Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading the ingredients in reptomin and ethoxyquin was listed at the very bottem, it's a preservative/pesticide, I heard it's toxic to birds, is it safe to feed reptomin to aquatic/box turtles?
one more question, I found a little tiny quarter sized painted turtle on a bike trail I ride on, I was going to set it free near water but there were kids near by waiting for me to set it down and leave.. so I brought it home.. what should I feed the little guy? he seems to be very happy, he has very very small trout minnow in the water with him, will he eat them?
Thanks!

Reptomin is perfectly safe. I've used it for years now with no ill effects. As far as the painted is concerned, why not take it back and release it? The kids will never find it once it's in the water.

I have raised many, many juveniles to maturity with a diet high in Reptomin. It is the commercial preparation with the highest initial acceptance by juveniles. However, if your turtle initially refuses it, try cut-up smaller red or leaf worms to start and introduce Reptomin gradually. Unfortunately, juvenile painted turtles aren't the easiest species to raise successfully and you may want to consider the reply below. It is unlikely that a small juvenile can catch a small, active minnow, although larger individuals can sometimes learn to run them down. Although it sounds cruel, your best bet would be to stun the fish by squeezing it and ripping open its abdominal cavity to enhance its sensory appeal before offering it to the turtle. Feeder guppies (available at most pet shops) can also be used until the turtle adats to Reptomin.

Reptomin should not make up most of the turtles diet. Any pelleted food should only be a small portion of the turtles daily intake. Most pelleted food, including Reptomin, contains way to much protien. Feeder fish, crickets, aquatic plants, worms, ect. should all be fed. Turtles need a varied diet to stay healthy. Plus would you like to be fed the same thing each and everyday??
Chris D.

Juvenile aquatics require a high level of protein for proper development. As they age, many varieties shift to a more vegetarian diet but paited turtles remain primarily carnivorous. While I approve of a varied diet, Reptomin ensures proper calcium and vitamin content for juveniles, which may or may not be present in a live food diet. Minnows also have their downside because of their Thiaminase content, an enzyme which breaks down B vitamins, although this is usually not a problem if fed in moderation.
PS: My dogs, cats and bird are fed the same thing every day and don't seem to mind. In fact, one cat will eat nothing but his favorite brand of cat food.