Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First, my res is acting strange. It's a baby, less than 3". Previously he was pretty active and ate a LOT of food. Now, he sleeps pretty often and I'm not sure he's touching the food I'm making him. I bought some feeder fish for him and he hasn't touched those either which is weird compared to the time that I bought 20 and the next morning they were all gone.

He is still taking peices of meat from my fingers though.

I have him inside and I have his light on 12 hours a day and the water is room temp. I'm going to replace the bulb soon b/c it's getting on in age. Not sure if it's making those uvbs. I'm also getting an aquarium heater for him. I am taking him outside sometimes to bask in the real sun.

His diet is the same as it's always been, he looks healthy, his shell is all good. What could be the problem?

Also, do turtles need annual check ups? I mean, is it recommended? What should a vet visit cost about?

Thanks guys, we REALLY appreciate it.

You mentioned light. Do you have a heat light/basking area
in addition to the UVB source?

Also I would not allow him to eat that much in a day.

Linda

if you live in an area where it is getting colder she might be trying to hibernate? the basking question is relevent also... improper lighting and heat can affect thier appetite.. have you tried adding a heater, maybe kick the temp up to 78-80? that might help.. somtimes its something really simple that will fix it... what size tank and how long has she been in there?
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my pets: clown treefrogs, reed frogs, big eyed treefrogs, tiger leg monkey frogs, gray treefrogs, milk frogs, cuban treefrogs, whites tree frog, green treefrogs, squirrel treefrogs, blue webbed gliding treefrog, chameleon treefrogs?, dusky salamanders, tiger salamander, veiled chameleon, box turtles, mud turtle, map turtle, yellowbelly slider, florida softshell, two saltwater tanks, four cats, two chinchillas, and a boyfriend.

err.. he that is
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my pets: clown treefrogs, reed frogs, big eyed treefrogs, tiger leg monkey frogs, gray treefrogs, milk frogs, cuban treefrogs, whites tree frog, green treefrogs, squirrel treefrogs, blue webbed gliding treefrog, chameleon treefrogs?, dusky salamanders, tiger salamander, veiled chameleon, box turtles, mud turtle, map turtle, yellowbelly slider, florida softshell, two saltwater tanks, four cats, two chinchillas, and a boyfriend.

I really have no idea at this point of the sex so you might be right.

Anywho, right now I have a full spectrum bulb with unknown levels b/c it was given to me without the carton. It does give off heat.

I had no idea he was going to eat all of them! I haven't ever put that many in at one time again.

Also, do turtles need annual check ups? I mean, is it recommended? What should a vet visit cost about?

IMO they do. I have mine parasite checked at least once a year if not twice. The cost though, it all depends on local markets and the individual vet. Not all vets treat turtles or other reptiles but they all do set their own prices so you just have to shop around.
IMO if your set up & temps are correct but your turtle is listless, then that is a reason to see a vet.
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PHRatz

have you ever had them get parasites since tyhe last test when you hadnt added new turtles? if so, were you feeding live? if they have gotten parasites what kind were they? i just want to know these for my own information.

>>have you ever had them get parasites since tyhe last test when you hadnt added new turtles? if so, were you feeding live? if they have gotten parasites what kind were they?

I do feed live and in 11 years my painted has never had parasites but my 9 year old yellow mud did one time back in 1997. They were Strongyloides which are blood sucking parasites. Two doses of meds and that was the end of them & he's never tested positive since then.
My tortoise lives outside and grazes the lawn there's no telling what she can pick up there because there is no way to keep wild animals out of her environment. She's tested positive once to an ameba parasite, got her treated too. It's been two years for her, she's clear every time. None of my box turtles have ever tested positive for parasites & they eat even more live foods than the aquatics do.
I don't worry much about it but I do make sure they're tested on a regular basis.
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PHRatz

A check up sounds like a very good idea right now... The poor baby's listless. And his feeders are still there. AND he's not touching his dish.