General Care Discussion :: Turtles fighting when I'm not around....?

[bredsun]

I've have 4 1.5 inch RES in a 55 gallon tank and they all seem to be getting along great. However I have noticed that there is some damage on the back legs of 2 of my turtles.

Claws and webbing are missing but it doesn't look like there are any severe bite marks. I never see them fighting or biting one another, even during feeding.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this? Could it be isolated cases or is there a certain trigger that makes the turtles aggressive? Is it even the turtles doing the damage? I appreciate any suggestions....

[mikee]

b-sun -- Red ear sliders are the most aggressive of the sliders. They don't need a reason. If you insist on having 4 in one tank I would suggest that you get a larger tank. More room will keep them farther apart. Good Luck! m.

[BullDog]

Missing claws is a pretty serious bite. I'd say they are fighting. You may have to separate them. If you can pick out the aggressive one, you could separate just him, and hope the rest of them get along (although taking out the dominant one may just result in more fights for the new dominant position).

[bredsun]

thats the weird thing, im not sure who the dominate one is...i never see them fighting. I guess i could assume its the one with no damage and see what happens...I have a tub that can house a turtle temporarily. Ill take one out and see how that goes.

[marisa]

Better to separate.