Ok, I'm still a ways off before my son's turtle is an adult, but I have questions.
We got him mid-July at just under 1.5". He's now around 2.5. Initially, we were feeding him too much, he had some wide growth seams and was starting to bulge ever so slightly. We stopped that pretty soon.
He's been getting lettuce, red and green romaine and leaf, plus other unidentified lettuces from my wife's mixed salad packs. We've stayed away from spinach, cabbage, iceberg lettuce and others on the avoid list. He loves his vegetables. There has been no problem convincing him to try. He also gets cuttlebone, but I have to put in small pieces, or he eats way too much.
He's still getting Reptomin baby and Omega One juvenile, so he doesn't get stuck on just one. For the most part we are feeding pellets at the recommended amount here for a juvenile and just making the lettuce available for grazing daily. We adjust the protein by watching for signs of rapid growth. Sometimes we do better than others, but his shell looks much better than it did. http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=33092
My question is how/when to begin transitioning? I know 2.5" is to small to reduce the protein. I'm assuming that at some point I slowly change to more lettuce and fewer pellets. Is this at one year? At 4"?
Also, the water temp is 78 degrees. The recommendation for adults is less. Timing on that change?
Toby seems healthy and active. Since setting up the 55 gallon tank in the basement, I never see him bask. I know he does because I sometimes catch him jumping down as I come down the stairs.
Do I schedule a vet wellness visit? If so, at what point?
Any and all comments appreciated. I've written it before, but I really love the wonderful advice and supportive community here.
