Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok - I am the one who asked al that advice about the set up for RES's. I just set up the 55 gallon tank for the two turtles. The smaller one (approx 7" is swimming and doing great. The larger one (considerably larger) is just walking and clunking around on the bottom. She can't seem to float or swim. Why is this? She needs to come up for air I assume! Help!

I should add that there is a basking device they can get up (if they swim to it that is!) Little one swims to it and uses it. Big one clunks around on the bottom and then sometimes looks like she is trying to climb the wall. But she won't swim. Does this mean the larger ones can't swim because they are too heavy?

no its not cause she's too heavy

i'd vet her asap. she could have some kind of internal problem going on...

the smaller one is 7" and the larger one is considerably larger, and you only have them in a 55 gallon? Doesn't seem right to me... I mean the "rule of thumb" is 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle, so if you use this.. you need at least a 70 gallon tank (filled to the top) just for the smaller one. Now i agree that turtles can live in a smaller amount of water than this, BUT that is a huge difference. you have 2 very large turtles shoved into a 55 gallon (probably not filled to the top) tells me that maybe your turtle doesnt have the room to swim around. But I don't know, mine are still small yet and they have plenty of room to swim. just doesnt seem like those large turtles would have enough room to swim in your tank!
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~ Evie

Pets:
RIP 0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger & Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.2 Snail {Gary & Larry}

So after I shut down the computer last night I went back to her and she was diving, swimming, crawling up to the basking area, etc. She swims fine! I do not know why she was acting like she couldn't.

Yes, I am aware of the rule of thumb. This 55 gal tank is much bigger than what they had before so they are really enjoying themselves. I have the water heated and UV going and a basking area in there and the filter filtering and they are happy snappy turtles.

Thanks for all of your help everyone!

that kind of swiming isnt a sign of anything bad. shes probly just curious about the new place. floating and cant go down can mean a dehydrated turtle. floating lopsided can be pnewmonia. but swiminmg low in the water isnt anything at all. no need for a vet