Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an african side-neck turtle and he refuses to eat anyting but mill worms. Ive tried to stop feeding him worms till he ate the fish, but he just starves himself till you feed him worms agian. Is it possibly for a water turtle to survive on mill worms alone? Or will he eventually get sick and die because his diet doesn't have variety?

Anna Z

Yep,just like for people,a single item diet won't work forever.

What else have you tried feeding him?

About how large are the feeder fish?They aren't goldfish,are they?

Some other things I'd try would include frozen(thawed) shrimp,earth/red worms(might have to go to a "bait" shop for them if your in the snow belt right now),& crawfish(small).

Another thing.Have you tried any dried/prepared foods?Reptomin & Jumbo Min-both from Tetra-are two that I've used w/success.

Ive tried feeding him goldfish, and rosi reds, but he wont eat them anymore. Ive given him earth worms before he ate those, but he perfers giant mill worms. He has a uva/uvb full spectrum plant/reptile florescent light, and a heat lamp. So he cant get enough calcium inbetween the light and shell from the worms>? what other kinds of fish could I try to feed him. He wont eat regular turtle food either, he doesnt like anything that isnt alive. I just dont know what to do hes a very finiky eater. He was in a 49 galon tank, and now he is in a 130 galon pond, which i dont fill all the way so I can keep the water warm. Could it be the water temp>? I switched him to the pond because he outgrew his tank. Could this of effected his eating habits>?
thanks for all the help,
Anna Z