Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all I'm new to post here on the site but ive been visiting regularly and really enjoy the site so i decided to join, i have a question about one of my 5 RES if anyone can offer some help it would be GREATLY appreciated.

I have have 5 RES i keep them in a 55gallon aquarium with 2 different lamps, a huge water filter and a good heater so i know the temps and the water clarity are good. all of them are extremely active eat and everything. but one of my hatchlings recently has developed a black patch (for lack of a better term) on its shell, and he now swims almost on his side.... it makes very little sense to me and ive never seen this type of thinng before, would anyone be able to tell me what they think it is? also would it threaten my other sliders?

I had a similar problem with one of mine. I took him to the vet (we don't have herp vets here) and she said it could be shell rot. I was instructed to keep him dry for four hours a day and coat the area with an iodine solution. He also had to have calcium tablets in his food (like dog vitamins). The swimming sideways seems a little strange though. My turtle has a misshapen and discoloured shell now but that was partly due to leaving it a while.

Swimming unevenly in the water is a sign of respiratory infection. This is FATAL in turtles if untreated. Go to your vet as soon as you can. In the mean time, raise the temp in the tank up to the low 80`s (80-84 degrees)

Wow seriously thankss for the heads up on the infection, ill check that out immediately. i didnt think itt would be one cause he breathes fine, and doesnt keep his mouth open like some infections ive seen. thanks for your help though