Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This turtle lives with a cage mate in a 20 gallon tank (they're moving on up this next weekend to a larger tank)with a wicked nice filter. I keep their home clean but spotted this green just under one of his layers he is about to shed. Which by the way is toooo thick. I read they (shell sheddings)shouldn't really be noticeable but these guys are droppign thick old lady toe nail shells . Could that be lack of sunlight or vitamins? I have them under the required lighting. I could always use a reason to build that pond out back These guys are fed regularly with a varied diet according to Phillipe De Vosjoli's book. I appreciate any input, would you want that green stuff on yo' back? Nasty!

looks like algae
not really a problem in general
but anything that gets under shedding scutes could lead to long terms shell problems.
you need cleaner water.
(the bigger tank will help)
and by all means build the pond...these guys should have at least ten square feet of water each as adults.

if you are conrned, rinse the turtle, apply some antiseptic (the ones turtle people always mention are nolvasan and betadine but lots of household stuff is antimictobial in nature(rubbing alcohol for instance) , just keep it away from the eyes and don't soak the turtle in a solution of it (to avoid the turtle injesting any) and then keep the turtle dry for a few hours.
then rinse and return it to its tank
repeat several days in a row.

I wouldn't be too alarmed.. but then again I'm the type who says "let them be".. like when one of my adult RES's nail (the "smallest pinky one" fell off, I didn't do anything about it. I thought it was gone for good, little did I know they grow back so even better!

Anyways I think your just observing to close for starters. I mean I would only be alarmed of bleeding, softshell, or respitory infections - other then that I wouldn't mind it too much.. because frankly if your looking that close you will find something wrong which is usually nothing. Speaking of softshell or algae on the shell, I think your turtle's shell is fine and looks very healthy. Just make sure it gets enough time on the basking rocks and it'll be cool