General Care Discussion :: Turtle not growing

[Raihana]

I have a small (about 3") red ear slider that I rescued from one of my son's friends about a year ago. It seems perfectly healthy (the crack that was in it's shell when I got it has even completely healed) except for the fact that it hasn't grown much (if at all). What would keep a red ear slider from growing but otherwise keep it healthy?

[grey goose]

The amount and quality of food is a big factor in growth. Also enviromental (habitat) also plays a role....
What types of food are you offering? Does he get excited-beg at feeding time, or does he seem lazy or listless?
Do you have a basking area w/UVB and a heat lamp?
How is the water quality/filtration? What's the water temps?
Do you have a pic of his shell that you could post?
Turts are very good at masking an illness.

[missibsu]

Try answering some of these questions
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2142

[Raihana]

How big is your turtle? shell without curve is 2.5"
How long have you had it? 1 yr and about 3 mos

What is the water temperature? 78 degrees F
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? about 10"
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes (also 1/3 - 1/2 H2O change at least every 2 weeks vacuming from the bottom of the tank)

What is the basking temperature? 90 degrees at the glass
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? commercial floating dock, not sure of material, the new one is almost triangular in shape, this was recently added, before that I had the turtle dock but it stopped wanting to float.)
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it?Currently feeding Wardley's Reptile sticks, supplement by dusting with ReptoCal about 1X weekly, also have guppies in tank and he catches 1 on occasion although he always goes for them he's just not fast enough.
When was the last time your turtle ate? Today (6 sticks)

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 55 gallon
Is the tank near a window? it is to the left of a north-facing window
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? yes

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes, I have also read much other info.
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? No, sorry about that, it is only with this question that I see the advanced search link.

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? No

Turtle is very active, swims and basks fine, has molted a few times since I've had it. He/she begs for food and willingly takes food from my fingers when offered. Shell is correctly formed when compared with other young RES and is not at all soft. When I got it there was a crack (about 1/4") that someone had repaired with superglue and (tape/paper?). Turtle came to me through one of my son's friends, he had the turtle for about a month as I understand it, during which time it had been living in a lastic rubbermaid style shoebox with a rock in the center, he had gotten the turtle through a classmate who had carried it to school in his pocket.

Like I said, he/she seems very healthy, it hust hasn't grown.

[Raihana]

Forgot to mention. Batch of food prior to this was Reptomin and I also supplement with cuttlebone bits.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[grey goose]

Everything sounds good to me. Mabye he's just a late bloomer.....

[Raihana]

I've spent a good deal of time here reading since last night and did discover I had underestimated the need for greens / veggies and will add this to the mix for diet could this be the issue?

[grey goose]

Oh yes, veggies are important. Start with romaine lettuce, but check the stickies, try to get him interested in as many veggies as possible. Fruit should only be offered as a treat.....

[Raihana]

The only greens he has really eaten was a pothos that I mistakenly thought I'd grow in the tank (thank goodness I had made sure to only use a non-poisionous plant!) The plant didn't last a week. LOL

I fed dandelion leaves today and they were readily eaten.

[marisa]

If you're concerned about your turtle's growth, it would be good if you kept track of your turtle's weight and size so that you can know for sure how much your turtle is growing. Get scale (like a food scale) and weigh your turtle monthly, at the same time each month. At this time, also measure the length of your turtle's shell down the back (from the scute behind the neck to the ones above the tail and don't include the curve of the shell; this is the SCL or Straight Carapace Length). Slow and steady growth is what you're aiming for.