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I was mortified to find my 5 year old male turtle dead in his aquarium this morning. His front leg was stuck in the 12mm tubing that sucks water into my canister filter. I assume he drowned trying to get free. How horrible.

I had the tube suctioned cupped to the glass in several places and the bottom of the tube (suction part) was near the bottom of the aquarium. This had been the set up for the last five years. The bottom suction cup had come loose and the tube floated sideways just a little, but enough for my turtle to get sucked in. I never believed the suction was that strong. I also would not have thought he could fit his foot into the tubing. Apparently, I was very wrong.

So, heads up to anyone out there using a similar set-up. While the canister filter keeps the water sparkling clean, you need to be very careful in how you set it up. I have rearranged my tank so that the tubing is now held in place by suction cups and a piece of cork bark wedged in the tank as a land area. I have also stuck a smaller piece of tubing in the end of the suction tube making the opening smaller (hopefully this will not break the filter as I am restricting water flow). I have two female red ears and I believe my new set up will keep them from facing the same horrible death.

anet

Anet I'm SO sorry. How awful. I wouldn't think that the suction from the filter would be strong enough that a 5 year old turtle couldn't break free from it. I wonder if he died and then got stuck there. Either way, I know it's extremely upsetting.

I have a canister filter also but I have one of those guard things over the intake hose. However, I do keep an eye on it because my turtle has been known to knock it off and I'm always afraid that she'll get her head stuck in it.

PHLaure,

Thanks for your thoughts. In my panic and mourning, I never really considered the possibility that he died first and then got stuck. He seemed just as healthy as ever during the day and ate well. The only difference in him lately was that he had been trying to mate with one of the females. Could she have injured him to the point of death? I didn't see any marks or sores on him.

Anyone know of any causes of sudden death in a RES?

Your filter covers are a good idea. I used to use them, but the turtles always knocked them off, and like you I was afraid they would get hurt. Again, I appreciate your thoughts & time.

anet

I just wanted to say that I am very sorry for your loss.
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PHRatz

As am I. My sympathies.
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1.0.0 Crumpet
And on the eighth day, God created Alucard.

I think that if the female injured him you would have seen marks. Unfortunately without a necropsy, there's no way to know what happened.