Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello!

I recently found a 3 inch eastern spiny softshell in a creek after some heavy storms, and it is pretty thin. I wanted to help it get back on its feet, so I set it up in a small aquarium with no substrate, and a piece of flower pot to hide under. I've offered minnows and crayfish, but the animal hasn't responding to food for the past 3 days. Overall, it is active and still has good coloration.

Are there any other suggestions that could be made to help this turtle get back to a good state of health?

I've worked with many other turtle species, but softshells are reclusive in my area. They are so delicate and different from other turts, and this is going to be a valuable learning experience for future occasions.

Thanks,

Neil

try stunning or maiming the fish and tr small red wiggler worms or very young earthworms. Live crickets are sometime spopular with young softies as well.
Keep him warm and keep the water shallow

i'd get a few inches of good fine play sand (and wash it) as a substrate.

keep the water very clean....frequent changes

check every few days for lesions or fungus on the shell or skin

keep sharp objects out of the tank (that applies even to fairly rough rocks)

do not make him have to swim to the surface for air
or at least provide a shelf half submerged covered with sand to make a "shallow" region