Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my softshells for a week now they are babies only about 2 inches in diameter. I can not get them to eat. The people I purchased them from recommended baby guppies or dried shrimp but they will not eat anything nor do they seem interested in eating. I am worried about them. We have a 30 gallon tank, a heat bulb as well as the UVB bulb, a filter and a place for them to bask (which they are not doing either)...Any suggestions to get them to eat please?????

Do you have water heater? Where do you live? Right now it is getting pretty cold the farther north you go. If the water temperature is too cold, they won't eat. Do you know the temperature of the water? You should get one of those aquarium thermometer to check the eater temp. IF it's below 72 degree, they won't eat so well.

your probably right, we just put a water heater in there a few days ago and they started eating yesterday. im so glad i was beginning to worry. the water temp was around 70 degrees and now were keeping it around 80 and they seem more active as well. thank you for your advice.

Unless you are planning on hibernating them (which I don't recommend), you will need a water heater, or they can get sick and die when the temperature drops too low. Hibernating water turtles is kindda tricky and a lot of people loose their turtles in the process, especially babies and juvies. So, unless you are familiar with the process, I wouldn't recommend anyone doing it, especially beginners. I don't think it's necessary to hibernate water turtles. Hope this helps!