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I just got a baby res 3 days ago, so far he's not interested in his food and I've only seen him back once. Is this normal while he's getting used to his new home?

How big is he? What are the water and basking temperatures? How much water do have for him? What kind of food are you trying?

He's 2 inches long his water temp is 80 and basking is 85. It's about 15 gallons of water, took some out because he hasn't quite got the hang of swimming I think and he was having a very hard time getting to the top to breathe. His food is reptomin floating sticks baby size

Probably just as you suspect, its just getting used to a new home. Try bumping up the basking temp a few degrees. You can also try feeding some freeze dried shrimp or live prey such as rosy red minnows. You will need to hold the minnow in front of its face so it doesn't have to try and catch it. You can also try freeze dried blood worms. Young turtles can be picky eaters. Also try Omega One juvenile turtle food.

Thanks for the help and advice! Having the new baby freak out, want to make sure everything is perfect for him

I understand that.

I got my res about a week ago and we don't have a filter or a heater or even a temperature because we don't have the money for it right now. We finally were able to afford a basking dock and a heating lamp for her but she doesn't use it. I take her outside to bask and she likes to walk around and bask in the sun but she wont bask on the dock. I think ive seen her try to get on it a few times but every time she sees me she swims away. What do i do?

Privacy is key in getting to bask. You can also leave some food on the dock.

Will she eat the food if I leave it on the dock? Because what I've heated about res is that they only eat in water.

Its true that because they don't have saliva they eat in the water, but that just means that your turtle in going to climb up, grab the food, then go back in the water to eat it. Our turtle does that when we put it in our basking area, her food.

How will it know that the foods up their?

Let her see you put it there.

well she always goes under the dock and turns around. shes afraid of people. how do i get her attention when shes afraid.

If you leave food up there and leave the turtle alone for a while in a few days the food should be gone! Try useing something she really likes.

Ok I'll try it. What if it doesn't work? Will she get on it eventually?