Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 1:27 pm Re: Feeding list! (Add yours here)
Iggy -> 16 years old, shell is roughly 4.5 inches long.
Rocky-> 13 years old, shell is roughly 8 inches long.
I feed them pellets more or less daily, about equal to the size of their heads combined, maybe slightly less.
Occasionally I give them other treats, like dried shrimp, or something, but easily 90% of their diet has been ReptoMin food sticks.
I do keep some fish in the tank with them, the fish usually eat most of the food that drops to the bottom. Sometimes one or both of the turtles will manage to catch a fish and eat it, but that's pretty rare.
All in all, I suspect I've been over feeding my turtles lately, but then they seem healthy, without any obvious signs of being over fed. Although the bigger one, is clearly not and has never been in danger of being under fed. I think the little one gets enough, but it is a bit of a mystery why he's not grown any larger then he has in the 16 years I've owned 'him'. Honestly , I'm not entirely sure of the actual gender of either of these turtles. I always thought the bigger one was female and the smaller male, but I really don't know for sure, as there's never been any obvious sign of gender that I have seen.
I just obtained some Mazuri Fresh Water Turtle Diet food... From what I'm seeing, it doesn't 'dissolve' in the water as quickly as the ReptoMin, I'm somewhat hopeful that I can feed maybe a little less, that the turtles will actually consume the same amount, but less of the food will dissolve in the water, fingers crossed... I hope that my water stays cleaner, filters need fewer cleanings, etc...
Long time turtle owner (15+ years).
One Painted turtle, one Yellow Belly Slider, 120 Gallon tank filled to maybe 80 Gallons