our baby turtle still doesn't swim around at all. He stays in the shallow part of the water or he basks on his rock. He pooped yesterday so I know hes not constipated. We've had him for a week now. When he swims(he gets off the rock into the water and swims around it to the shallow end) he kinda tilts when he starts off but soon rights. I can't tell if his eyes are puffy(don't know how to tell) but he doesn't have a discharge coming from anyware.
tank size- 10 gallon
turtle size-1 1/2 inches(shell size)
water temp-75
basking- spot light
temp-85
site-large rock top dry
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normal?
foxykitty911
Jun 05, 2006 05:07 PM
Replies (5)
joeysgreen
Jun 06, 2006 04:21 AM
What's the diet and appetite?
The shell appears kinda small for this turtle, but as hatchlings are illegal to sell around here, I don't have alot of hands-on with them.
Ian
foxykitty911
Jun 06, 2006 04:37 PM
He eats two of those turtle sticks every other day.(i've tried feeding him more, and also a variety of different kinds but he won't eat anything else)
joeysgreen
Jun 07, 2006 06:17 AM
YOu've only had him for a week, so I"m sure food intake will increase as it starts to feel comfortable in the new surroundings. Add UV lighting to your husbandry if not already done. While I'm not certain, it makes sense that hatchling turtles don't feel safe in open water. Perhaps try adding some foilage to the enclosure to help it feel more secure.
GOod luck 
Ian
foxykitty911
Jun 08, 2006 10:53 PM
so I brought the baby turtle to the vet because he was becoming even more lethargic. The vet decided that he had a resp. infection. So now I have to inject him with antibiotics for ten days.
I'll give an update when I'm done.
winter_sunset
Jul 28, 2006 11:58 PM
Yea. i have 2 hachlings (well a bit older, about 3-4yrs) and they got sick too. i had to give them shots for 10 days. they got better really fast though so i think you have a good chance. most resp. infections come from cold temperatures (as mine did). but 85 degrees sounds really good. check on the water quality and get a filter/better filter. good luck!
