Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just got a turtle from a friend of my gf's mom. it's a red-eared slider and he seems to be in alright condition, though he wasnt KEPT in good condition. apparently the sucker is 18 years old, and hes about... 7-8 inches (shell length). anyways, any tips you have for me as far as turtles go would be greatly appreciated as this is my first turtle thx ahead of time...

something i might add... im not sure what a turtles shell is supposed to look like if in perfect condition, but his, when dry, has white residue on it. some of it can be easily scraped off while others, in the form of little tiny circles, cannot be. his shell is also somewhat flaky, for lack of a better word. also, on his bottom or yellow part, an entire scale has come loose and is hanging of almost like a hangnail. i took off a large part of it that was clearly not supposed to be there and could have perhaps gotten caught on something and ripped more of the shell off. any ideas on what might be wrong with his shell?

what was its diet before you got it and what are you feeding it? the scales peeling means its growing or its been over feed for long period of time. hope it helps and good luck
nathan

he was being fed a diet of strictly pellets before i got him. ive only had him for a few days and thus have only been feeding him the same pellets so far. today i got him some freeze dried freshwater shrimp. uhm, i cant remember what theyre called but he seems to like them alot more than the pellets.his shell isnt THAT bad, its not liek its torn up but it just seems a bit unhealthier than it should be...

try to feed him a few fish (live ones) some greens and stuff. he might not eat the fish right away but he will. just leave them in there. it sounds like hes just growing. can you post a picture of him/her?
nathan

yes. if you look above at my newer post there is a picture of him but its through my screen roof so you cant seem him that well. i will be taking some better pictures this evening once i get home. im at school but yes, i was planning on giving him live fish as soon as i can afford them. as i said in one of my posts im a bit broke so i will have to buy things one by one.
just out of curiosity, what exact benefits are there from feeing him live fish. can i feed him too many? what happens with a diet strictly of fish, freshwater shrimp and various greens and veggies? thx again... ACE

Here are some good links on Red Ears:
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/trachemyscare.htm
http://members.aol.com/TheWyvernsLair/turtles/Sliders-1.html
http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Is there any way you can get us a picture of his shell? It may be shell rot, which can be easily treated if caught early, if not caught early you have to visit a vet.
Stick with the pellets, but add more to his diet. You are speaking of Krill, correct? That is good, but not too much. Try earthworms, fish (live and dead), raw lean beef... Veggies, lettuces.
GOOD LUCK!