Feeding and Nutrition :: Baby RES with rough past still won't eat

[y0urkrypt0nite]

I recently went on vacation with my family to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While there we passed many beach shops, some which sold hermit crabs or tiny RES. They were usually in 20 gallon tanks where at least 20-30 RES were sharing room on a basking rock. While I am in college, I still live at home so I begged my mom to let me buy one. She said no. After we got home I found out that she had bought two and brought them home to surprise me. First of all they had been in the small little 1/4 gallon plastic terrerium(spelling?) things for the entire 12 hour car ride in air conditioning (with some iceberg lettuce to eat... horrible I know). This was this past Saturday.

Sunday I went to a pet shop and purchased a 10 gallon tank, UVB lamp, basking rocks, underwater filter, and baby turtle pellets. The two RES are less than 1.5 inches long. They were very sluggish in the plastic tank but seemed very appreciative of the larger tank and warmer water which I filled up about 4in from the bottom. I cut up romain lettuce, shredded carrots, and bananas into tiny bites and mixed them with the pellets to give to the turtles. They didn't touch it. Today I thought maybe their water was too cold and was messing with their metabolism so I got a floating thermometer but it reads just a hair under 80 when the lamp isnt on.

A few hours ago I cleaned out their tank completely and tried giving them low sodium tuna (in water of course) and they won't go near it.

They like hiding under the rocks I put in there and they both always fall asleep on top of the filter (it can lay on its side so it stays completely submerged) with their heads poking above the water.

I know the Myrtle Beach tank and car ride will have stressed them out very much but it's been three days and I can't get them to eat anything at all! They don't seem sick and are pretty active in their tank.





Please give me any advice. I don't want to lose them

[Tenodera]

sometimes it takes a while for them to get used to their new surroundings. Give them a little time and offer tasty food like tuna and shrimp everyday. But just remember those food are just for getting them to eat, not a staple food.


Kevin

[steve]

I'd make sure they receive some privacy and that their water is a solid and consistent 80F. Get a fully submersible water heater and a basking light (a normal incandescent light will do). If they have not eaten yet, go get some live prey for them. You can cut up an earthworm and try some guppies. You might have to hold the tail until your RES get it. Also give them as much space an privacy as possible. They're obviously stressed, and need to get used to things. Make sure the water is clean but I would also avoid cleaning and re-arranging the tank unless necessary.

www.redearslider.com/hatchling_tips.html

[Safdar]

Like Kevin said
Theyre just adjusting
But keep an eye out for any other symtoms

Itll take a 2 weeks or more for them to adjust.

When you feed them, try leaving the food in there and going away for a while.
They could be just scared.
Soak Pellets in Tuna juice
Here read up
http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

[y0urkrypt0nite]

Ok thanks! I think I'm going to try cut up earthworm or small feeder crickets tonight.

Hopefully theyll at least show some interest!

[zero_tails]

good luck, they will adapt soon..im sure of it

[marisa]

They're probably not going to be very interested the plant matter you gave them at their size/age and as was noted are still probably a bit timid from the changes they've experienced to want to eat. I'd get them on a good pellet (Reptomin Baby) and get some anachris (aquatic plant) for their tank for starters.

[Caelestis]

Try feeding them 1 measly pellet, then when they are looking for more food stick the romaine in their face. make sure part of it is underwater, as my turtle won't eat it either if it's floating. Don't move while holding the lettuce or you might scare them.