General Care Discussion :: New RES Owner; Cohabitation Concerns!

[rgregg4]

Hello, I am a new res owner, I have had my two little guys (about 2 inch and 2.5 inch respectively) for about a week and a half now.

Health wise they seem fine, they are both very active, bask regularly and have been eating plenty, although the bigger one is getting more of the food (the smaller one still seems to get enough).

They had seemed to be cohabitating well at first but now I have some concerns. I have seen the little one stick his foot under the bigger one and push off the basking platform twice. Not sure if this is normal playful behavior or fighting.

Also, over the past two days they have been fluttering at each other, the smaller one started it yesterday and today they were both doing it to each other. However, there has been no biting or chasing anything like.

It is my understanding that the fluttering can be either a mating dance or aggression, at less then 3 inches aren't they too young for this behavior?

Except for the couple of instances they seem okay, for instance right now they are stacked on each other basking together.

Thanks

[TheComputerGremlin]

How big is the tank?

Fluttering is likely aggression, even if mating is an option. I would highly recommend that you either increase the space a lot (which only may solve the problem) or separate them immediately. Once fluttering begins, it's only a matter of time before a serious injury or death will result. You would need at least a 50 gallon tank right now if not larger in hopes of preventing further aggression.

[BullDog]

Unfortunately, they are never too young for aggression.

To start off, I would suggest feeding the two separately. Otherwise, the smaller one will likely not got a proper amount of food since the bigger one will keep hogging all the food.

As for that, keep an eye out for more serious aggression. The first sign of biting, and you should separate them ASAP.

[jawsspeedymrt]

Congrats on the RES. Be prepared to get a bigger tank for them soon. Mine were the same size when I got them. Now there in a 100 gallon pond outside here in florida. Sounds like their just playing. Try feeding the smaller one in another container with water. See if he eats more without the other one. One of my turtles died when they were little due to the larger one eating all the food. Besides that everything sounds fine. Hope you'll post some pictures of them.

[Take-One]

separate them ASAP. I am separating mine and they get along just fine. It will help you in the long run. Them basking on each other is just no more basking room.

[bradmeisel]

I used to hand feed them so that they got equal amouts of food.

[trudykurz]

New RES owner. Can you help me? I'm desparate for information

[trudykurz]

Please anyone new RES owner I need help trying to give this guy the best life because he was in horrible conditions

[BullDog]

Trudy - Read through the main site (www.redearslider.com). If you have any other questions, you can create a thread with the question and someone will answer it to the best of their ability.

[trudykurz]

I don't know what a thread is. I have downloaded everything from this site and I'm still going through it. I have also bought three books and I find conflicting information. I just want to give the best care I can to this turtle, he / she is so cool. When I click on the new sections they come back as being under construction. Can you give me any information as to the housing of your turtle?

[untsmurf]

If you click on one of the sections, like general care for example, there's a button on top that says: +new topic. Click on that and ask any questions you have.

You can do it in every section and ask whatever you need.