Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my male spotted has had eye problems for some time... a crusty formation whenever he is out of water for long periods, I.E. sleeping... Back in the water, he cleans his eyes off, and goes about his business naturally. Recently, he has been staying out of the water more, and he doesn't appear to be eating. He is on Rep-Cal aquatic turtle pellets, and the occasional cricket feeding. He is housed in a 150 gallon tank equipped with a Sand Shark, H.O.T., Eheim, and 1200 GPH pong filter. The tank has about 50-60 gallons of water at all times, which, with 200 pounds of rock and gravel, makes the deep end of the tank about 8-10 inches deep.

I can't figure out what is wrong with him... he has just recently become lethargic, and I have not changed anything in over 6 years... (except the water) I have turtle eye rinse, but whenever he is being held, he keeps his head well hidden inside his shell. Any suggestions on how to administer the eye rinse, and any suggestions on his new found laziness, would be appreciated. He is going to the vet, along with his female counterpart, 3 sugar gliders, and 2 beardies, some time this week.

I hear those pong filters can cause lots of tank damage, so I'll change it to a pond filter. =)

I have been feeding a variety of foods, ranging from Pick-N-Save bought aquatic turtle food, to crickets, superworms, silkworms, fruits, and the Turtle BML, which is basically a mixture of human foods (seafood, veggies, fruits, and herp vitamin supplements)... currently, I am feeding Rep-Cal pellets, and occasional crickets, and it seems as though both of my turtles are completely uninterested in the pellet food.

I'd like to see what you other spotty owners feed your kids. After 6 years, you'd think I would have figured out what they like to eat.

Pinkie mice are great, but I wouldn't make it the staple diet. Stick to repto-min pellets for staple diet, keep offering them. Worms and tadpoles are good too. Occasionally fish, all sorts of bugs.

-Jesse

Some spotties can be picky. I have 4.6. and 5 babies that all feed on pellets and sticks. My group eats pellets, worms, crikets,romain,strawberries and fish. Pellets make up about 70 percent of their diets. I can get them to eat only pellets but they get FAT! It took some time to acclimate one adult female to feeding on pellets. For months she would only eat worms, then only fish and then nothing. They would all stop eating around august ,about the time they would estavate(summer hibernation when it gets hot). The only thing I did was offer everything twice a week .Then I would house the non feeding turtles with the others and it seemed to work. They would see the others eating pellets and join in. I have never had this problem with c.b. turtles. 3.3 OF MY TURTLES WERE WILD CAUGHTS ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. The rest I bread myself.It takes more time but c.b. babies are much better to work with. Less problems feeding,breeding, and more healthy overall. The problem female is now doing great and laid 9 eggs this year in 3 clutches.
Your male sounds like it has a respiratory infection .Try to give him a warm tank and basking site and put some tetracycline in his water untill you see the vet. Hopefully he will give him a shot of batril.

Bilatteral eye congestion is often a secondary symptom of repiratory infection (channels that run behind the eye become inflamed). Check his breathing: is it clear and crisp or crackly and moist? You can do this by forcing him to withdraw into his shell quickly with your ear near his nose. If so, he needs injectable antibiotics - Baytril or amikacin. consult your vet.

Thanks all... vet appointment already scheduled for Monday at 5:30

How's your Spotted doing?
Eyes cleared up?
Vet's diagnosis?

Hope he's doing well!