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I got my RES a few days ago, and he very rarely seems to go in the water. He has a heater in the water, and it is at 78 degrees F, but he just seems to spend all his time basking, I'm not sure if this is something I should worry about?

I have seen him in the water briefly a few times, so I know he can get into and back out of the water.

Well, you said you got him a couple of days ago, so he could be shy. Unless theres something wrong with your water, it seems like he's just shy. He probably swims when your not around.

That's odd, usually it's the other way around. How big is he? When he does swim does he seem to have trouble? Does he gasp a lot when he's out of the water?

He is about 2" maybe a little smaller, he can swim fine, I have moved him into the water a few times now to check, and he always finds his way back to his basking spot quickish.

He seems healthy, but it seems a bit odd?

Are you absolutely sure of the water temps? If you are going off of the little sticky thermometers that you put on the sides of a tank, it could be not registering correctly. Make a measurement with a digital thermometer to be sure.

Does he stay on the basking ramp even after the lights go out? Constant basking or lethargy could be a sign of trouble.......is he eating?

I haven't seen him eating, but I think he might be eating bits of food sneakily.

Last night when I turned his lamp off, he went into the water to sit by his heater, and my boyfriend saw he was swimming a bit this morning, so I am not as worried.

Thanks!

Does he breathe with mouth open? Are his eyes big and swollen?

Usually turtles with either of these symptoms refuse to go into the water.

If your turtle is healthy, the only reason I could see is if the basking light is not warm enough. That should be about 90 to 91 degrees with a uvb lighting. They like the difference between the temps. Keep an eye out for RI symptoms and make sure the water is very clean.

I agree w/ computer gremlin. Check the water temps with a digital thermometer, or a glass aquarium thermometer. If the water is to cold, he's not gonna wanna be in it, and would rather be where it is warmer, hence the basking all the time.