Feeding and Nutrition :: Help! I've been doing everything wrong!

[Aynne]

It's been great finding this website, but it's amazing that my RES has survived so long, since I appear to have done everything wrong. TiTu will be 20 in December! I never got proper feeding advice when he was little and he was always a picky eater. He became malnourished 15 years ago when all he would eat was krill and I didn't know any better. His growth was stunted as a result; he only grew to 5 inches. I feel terrible about it, but he's still here and is quite the sociable character.

I've never had any luck getting TiTu to eat a wide variety of foods at any one time. I've put vegetables in his tank, but never actually see him eat them, and I have to fish it all out later. He sometimes eats pellets for a while, or bloodworms, but lately the only thing he'd eat was canned tuna. Now he's even gone off that.

I just read that you shouldn't give RES frozen fish, and I am worried because I started freezing the tuna just before he stopped eating. He only liked it when it was fresh, and I ended up throwing most of each can away because I don't eat tuna. Could the frozen tuna have caused any harm?

TiTu hasn't eaten anything for over a week, but he swims up to me eagerly every time I come into the room. I wish I knew what to do. I recently got a bigger tank, and suspect it's cooler but I don't have a thermometer. I haven't been using a heater, but wonder if that might help. ( I used a heater a few years ago and the aquarium quickly turned green and slimy)

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[BullDog]

If the water is cool, his metabolism will slow down and he won't feel the need to eat. I think you'll need a heater. A thermometer is a necessity, so you can monitor both the basking and water temps.

The green water was probably only partly from the heater (algae likes the warmer temps). Was the tank near a window? Sunlight or excessive light can cause an algae bloom.

[gianoshoes]

First, maybe go see a reptile vet and get your guy/gal checked out, it's worrisome that he hasn't been eating. If there are problems, it's better to get your turtle cleared up.

Buy a heater, you can get it at Petco or Petsmart. I recommend something like this - http://www.petco.com/product/13811/Mari ... SiteSearch
just something that goes INTO the aquarium.

[Aynne]

Thanks for your replies and helpful advice. I got an aquarium heater and thermometer, and have heated the water up to 78-9 degrees. I was really hoping it would make a difference, but TiTu is still not eating. Whenever I come in the room, he swims up to the glass, bouncing around trying to get my attention, which is what he usualy does when he's hungry. But he has not eaten anything. Today I tried pellets, tuna and carrot.

If he doesn't eat by next week I'll call a vet. I'm going away for the weekend, and my sister will be looking after him. Maybe she'll have more luck than me.

I haven't tried soaking the pellets in tuna water, but I'll try anything. I'm kind of worried. He's never gone this long without eating. Could it be because he's getting used to the new tank? He just started basking again.

Thanks, Aynne

[steve]

How is he doing? Could he be holding out for a treat?

[dkhx2]

try the turtle jello shots my turtle wouldnt eat vegies at all and this is still the only way i can get him to eat them

[gianoshoes]

Has he eaten ANYTHING yet? Just curious and concerned. Since he is older, try more fruit; any kind you can get your hands on (at least for now, so he'll at least eat something).

Try jello shots or even Nature Zone Aquatic turtle bites (they are cubed form - "ready to eat"). Cooked chicken maybe? Fish? lean beef?

[Aynne]

Thanks for your interest in TiTu. Well, he had a few bites of fresh tuna over the weekend and yesterday he ate a pellet (Nutrafin Max). Not much, but he is still alert and sociable. He certainly has a history of holding out for treats. Mister Fussy Pants, I call him sometimes.

I remember now I did have to "force feed" him with an eyedropper when he was about 5 years old and got hooked on krill and wouldn't eat anything else. The vet recommended cat food then, but I see it's not recommended here.

I haven't heard of jello shots. What are they? I haven't seen Nature Zone aquatic turtle food in any of the pet stores here. We have some different products in Canada, but I'm willing to try anything. Can this be ordered?

Thank you!!

[marisa]

I'm assuming the seasons are changing where you are; the appetite can be affected by such a change and this could in part be what you're seeing, especially if there are no other behavioral changes.

[weepixieni]

i only got my turtle on monday so am no expert but already i know his wee personality and habits harvey is very fussy 2 and wont eat anything but krill goin 2 try veg 2mara nite he is very attention seeking and i usually sit in the kitchen and watch tv beside his tank 4 a few hrs everynite he knows now and gets very attention seeking when am in the room he has even started 2 walk on2 my hand now so i can lift him out and he will sit quite happy beside me on his wee heated placemat and watch tv dnt ask where i found the placemat i just thought it was a gd idea at the time but anyway he wont eat if i dnt play wiv him.