions to the side of the tank.

[DavidY]

What is the temperature of the water in her tank and do you have the proper basking lights for her (heat and UVB)? Aquatic turtles are usually very eager eaters and she should be regularly begging for food (even when they've already eaten).

[marisa]

What are the temps of the water and basking area?

[Safdar]

Whats the water temp?
When the water temp is too low they lose thier appetite

If all of your temperatures are correct and you have a UVB and heat bulb
then try this
http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

[dawn9800]

The water temp is 7I have a heater that keeps it there constantly and I check it tons, but my stupid uv light burnt out yesterday but Im kinda thinking it was too old we have had it for a while so it may not have been working properly I didnt know they lost their "potency" I did see her nipping at some plants that are growing in the tank last night!

[Kayra33]

You might want to adjust your thermometer to about 78 degrees F, if the temperature is too low the RES will start to act like it's in hibernation and not eat. I would just bump it up a little bit and see if her appetite improves.

[marisa]

71F is too cool for a hatchling. Try 78F, perhaps a degree or two higher for a while, since your baby has been in cool water.

[dawn9800]

OOOPs I am loosing my mind the temp is 78 not 71 I have one of those Thermometers that keep it there constantly I dont know why I put 71

[Kayra33]

Actually now that i look at it, the 1 looks like an I and the 8 is right above the I Maybe you should turn it up just a little maybe in the low 80's like 80 or 81. People recommend that if hatchlings/young turtles are sick or seem have a weak immune system. Maybe your little girl just needs a little warmth to get her jump started Does she bask?

[DavidY]

Yea most UVB lights lose their strength after 6 months. Normal tube flourescent UV bulbs should be replaced every 6 to 8 months. The compact flourescent UV bulbs last a little longer but should also be replaced every 8 to 12 months. The mercury vapor bulbs last the longest and also provide the most UVB radiation at greater distances. Even after 12 months they still put out a decent amount of UVB but they still recommend replacing every year.

[dawn9800]

Well at least I didnt completely loose my mind!! Yea she basks and swims around and plays with the bubbles that the filter makes this is why I am so confused I mean after almost a month of not eating she should be pretty sick but she is absolutly thriving I am putting pics up tonight so yall can see her think she is maybe eating when I am not looking? She is still a bit skittish of me, getting better but still skittish nonetheless! All your advise is appreciated!!

[marisa]

She could be eating if you're not around. Do you notice any of the food missing? If she's eating some, she also could be eating her poop.

[dawn9800]

Well the food is disintegrating but the shrimp I just ended up fishing out the collard greens as well and no I havent seen any poop either is that normal for them to eat poop I just figured the filter was getting to it before I could! Like I said I saw her once eeating the disintegrated pieces on the bottom, so I dont know I think I may go buy her some pellets I fed my box pellets and I think she may like those bettter too, of course water turtle kind

[industrial_girl_2000]

Them eating their own poop is totally normal. It's one of the "strange" things we have to deal with when we have turtles as pets.

Feel free to get some underwater pond plants like "anacharis" (easy to find at any aquarium store & cheap). It will give your turtle something to hide/play in, and most babies love to eat it too (its good for them too).

[dawn9800]

Yea I saw her nipping at the water plants, Im not sure what they are they are these bulbs I got from walmart, but she does hide in them when I scare her!!