First, any idea of how he was kept before you adopted? Did the person from whom you got him indicate that he'd been tested for and treated for parasites? If not, and you can get a fresh fecal sample (not likely now if he's not eating but keep it in mind when he does start eating), ask a vet to check for parasites! A heavy load of parasites could be affecting the rest of his behavior!! However, do NOT allow the vet to give or prescribe either Ivermectin or Vitamin A, both of which can be toxic to Chelonians!
>glass tank : 30" (l) x 12" (w) x 16" (h)
A large "under-the-bed" tub (Sterilite or Rubbermaid, for instance) is preferable, the bigger the better. With a long tub you can provide a heat gradient and allow the turtle to thermoregulate to his needs.
>Heating: a heating pad (rated for 10/20 gallons) on 24 hrs placed under the tank.
Heat in nature comes from above and so should yours! Although a basking lamp may heat a basking (flat) rock, the animal can move away as needed. Also, "heat rocks" sold for reptiles can over heat and burn the animal; avoid these too!
>Lighting: one 50w repti basking spot lamp, on 12 hours/day.
Much preferred is a UVB lamp (www.reptileuv.com, the self-ballasted will provide heat too), although in the small tank, may overheat the space; thus, a large, open tub with space to move away. Twelve to fourteen hours is good!
>Water: a 12" x 6" water container with 2" of water, change daily.
An excellent water container is a new paint-roller pan, which allows easy access with the sloped ramp and is usually deeper than 2"---they do like water!
>Temp: 72 deg.
Difficult to believe the temp is on 72 with your undertank heater and your basking lamp... Regardless, with a larger tub, you can provide a temp at one end of 82-82, while the other end can be 72 or ambient room temp.
>substrate: wood chips about 3" deep
Try long-strand sphagnum moss or "bed-a-beast" mixed with play sand. Wood chips may mold with exposure to water.
>Problem:
>...
>We are feeding him with TRex pallets (serve moist), fresh fruit (mainly banana) and yesterday we tried TRex can food.
**Some** commercial food is OK if PART of a varied diet! Reptomin is good. Have you offered some nice, juicy earthworms? Available from your local bait store. Other insects and critters (pillbugs/sowbugs) found in an UNtreated lawn are appealing! Bananas as an occasional treat are OK, but berries, strawberries especially, tomatoes, yellow squash, possibly some of the deep-green romaines, variety, variety!!!!
Chinese boxies can eat either on land or in the water, see if he has a preference but a wiggly earthworm will get his attention!
>He hasn't eaten much if at all for 2 weeks now, and moving less and less.
If he isn't burdened with a heavy parasite load, I'd bet a change in his environment will do WONDERS!!!
Let us know how it goes!
HTH, PAKO
