Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was told when I bought my turtle (about a week ago) that he was an african side-neck. I haven't been able to find much info on him at all. I had him in a 135 gallon tank with a few other turtles with a 2 ft basking area. He stayed mainly on the basking area and didn't appear to like the water. He hasn't eaten and doesn't seem happy. Now I have him in temperary 10 gallon with cypress chips ontop of dirt (I used it as a laying tank for my painteds). He has burried himself, and still won't eat (he has worms and shrimp available).
Any sugestions????
I can't find a care sheet on him anywhere so I really don't know what kind of environment he is really suppose to have. Also, any hints on getting him to eat. Its been a week, I'm really concerned
Thanks

All I can tell you is what has worked for me succesfully for the last 7 years. I keep them with a water temp of 78 - 82 and a basking area of 85. Food consists of live fish, snails, crickets, earthworms, dark leafy greens, and pelleted foods for aquatic turtles. Water depth is about 8 inches max with a shallower areas as well. My own personal preference is not to mix species. Each species I keep is in a different tank.

Is this a captive bred animal or an import? Regardless, you should always quarantine animals for a period of time before introducing them to other animals in your collection. A fecal exam for new animals should also be a standard husbandry practice.

I think the best thing possible at this stage would be to take your animal in to se a vet. It is impossible for anyone to diagnose what is wrong with it over the internet. Best of luck

http://www.turtlepuddle.org/exotics/pelusios.html

Did you get him from Petco? It is wild caught. TRy looking up African Helmited Turtle, another name for them. Pelomedusa subrufa is the scientific name.
I would take him to a vet, it could be parasites or respiratory.

No, I got her from a local store here in town and she's captive breed. I put her in a different tank and she seems to be doing better now. She's eating but still seems slugish. I think I'm going to give it a few days to see if the new tank makes her feel better.

Try elevating the temperatures a bit.
Many of these guys seem to arrive stressed and sick.

FWIW if the turtle is over three inches and a pelusios or pelomedusa i'd be amazed if it were captive bred.These are wild caught and shpped to the states in large numbers.

Try live worms as a food.
And i would agree that keeping it away from other turtles is agood idea.