Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got my red eared slider Philbert from a pet store about a month ago, noticing a small red discoloration on his carapace on his costal scutes.
I took him home set him up in a 55 gallon tank with about 10 gallons his filter, heater, basking platform that adjusts so he can get onto it easier and his uvb light.

Help! He won't get out of the water!
I've placed him on his platform and even tried to bribe him with food but he grabs his food and plops himself right back into the water, and even worse hides under his dock so I'm afraid he's not getting enough UVB.
Also i've noticed that the red blotchiness under his shell is starting to grow.
I got a calcium block, and have been regularily changing his water, but I can't seem to get him to bask..
Any suggestions?
Thanks
-Courtney-

hi...
I really don't think that turtle isn't basking... RES hardly EVER bask when your around. They mostly bask when your gone or out of the room. Although if that is the case, I think that you should start taking him out of the tank for a couple hours a day until you see the discoloration go away, and 2 hours a week after that. Also, maybe he just isn't comfortable with his surroundings yet. He'll most likely grow into them. hope this is helpful...

how deep is the water? what is the water temperature? What is the temperature of the basking area? What kind of basking light do you have for him?

Redblotches developing on the plastron could be a sign of a serious health problem. Can you post a picture of this condition? What

what is the water temp? turtles bask because it is warm, but if your water temp is too warm it might just stay there. they prefer to be in the water anyway. i'de turn it to about 74F, if he doesn't bask in a week then thats not the problem. good luck and feel free to contact me at otis07_@hotmail.com if you have any more questions. happy holidays!

The water isn't extremely deep -- just big enough so that he can stick his head out of the water when he leans up against the side of his tank.
I have a UVB light on him but I'm considering a heat lamp.
I will post a picture asap.-- Tuesday.

that might be the problem, turtles usually bask for two reasons: to get warm, and to rest. if the water is shallow he might now need to rest. i'de raise the water level to at least 6 inches, and maybe lower the temp. a little too. good luck and happy holidays!