Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently acquired a Red Eared Slider from someone that bought him on impulse without forethought of its requirements. I've set the turtle up in a ten gallon aquarium with 3-4 inches of water, a water filter(Fluval 2 Plus with activated carbon), and a basking spot.

The turtle's carapace is just over an inch in lengh so it must be relatively young. It is very alert, active, and strong. However I have noticed a couple of questionable spots on the turtle's shell.

The first is on the carapace. Along the center of the carapace there is a raised ridge that is much lighter than the rest of the shell. Is this normal?

Also, there are symmetrical dark spots on both sides of the plastron. Is this shell rot, or is it normal?

Finally, I am unsure of how much a young turtle should be eating daily. When I let it eat all that it wants it eats from 2 to 4 food pellets a day. Is this a healthy range for a young turtle?

Thanks in advance to any and all that assist me on this endeavor.

~Brian Smith

sounds like you are doing things right. about the possible shell rot...i am unsure, but it seems unlikely that shell rot would be symmetrical. feeding sounds about right...your depth of water is good, but these turts are STRONG swimmers and would do well in twice that amount of water (6-8". do you have a basking light to go w/your basking spot?
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"If we are good only because we fear punishment and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."
-Albert Einstein

One of my turts also has a raised ridge on his carapace that is of a light yellow color. I just assume that it's from normal wear...like trying to squeeze through tight spaces during his explorations of the tank.

My other turt has the symmetrical dark spots that you mentioned. He's had them the first day I got him and they stay on the carapase as he grows. When I touch his carapace, the dark spots don't seem to have a different texture from the rest of the scutes. So I assume they're just part of his carapace coloration. I've seen pictures of shell rot, and the diseased areas are usually white and unhealthy-looking.

2-4 pellets a day sound good. I'm sure as your turtle gets used to its environment it'll start to eat more. Be careful not to give in to its beggings! One of my turtles grew from 1.25" to 2" in 3 months, and I was only feeding them 5 Reptomin baby sticks (mearning 1 cm in length and 2 mm in diameter each) a day. YOu can also try to float a bit of veggies (preferably dark leafy greens; no spinach) in the tank. My turts got used to them quickly and now they would gobble down a leaf twice their size in an hour! You may already know that too much protein is not good for a turtle, so introducing veggies early is the first step towards a balanced diet.

Good luck with your baby.