I just recently got a slider hatchling about 3 days ago from a local pet store, and all he's eaten is a few bites of lettuce that first day... I've tried feeding him apples, carrots, and cucumbers, as well as pellets, feeder fish, and ghost shrimp. right now the setup is a shallow 10-ish gallon tank with a little more than 3 inches, a thermometer that tells me the temp is between 78 and 82, a rock for basking, fake plants for hiding, a 1 1/2"-2" pleco, and one little feeder fish that hides with a ghost shrimp in the rock(it's hollow). oh and i also have a light for basking. there are pretty big rocks at the bottom to serve as substrate as well. i've tried leaving him alone for a few hours at a time and still nothing. anyone have any suggestions? please let me know i'm really worried.
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my new baby isn't eating...
Replies (10)
Try frozen blood worms - most pet stores have them in the frozen foods section of the fish section. You can also try pieces of earthworm (about 1/4-1/2 inch long) and small crickets. It can take a turtle a few days to adjust to new surroundings, so it's normal for appetite to be low for a few days.
Did the store tell you that the slider can grow up to 8-12 inches?
Katrina
they told me, but I already knew that. Thanks!
Try dropping your water a couple of degrees, so that he has more of an incentive to bask.
Katrina
even if he's basking all the time?
Ah, well, if he's basking normally, then that's OK. Still, if he doesn't eat after a few more days, do try lowering the water just a couple of degrees.
Let us know when he starts eating.
Katrina
Isn't it true that warmer temperatures stimulate the appetite?
82F is a bit warm - combine that with constant basking, and it IS possible to be too warm. I've seen hatchlings that were kept at room temperature (roughly 70F) and a good basking site that did just fine.
Katrina
he's been eating for the past few days. now i have another one and he's pulling the same thing with me. i think it's just getting used to the new habitat. =)
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~Nancy
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My Pets:
9 year old West Highland White Terrier - Bridget
Slider Turtle Hatchling - Herb
Three Bettas - Depp, Shakespeare, & Jeremiah
Ghost Shrimp - Maude
Pleco - George
Ramshorn Snail - Bob
RIP:
Isis - albino rat
Jamie - Red eared slider
