Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As a cable guy, I often get weird tips, but this one takes the cake. I was installing cable for a bunch of Russian bachelors. Ihere were half empty tanks filled with fish and reptiles all over the house.

The Russians kept trying to give me beer and cigarettes and then asked if I liked fish. I mentioned that I do indeed have a nice freshwater aquarium. He asks if I want a turtle. Now, I know I don't need a turtle. I know nothing about them. The fellow tells me that he had all these exhibits set up for his girlfriend's kids, whom had just left him. he said he was tired of the animals and didn't want to deal with them anymore.

I look at the turtle cage. It's a little baby red-eared slider sitting on a plastic waterfall (not currently on) and some seashells. And a huge amount of floating turtle poop. I asked the guy if he had a filter and he told me that as long as you keep the waterfall circulating, it will keep the water clean and you only need to change it every six months or so. I am no expert, but this seems suspect to me, I have to change the water in my tank every week.

So I lost my resolve and took pity on the poor bugger, his 10 gallon tank, and some cheap looking "turtle bites". The tank banged around in the back of my truck for a few hours before I got home. I filled and emptied it three times, bleached the hell out of it, and then added a bunch of conditioner. there is STILL some poop in there, but he can't be any worse off than before.

So now I don't know what to do? Should i take care of little Donatello? Or should I let him go (I believe he was caught locally)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

(EDIT) I just looked at him in his darkened room. he seems to be gasping or at least inflating his throat sac a lot. Is this as bad a sign as I am afraid it is?

The Dregs [bleep]ed around with this message at Mar 03, 2008 around 01:07

Thank goodness you took him in-even if the poor thing is beyond help, at least he won't die in a dirty tank full of poop!

As you know red eared sliders are aquatic and should have warm water and a haul out basking area under lights. They eat in water and so the tank needs a filter. I don't know how big this turtle is but a tank with enough room for him to swim around, plus a small haul out area should hold him--15-20 gallons? The haul out could be something as simple as floating cork board. Get a good book or go online and find a care sheet. Red-eared sliders are common pets as they have an active personality and will eat well once they are warm and in clean water.

The heavy breathing could be bad, or it may just mean he is happy he can't smell the stinkers he was living with. If you are concerned then PLEASE take him to a vet. Turtles can be saved with a short antibiotic treatment and live long lives with decent care.

Thanks for helping this creature in need! Good luck, Tess

Good info in the post above. Be aware that the slider will get to be a pretty big turtle and eventually need a large tank or pond as an adult; if you're not willing to put in that kind of investment, then think about finding someone else to take it in. Please DO NOT release it into the wild; it is illegal in most places, and for good reason. Released pets can carry deadly pathogens into the wild.