Feeding and Nutrition :: Is this okay?

[Franklin1013]

I feed Franklin everymorning. 2-3 pellets depending on size, a leaf of romaine lettuce, or red leaf. and i throw in a cuddle bone once a week. alternating between lettuce and carrots every day or so. is that to much, to little, just right? he pigs out no matter how much i throw in his feeder bowl. i know they just keep on eating, but i thought this would be pretty good for him. he's a little over 2 inches, about 8 months old i think.

[SpotsMama]

Have you read up on the nuitrition section on here? There's a gold mine of info. Here's a link: http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

Whether the pellets is the right amount or not depends on how big the pellets are and how big your turtle's head is. I assume you know the hollow head rule? If not, let us know.

On the veggies, I'd do more lettuce - red leaf or green leaf or collard greens - and less carrots. Carrots once or twice a week is fine but they contain quite a bit of sugar so you need to limit them. A key is variety. Instead of carrots, sometimes let him have blueberries or strawberries or bell pepper or sweet potato or apple peel. My turtle has a particular fondness for basil so I let him have it pretty often. A good way to add veggies to your turtle's diet is to put a water plant, like anacharis, in the tank. Anacharis is very nuitritious.

[Franklin1013]

yea, i've been looking for blueberries (out of season) and Anacharis is illegal to sell here at least thats what the pet store i went to said. i only feed him carrots on wed. and alternate between red, green, and romaine lettuce every day, i guess i wasn't clear on that . with the strawberries, sould i cut them into slices, like pickle chips? or just leave them whole? and by apple peel you just mean the skin?

[emma]

For the strawberries you can can cut them into tiny pieces so your turtle will be able to eat them.

[scripta_elegans]

There is a good list of water plants for your turtle right here on this site.
Amazon Swords
Anacharis*
Duckweed*
Frogbit
Hornwort
Nasturtium
Pondweed
Water Fern*
Water Hyacinth*
Water Lettuce
Water Lily*
Water Milfoil
Water Starwort
There are a few on here that probably aren't illegal.