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my 2 oz slider has excessive algea growth on her shell it started acouple weeks ago in small spots now it has spread all over her shell. i have been cleanin her tank every couple days but it seems to be getting worse. i read that i could use an old tooth brush to take off the algea but it seemed to be hurting her. i think she may have shell rot what can i do to help clear this up? there are no vets in my area that deal with turtles.

phsycochic99 wrote:my 2 oz slider has excessive algea growth on her shell it started acouple weeks ago in small spots now it has spread all over her shell. i have been cleanin her tank every couple days but it seems to be getting worse. i read that i could use an old tooth brush to take off the algea but it seemed to be hurting her. i think she may have shell rot what can i do to help clear this up? there are no vets in my area that deal with turtles.

Can you get a picture? Folks around here are good at identifying the problem if you post an image.

When you use the toothbrush, do so gently, no need to scrub hard. Also she might just be annoyed, not in pain. I brush my turtle once every 1-2 weeks and have done so for 8 years and she still gets pissy about it and tries to wriggle free or bite the toothbrush.

ok i will try to get a pic up this afternoon thank u!!

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Is the tank near a window?

no. its on the other side of the room from the window.

Use a new toothbrush. Do it gently, in several steps if necessary. Algae by itself will not hurt the shell however it can lead to other issues like shell rot and infections.

ok i will try it again in a couple days i think she has had enough stress in the last few days thank you i will let every body know hwo it goes

when i woke up this morning she was half under her rock rubbing her shell and most of the algea is gone!!!! i am going to clean her tank today hopefully it doesnt come back. thank you all for your help!