Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My two daughters went into NYC and each bought a 1to2 inch RES from a place down on Canel Street. I have to admit I thought they would live a week or two and that would be it. They were in a 10 gallon tank without a filter, heat, or anything. We just changed the water every week and that was it. They had rocks to climb on to get out of the several inches of water. Realizing these guys were strong and deserved a real set-up(and they lived over two months) I went out and got a larger tank, filter, heater, floating thing, and the stuff to add to the water. The place also gave me a 2-3 inch RES.

I set-up the tank and started to watch these guys and they are amazing. Watching them eat is really interesting. They have been in the new set-up about 10 days now. At first all three ate and all seemed to be thriving. The smallest one hasn't eaten in several days (from me watching after food is in the tank)and he basks a lot. When I come near the tank the others will jump into the water and this little guy just stays there and when he is in the water, he is very inactive. I also want to say that one of his claws doesn't look right, it looks very small and is always sucked in under his shell.

Any thoughts on things I can try to give him to perk him up? It is upsetting that he lived several months in a set-up that was right and now that he is in a nice set-up he isn't doing well.

Thanks! Brian and my daughters

Well there is either two problems with your young turtle. One is that it may not like the environment or the turtles it is with. or Two, it might be a medical problem. Try switcing the small turtle back to the 10 gallon tank alone and see what happens. If it still has the same habit of not eating and being inactive, bring it to the vet asap as it might have some kind of medical problem.