General Care Discussion :: Is this shell rot?

[SPINSERVE]

Hello,

I’ve had my red eared slider for 14 years. When he was young his shell was colorful. Then it became dark brown all over as he aged, and has been that way for a few years. Recently, the top half of his shell has turned light colored, almost white as shown in the picture.

Is this shell rot? Or what could it be?

Thanks for any help!

[steve]

Looks like he's just becoming melanistic, and as far as I've seen, it will eventually affect all male RES... some sooner than others.

[SPINSERVE]

Ok interesting. So the shell can turn light colored from being melanistic?

Does that mean it does not look like shell rot, or any other shell abnormality in your opinion?

[steve]

It can in certain areas. More often it turns everything darker. I can't see anything abnormal, but he does have a bit of algae on his shell. I would give him a gently cleaning and re-examine his shell.