General Care Discussion :: lots of white stuff?

[kamekichi]

Hey Turtle Talk forum!

So this stuff has been increasing in the tank today. Trying to figure out if it's shed skin - it looks too big and solid to be but when I net it out, it is close to skin, just not translucent like shed skin. If so, how much shedding is normal? My guys seem to shed all the time, even though I keep the water temp around 75 and tested the water with reasonable results (a little alkaline, but not bad)





They had a small scare Friday - the heat lamp shattered and flew everywhere, but no cuts and I took them out immediately, so I don't think it's related...

[AlexisAwesome]

Someone with the same problem last time. Sex of turtle? Might be sperm.

[kamekichi]

Thanks for the reply, AlexisAwesome. There was more of it this morning. They haven't been properly checked for sex yet since they're only a year and both around or under 3 inches. The guess has always been Taro's a girl and Yawara a boy, but it's just a guess...

Also, don't know if it makes a difference, but we recently (past month and a half) switched them over to every other day feedings of pellets to keep them from being overfed. I usually put green leaf lettuce, anacharis, or kale in between feedings, but we didn't have any the past couple of days.

[Tinky'sMom]

Could it be something coming back up and out of your filter?

[steve]

Does it break apart when you pick it up?

[kamekichi]

It might be, Tinky'sMom. I recently changed the zorb and filter pad after our heat lamp shattered.

I can't really touch it, Steve - it's about the consistency of shed skin, maybe even less - not all that solid, if that makes sense? When I go to touch what I netted out, it's like there's nothing. But there's so much of it.

[steve]

Do you want to post some pics so we can sex them?

[kamekichi]

Sorry for the delayed response, guys, Things looked a bit better for a bit, then it started again and now Yawara is acting sluggish (still eating fine and the two things may not be related.) Anyway, here are a few pics of him and his tail/claws - let me know if you need something different to tell gender. Again he is 1 and aabout 2.5/3 inches.

[Gurgi's Mom]

May have to wait a little longer before we can tell for sure... normally around 4 inches. But if I were to take an early guess - I'd say female.

[kamekichi]

Thanks Gurgi's Mom! I'd heard it'd be awhile before I could tell, but I'm certainly curious. The funny thing is, I named my turtles based on Taro being male and Yawara being female, but it looks like Taro is probably female and maybe Yawara as well. 1 out of 2's not bad, right? I've seen less of the white stuff, but still lots of shedding. I'll keep an eye on it.