Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm not sure what this white stuff is, but it started in May when I took my turt outside for a bask in the sun. There was more during August, but it seems to have faded. There is also white marks on the bottom side. Just wondering if anyone knew what it is and if I have been taking care of my turtle wrong.

It's a recent picture, took it this Saturday. My turt was just chilling on the vegie it was suppose to be eating. My turt took a bite or two and just stopped and hung for 20 minutes.

Thanks in advance.

White stuff under the turtle's belly.

Well there are always questions to ask.... the pictures don't always tell all.

First of all, does your turtle's shell have an odor? Maybe like a rotting fish smell? Are the spots soft or hard? Can you scratch at them and something comes off? Do you condition your water at all or do you just use tap water?

I have 2 RES and they both came to me with shells looking like that. Best case senario, like in mine's case, is that they have build-up on their shell's from hard water. Their shell's have not shed properly and so for now it is Vitamin E treatments and some good scrubbings.

"First of all, does your turtle's shell have an odor? Maybe like a rotting fish smell?"
Nope, the turtle's shell doesnt have a scent of rotting fish.

"Are the spots soft or hard?"
The spots are actually hard.

"Can you scratch at them and something comes off?"
Some of the spots I can scratch off, the others don't seem to be affected and I'm afraid of using too much pressure.

"Do you condition your water at all or do you just use tap water?"
I use conditioned water. I use AquaSafe, bought it from the fish store for my bettas, then I leave it out for a day and then add the water around evening.

"I have 2 RES and they both came to me with shells looking like that. Best case senario, like in mine's case, is that they have build-up on their shell's from hard water. Their shell's have not shed properly and so for now it is Vitamin E treatments and some good scrubbings."
How do I get rid of hard water and what are some vitamin E treatments I should get?

Thanks

From what you are describing, and I am not a vet or anything I just have 2 RES with shell issues... that it MAY be the same thing. Make sure your RES has a good "land" area in your tank and that it is easily accessible. Make sure that your basking area is warmer than the water so it will encourage them to come out and give their shell some dry time.
Other than that you could buy a water softener but it is SUPER expensive (if anyone knows of a cheap PLEASE let me know). Just keep conditioning the water as you do and then once a month give your turtle some time away from the water for Vitamin E treatments.
Start off by giving your turtles shell a good scrub with a wet cloth and a betadine scrub. Once cleaned and rinsed you can move on to the vitamin E. You can buy vitamin E at the grocery store, anywhere that sells vitamins. They are little capsels that break open and a oily liquid is inside. Squeeze the capsule over the turtles shell until it breaks and oozes out.... use a couple so that you can really slather it over the whole shell. Keep your turtle out of the water for the whole day. The next day give them a good rinse with some antibacterial soap (be careful not to get this near the turtles face) because the soap will help cut the oils. Your turtle should be good to go back in the water after that. This problem is just cosmetic, it affects the look of the shell, but nothing more. I use the vitamin E to brighten the shells and get rid of the whiteish look they get, but that is about all you can do. Hope this helps!!!

I noticed recently my turtle's top shell has been looking like this too. I thought it was just shedding, but after further inspection it's not coming off, and its not soft. He is healthy and active, basks regularly. I'm not sure about the water, becuase I moved to Toronto 4 months ago. Could this be it? Just a build up? He eats greens and pellets, occasionaly some feeder fish. Do you think that vitamin E treatment really works?

Well the vitamin E is mostly cosmetic...... if it is indeed hard water and mineral deposits on the shell, aside from changing the water... there is not much else that can be done.