Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI everyone. I've had a baby snapper about 2 weeks in about 3 inches of water in a ten gallon tank with filter. I dump all the water and clean everything weekly. He (or she) is eating reptomin sticks fine, but I see it's developing a whiteish fuzz on the neck, legs and edge of the shell and I'm wondering if he should have a UVA/UVB light like my slider does. Right now he has an ordinary light which gives off decent heat. He has a hiding place and a rock to come out of the water, though I never see him do that. I'm tempted to find someone's toothbrush and scrub him down.

do you have any filtration? low water quality can be a great way to start fungus on a water turtle. does he have a place to actually come out and bask and dry off completely? he should if he doesnt, mine will come out and bask every once in a while, at least thats when i catch him. he does need uv lighing. feed more than just reptomin. dont feed live because they can introduce disease and parasites. reptomin is a low quality food in my opinion. just get other pelleted food to feed in addition to the reptomin, 3-4 types is good. just switch which one you feed from meal to meal. this ensures variety and a complete diet, as well as keeping them guessing. he could also just be shedding his skin. it is easily confused with fungus. if it is fungus, i had the same problem with my big yellow belly turtles. trisulfa fish medicine wiped it out really well really fast. just follow the directions on the package as if they were fish. just remember that fish meds arent made with reptiles in mind, so using them is at your own risk. if it is too risky to you your only other option would be to take him to a reptile vet.

I do have a small filter but I don't run it constantly because the water flow is a little strong for him. And it's off when he's eating also. I'll get the light and different food and keep an eye on him for now I guess and see what happens. I didn't think of the skin shedding. It's a lot easier to spot on my slider, who loses whole scale layers when shedding.

You might also mix 2 teaspoons of salt in a half gallon of water and letting him soak in that for a few hours and then let him air dry. I would repeat that at least once a day for several days. I would continue with the reptomin plus chopped minnows and earthworms. That's a pretty well balanced diet. Hope he pulls through.

thanks, I'll try that also. He doesn't seem bothered by it, is eating fine and everything. I'm not too worried yet.

It might be where its shedding. Baby snappers will do this pretty frequently during their first year of life.