General Care Discussion :: White Fuzz on Skin

[George7941]

My turtle, Lucy, has been with me for about nine years and so far she has had no health problems at all. However now she has developed some white fuzz on her skin, mainly on her neck. It is somewhat visible in the second photo. In the first photo, you can see the fuzz at the top of her rear paw. You can also see the fuzz floating around in the water in both photos. Her shell looks perfectly normal.

I tried some fish fungus treatment, API Liquid Fungus Cure, twice and it has had no effect. What do I do now?

[steve]

Some of it looks like shedding skin, I can't be certain it's fungus. She looks pretty good, was she a hatchling when you started on her care?

[George7941]

It doesn't look like shed skin to me, but then I don't know much about turtles. It is like the cotton at the end of a Q-tip, but of even finer texture. She has never had this on her skin before.

A friend of mine got her from a pet store and she was about three quarters of the size she is now. I don't know how old she was then. This was nine years ago. My friend could not take care of her , so she ended up with me.

[steve]

Does it disappear when she's out of the water? Is it thin and wispy? Can you brush it off?

[George7941]

Thin and wispy describes it exactly. I don't notice it when she is out of the water. I haven't tried brushing it off yet but it certainly looks like it could be brushed off.

[slider_keeper]

sounds like shedding skin to me

[steve]

sounds like shedding skin to me

Me too. On my RES, this is normally very noticeable around the claws webbing. George, has there been any change in the diet or water temperature?

[George7941]

Absolutely no change in diet or water temp.

It is most noticeable around her neck.

[halfshell]

First thing I thought was shedding skin. Likely fine, but if you're seriously concerned, take her to a vet.