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I have two RES turtles. They were both the same size when I got them last year. Now one is 3 times bigger than the other. The bigger one is a female and the smaller one is a male.

Pinky is the small one and Brain is the large one. I noticed that Brain likes to hold her hands up in front of Pinky and shake them vibrantly. I researched that it could either be a mating call or that they don't get along.

Does anyone know what it may be?

Thanks,

Nestephanie

Welcome!

Turts should only grow about an inch per year. Maybe a little more the first year. Are you sure that when feeding that both are getting the same amount of food? How much are you feeding? There are ways to reduce food snatching. You can feed one in a seperate container...usually the one that is more outgoing. You can feed at opposite ends of the tank. You can remove one and feed the other in the tank and then switch and repeat. Usually when one grows faster than the other it's because one is hogging the food.

How old are your turts? If they are mature enough for the mating signs, then it could be a sign of aggression. How big are they? Straight length of shell only. The rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch, and if your set up is smaller than that, they could be fighting for space. Keep and eye on them. With the size difference there could be problems for the smaller one. In fact, with much difference in size at all, most people recommend seperating them, just for the protection of the smaller one.

Brain is roughly 4 inches and Pinky is 2 inches. The big one eats about 10 sticks for every 'one' the lil one eats.

When eating shrimp, pinky favors that and both have equal amounts. Brain seems to favor the sticks.

I agree that Brain may be hogging food because I have noticed her rapidly take more food before Pinky gets to it.

I've had them for a year and a bit now. Brain seems to like being behind the filter while Pinky is on the opposite end.

I also notice that whenever I come into the room they fight for my attention which I find so cute but not like in a harmful way where they hurt eachother. They just wiggle their arms at me rapidly hoping I'd notice one first.

I don't want to seperate them because they don't hate eachother. Is there another option?

Nestephanie

If they seem to get along, then leaving them together is your option and opinion. I would do what I can to equal out the feeding. The turts should receive the amount of food that will fit in their heads if they were hollow. You can try any of those methods I mentioned above in order to make sure they are getting those amounts.

Also, have you tried feeding veggies? The sooner you start on veggies the better. There is a recommended list in the feeding and nutrition section. If they don't take to them right away don't give up. It's important to provide a variaty, and not too much protein. I'd make sure that the shrimp are only offered as a treat, one or two times a month. Instead, stick to the pellets and try veggies.

You can also suppliment calcium by providing cuttlebone. It's found in the bird section. Remove the hard backing and drop small pieces in the tank. Mine go nuts over it and it's healthy. Overweight turts put unneeded stress on internal organs. So, you want to avoid that.

Thanks

I'll do just that.

Another reason for the size difference could be one is male and the other is female. My female was always larger and grew faster than my male. I was careful to feed them so that they both got their fair share (well after I noticed she'd pig it all down if you let her) You can still see a difference in size even though they both get fed the same amount. Also, genetics can play a part in their sizes. Follow the advice that missibu gave on feeding to see if that helps but if not, maybe they are just different sexes ..

Nestephanie, my female also grew faster than my male, but NOT twice as fast over a YEAR. Are you sure one is a female, the other male? Pinky sounds too small to determine the sex... narf. You do need to control the feeding... it's very tough to start doing it but it's for their own good. Also, try feeding them in a separate container - it would ensure that they can eat peacefully and it'll keep your water cleaner.

Overall, it also sounds like you need scale back on the treats and pellets... veggies (red leaf, green leaf, romaine lettuce, carrots) should be introduced sooner than later.

How big is the tank they're in? If it's too small and one is trying to dominate the other (that fluttering of the paws is a sign), the smaller/shyer one is going to be stressed out, which will eventually affect his/her health.