Feeding and Nutrition :: RES wont eat in seperate container

[Cavalli707]

Hi All,

My RES is a big scaredy cat. He HATES being anywhere outside his tank. He will eat in his tank just fine, but this creates a very dirty environment very quickly. I always read that you should feed your turtle in a separate container to reduce food waste in the tank but what should I do if my RES wont eat in another tank because he's so skiddish/scared/freaked out? He's not a very big RES, about a year and a half old now, but only the size of a cell phone (if you rounded out an iPhone to the shape of a turtle shell...).

Thank you!

LC

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Your probably just gonna have to keep feeding the turtle in the tank sorry to say. Some are like that and will not eat unless they are in there home and feel safe. I have kept some of my turtles hours in a seperate container with food and will not touch it.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Yeah, your turtle is like mine, will never touch his food unless he is in his tank. Sorry but your just gonna have to feed him in the tank but if you have a good filter any crumbs should be picked up by it.

[marisa]

How long have you had him? If it hasn't been that long, I'd keep feeding in the tank for now and try the feeding container again after he calms down a bit (some turtles will always be skittish, though). If it still doesn't work, then just feed him in the tank.

Not overfeeding (if your RES seems to be leaving food, feed a little less) so that there isn't anything left to turn to debris in the tank will also help keep the water a little cleaner. As will netting out poop when you see it.

[sagoy]

Keep trying, mine learned to love the separate container. Use enticing food like pellets, vegetables soaked in tuna oil, etc. when you're in the separate container, if he won't eat after a few minutes put him back in the tank to feed him. Rinse and repeat everyday, or every other day.