Feeding and Nutrition :: new turtle wont eat for a week

[tarasee]

My dad found a red slider turtle on the streets and he wont eat AT ALL. its been a week and a half since we found him, and he hasn't opened his mouth yet. He still is active when he's swimming, and prefers to bask in the water instead of a rock. Please help me, we don't want him to die! :cry:

[tammi]

Have you tried giving him tuna? That's what got my little guy to eat after a week.

[tarasee]

I'm the sister of this owner of this account. Recently my Dad found a RES on the road. He put it in the bathtub. After some research we bought it a small tank and sun-dried krill. He wouldn't eat the krill, but I think he's graceful to get out of the bathtub. He's pretty active (he spends all he time trying to escape.) We also tried to feed him a grape, a piece of lettuce, and frozen fish and he refused them all.
We do keep the water warm. He dosen't bask, if you count underwater basking. He's kinda aggessive.
We really want him to eat!!! He might die if he dosen't. It's been a week!!! So please tell us how to make him eat!!
But any tips on how to keep him are most welcome!!!
(I'm not sure if it's a he.)

[tammi]

Try live feeder fish (rosey minnows or guppies) he will chase and catch them. Or smelly tuna.
How big is he? And what's the tank size.

[tarasee]

Cooked or raw tuna?

[tammi]

canned will work

[tarasee]

3 inch turtle, 12 by 24 tank

[tammi]

That tank will work for a short time. But your gonna need much bigger soon

[tarasee]

Thanks

[tarasee]

Also, how much stuff to we give the turtle in a week.

[tammi]

I feed daily some feed ever other day. The amount to feed is what will fit the size of their head.

[marisa]

Are they native to your area? If so and if the turtle is wild, try some live food (pieces of earthworm for example). Even captive turtles are attracted to moving food.