Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all! Not too long ago i picked up these two 03 baby alligator snapping turtles. They are great but i have one problem i am curious about. They have that green muck/ick all over their shell, tail and top of their head. I have seen this with many other snappers. It seems that it just builds up over time but i feel it is due to not keeping the water clean enough, letting the water be stagnant etc. I have my two snappers in a 29 gallon tank that i try to change out the water every other day, although admitidly, it sometimes goes a little over. Anyway, i feel this may be the problem. If so, the solution i would think would be a good filter, etc which i would like to do anyway. I actually would like to put them in a 4ft by 2ft enclosure that is pretty big and i am not really sure about what kind of filter i should use for one this size to keep the cleansliness i want?

Anyway, basically, i just want to know, What is this green stuff anyway? How do i get rid of it? And how do i keep it away? Any info is helpful. I am fairly inexperienced with aquatic turtles.

dqreps@msn.com

Thanks,
Dallas

I'm pretty sure you are talking about algae, it can grow on every turtle, for mine it seems the algae grows on the turtles and the rocks in the tank because of the heat lamp, it's really strong. You can easily rub it off their shells with your thumb, or with a paper towel, etc. It comes off easy, it can't harm the turtles or anything, you can just leave it there if you want to. It has nothing to do with the water cleanliness, it's a problem with the light on the tank or if the tank is near a window and sun can shine through. Also though, I don't consider algae a problem.
Michael
Michael's Place

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http://www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

Helmz614@aol.com

Yeah, i have a lamp to help the water plants grow and it is also kind of close to a window. It does grow on the rocks like you say, and also on the sides of the tank etc. I guess it is not a problem, it is just one of those things that irrate me that i would like to get rid of. Thanks for the info!

Dallas

Its just algae.
When the big ones are caught, they are covered with from natural sun.
It doesn't hurt anything.
If you go to a less intensive light, you'll find it will wear off on its own.
I have a couple of my small ones that were clear of it in about 4-5 months with less light.
Its harmless.

I have a bulb that is on about 12hrs a day. Sometimes one of them basks but the other one never does. I would like to have the least amout of light as possible if they do not need a lot. However, if it is important to alligator snappers, like many other turtles, then so be it. If the algea does not hurt them, that is great. It just looks ugly to me. I am a perfectionist/clean freak, well, kind of, and it just bugs me. Any info is always appreciated.

Thanks,
Dallas

as long as the algae growth on your turtles' shells is green, it is not only not a problem, it is a sign of good health.
in nature, nearly all snappers maintain a growth of algae on their caripace as an augmentation to their natural camoflage.
personally, i would not view it as a problem, nor would i take steps to remove it or inhibit it. if anything, it probably makes your turtle feel more natural. its kinda like telling a french woman to shave her armpits, ya know? (no offense, i'm french)