General Care Discussion :: Not eating

[kburen]

I got my baby res last Thursday. He's in a 30 gallon tank with heater and light...Right now there's rocks and things in but I am removing the small ones when I clean the tank this week. I've read somewhere that they may not eat for a few days until they're comfortable in their new surrounding....However I don't think he's eaten anything at all since I got him! I have a sample of food that they were feeding them where I got him from in addition to "turtle bites" that I got from the petstore. I've tried to feed him in his tank and in a smaller tank with water and neither has seemed to work. Suggestions on what I can do to get him to eat? Maybe a different food to try? Thanks!

[missibsu]

I'd give him a bit more time to adjust, especially since you have tried two methods of feeding. Pick one, and stick with it for a few days. If you are looking to feed out of the tank, then that is what I would start with. Otherwise, he is going to have to adjust twice.

If you want to try some tuna juice on the pellets, that might help. I find that my turtles are also drawn to things that are red and orange. Maybe some carrots or grapes.

[marisa]

I'd try some frozen bloodworms to get him eating, then switch to a pellet like Reptomin Baby. Live food, like pieces of earthworm, also works well with hatchlings Vary the diet, making the bloodworms an occasional treat. Hatchlings usually like to nibble on anachris, and aquatic plant. When he starts nibbling on this, try bits of other veggies (look at the list).