Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello…

I have a tall 30 gal set up, with african cichlids, one of my turtles (both aprox 4" is looking very sluggish and not as active as the other. He still eats but prefers to stay on the bottom. The currently dont have a basking area because anytime Ive made one they refuse to use it. I have had the turtles for about a year and this is my first problem with either one.

The water is fresh water with gravel and sand mixture on the bottom. could they all of a sudden started to eat the sand? Ive had gravel in there in the past and it wasnt a problem. So whats up?

Thanks for the help
Concerned in NY

I know nothing about cichlids, but your turtles absolutely need a proper basking area with correct lighting (UVB and heat)--they may bask when you`re not around, which is often the case. Sand and gravel are not good--if they`re eating gravel, there is a chance they could become impacted, which will require a vet.

Thanks for the reply, I already have a 25 watt UVB bulb in an 18 inch fixture. Just curious, in the "wild" what is on the bottom of these lakes and rivers they reside in? Is there anyway way to recreate the same bottom?

Also how would I know if I needed a vet? are there any signs I should be looking for?

and the cihlids are pretty cool, aggressive enough to live with the turtles and not be food, but not so aggressive to attack the turtles. Very cool stuff… all kinds of stuff all over the web… mine are mbuna.

You need to see a vet if you suspect illness.

You must have a basking area where the temp reaches 85 degrees.
It would be much easier to clean and more for your turtles
if you do not use anything on the bottom of the tank.

Please make the necessary adjustments immediately!

Hope this helps

If I were you, I`d forget trying to recreate the wild, although it`s nice that you`re trying to duplicate it for them. Difficult, if not impossible, do it in a 30-gallon tank. I`d go for what would keep the water clean (and therefore help keep them healthy) and what is easy to maintain. That means no sand or tiny gravel; smooth river rocks bigger than their heads are better so they can`t eat them but still have something to push around and forage in (you don`t have to use a lot). Get them some cuttlebone (the stuff for birds), take off the hard backing, break it into pieces and let some float in the tank for them to munch on when they want. I`ve read eating gravel/small¡¡pebbles is a sign a turtle wants calcium, and cuttlebone is a good way for them to get it.

Check your water and basking area (the one you will get really soon, I hope) air temps.--water temp. around 78-80 degrees F (too cold and your turtle will become inactive and susceptible to respiratory infections) and basking area temp. 85-90 degrees F. with a UVB light and heat lamp (or combo mercury vapor UVA/UVB lamp).

The fact that you`ve noticed your turtle has become inactive indicates that something is wrong, and even though you haven`t had any problems before, they can take some time to develop before there`s trouble. It would be better to correct their environment ASAP to nip it in the bud.

thanks for all the help.

The water temp currently fluxuates between 77 to about 82. They now have a basking area and I have my 18" 25 watt UVB buld justified over the basking area. How will I know it its warm enough there? does that sound like enough light, ie, heat?

thanks…

If you only have a 25 watt tube light for UVB you will also
need another light for heat. You can use a regular old
household bulb. Start with a lower wattage like a 60 watt
and then check the area with a thermometer. Never guess
if it is OK. If your basking area is about 85 degrees that
is perfect. Adjust the size bulb for too cold or too hot.

I would also lower your water temp just a little. About
72-76 degrees is what mine prefer and this encourages them
to bask. They can truly thermoregulate with this set-up.

Let us know how it goes

Linda

Cool, thanks. This may sound silly, but how close to the basking area be from the "heat" bulb? wouldnt wanna hurt their peepers.

This can vary somewhat as the regular household bulb does
not have UVB which can be damaging to their eyes if too close.

I would try about 10-12 inches and check the temps. The real
caution here is not to put it so close that the turts can
touch it as severe burns will happen. Just make sure you
check the basking area with a thermometer. Once you get
it all set-up you should not have to check the temp again
until winter time when you may need a little larger bulb.

Linda
Proud owner of
2 Painted turtles
2 RES
1 Redfoot tortoise
1 Iguana