Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a baby RES, he has been doing very well up until this point.
I have him in a 10 gallon tank (looking to get a 20 long soon) with fluval filter, UVA/UVB light, heat lamp, temp in tank is around 79 degrees, and a good basking rock. He is a very good eater, I give him pellets and a wet food called Turtle Yummies (I offer feeder fish but he wants nothing to do with them). He swims and basks well. He has looked like he is about to go through a shed for a few months now, but nothing has happened. Recently when I was holding him I noticed his shell was soft and flexible. I had been putting a turtle vitamin conditioner on him called Vita-Shell once a week for a few weeks hoping it would help his shedding stage and keep his shell healthy. The bottom of his shell is even soft in the middle, I am very concerned and not sure what I am doing wrong or what I can do to help him. He is a wonderful little turtle and seems healthy in every other way.

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Hi,

It is normal for hatchlings shells to be a little soft
on the underside as well as back by the tail. If you
indeed have the uvb souce and are feeding it Reptomin
there is little chance that he has soft shell disease.
These areas of the shell will harden up as the little
guy gets older.

I would not worry at this point but just keep an eye
of him. Attached is a picture of my 8 year old that had
the same thing when she was a hatchling. Never been sick
in her life and she now 3 lbs!

Hope this helps.
Linda