Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok we just got a turtle from a friend who said they just found it in their backyard. We asked if we could keep it cuz they do not want it. They said it was turning black. I figured that it was a RES.The red,yellow,green markings are dulling. It is about 8 inches. It still walks around fine. Shy at first but getting use to us. What can I do to make it better? So it looks like what it is supposed to be. It ate a little bit. Got some turtle vitamin enricher and food pellets. Does not show much interest. How can i get its appetite back? And its shell seemd to be peeling. Just like a thin layer not the shell itself. Raising funds just in case needs to go to the vet. What can I do in the mean time. Please reply asap

I just got my turtle who was in bad condition. Just make sure you get him a good environment to live in. A lot of people on here will say to make sure his tank is big enough....10 gallons to 1 inch of the turtle. Good filtration is a good thing too. I dont really know what the best filter out there is...but I did read that you should get a filter that is rated for double the amount of water you have in the tank. I did get a 30 gallon filter for my little guy. I do have a small tank for him, but for now it has to do, due to lack of space. If your turtle does look bad, I recommend that you do take him to a herp vet(wow. I have learned a lot from these forums.)

My turtle Koopa has some weird fungus growing on him and that has algea growing on that. Its pretty gross, and I feel bad for the little guy. I have put him on a diet. He seems to like to eat those aquatic plants you can get from the pet store. So I give him those. I got some reptomin pellets that I add a calcium suppliment 2 times a week for him to get his shell back in order. Koopa didnt look like he was in any pain and had no symptoms of him being a sick turtle other then the obvious. I decided to try a good diet, proper lighting and such. He is getting a lot better and I belive we will have a full recovery soon.

You can try proper care for your turtle. If things dont look better in a day or two....find a herp vet.

Good Luck!!

So the things that are kinda like chipping off its shell is algea. It looks like the stuff that is peeling can be peeled off. Should I peel them off. Other thing is that my turtle is not eating at all now. Water plants are good as you have suggested. What about crickets and worms? He does not show interest in his food. I am going to build him a pond in my backyard is that a good idea. Dont think he is going to fit in my 20 gallon fish tank. He is a lil over 8". For the algea I just need to give it vitamins right. What can I do to get him eating? Ok thanks for the info.

I hope someone else more knowledgable then me will chime in here at some point to offer help as my knowledge is very little. You may wanna scroll through a few past messages here. Others may have had the same problem you have. I read somewhere in the forum from someone who is very knoledgable that you should be able to scrub off the algea with a soft brush(toothbrush maybe?) but that it really isnt harmful to the turtle. Adult turtles should eat more veggies. Mine has taken to some water plants. He seems to like them and I can get them at petsmart for cheap. He also eats crickets. I would say get him 2 or 3 and feed them to him 1 at a time to see if he likes them. That is what I did. Guppies and Minnows are fish I read here that are not as bad as Goldfish to give them.

Best advice....Read through these forums and listen to what people have to say. They are smart!!!!

The scutes shedding off is normal. It isnt algae, it is just what happens as he gets bigger and his shell grows. Dont peel them, they come off when they are ready. Older RES do fade their colors, it is part of them getting older. Nope, he wont be happy in your 20 gallon tank
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

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sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]

thanks dsgngrl - I was about to chime in but you got it all.

Also I would get him a 55 gallon tank or 55 gallon rubbermaid tub at the very least to make him comfortable.

Post a picture if you can but it does sound like a mature slider who is getting darker with age. I have had some pretty colorful ones get dark and blackish in color as they matured.

Hello. Yeah it is pretty big and good thing I did not scrub the scutes yet. I will post a pic soon when I get my camera. squirtle is still not eating on my way to get aquatic plants though. Gave it bananas, lettuce, pellets,worms,soon crickets. When I put the food w/ him in its little pool it just ignores it. And tries to get over the barriers. How can I tell how old my turtle is? The claws are so long too but I just left them alone. Ok thanks guys.

RES, just like most turtles, lose their colors with age. It might just be a normal thing.

If the claws are really long then you have a boy!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

I am confused about the terms "little pool" and barricades...how are you housing him? His whole tank should be a big pool, he shouldnt just have a little bit of water in with him. RES are aquatic turtles.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

____

sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]

True. Are you trying to feed him on land or in the water.
Also if the poor guy was free he may be stressing being kept captive which is another reason why he may not be eating. Sliders only eat in the water. They may snap something up in their mouths on land but will run to the water to eat it.

Thanks for the info. So man I guess my squirtle is old. I thought he was that color cuz he was neglected by previous owner. Well in my 20 gallon he was not eating. I put him in a plastic 50 gallon retangular tub. To see if he will like it before I get a 90gallon from ebay. Tried to make him feel at home. Basking place w/ pebbles and a foot deep of water. Did not eat the water plant I got from petco or the lettuce or carrots or worms. Petco guy just gave me random plants should have asked you guys for what type.He just tries to get out.So I built him a pond in the backyard. Likes it much better.Lil kiddy pool with a ramp out to the dry land.10' by 6'bordered by sandbags. Ate a lill of the aquatic plants. It is still shy. I want to hand feed it but just dives in or goes in the shell. How do I make it not scared of us.

He's just going on instinct. He needs to adjust to his captive environment. The pond was a great idea. He will feel more at home. You may never get to feed out of your hand but in time I am sure he will at least settle down a bit.