All Turtles Message Board

beautifulstrangr87 · Level 1 Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 21

I had two turtles, one of them recently passed away( it was a baby, and I had no idea it was illegal until after I bought it). The other is a 5-6 inch male. They lived in separate tanks, but right next to each other. After the little one passed away the big one stopped eating and rarely will get onto his basking area anymore. I think he is depressed. Should I get him a tank mate ( I'm a college student and don't have the money to go out and buy another large tank). I know that most people advise against that, but I would put the baby in with him, under constant supervision, and he liked it the baby would swim around and the big one would just watch it. How big of a tank should you have in order to have two turtles together. I just don't want him to stop eating again, as I have gotten him to eat.

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

Its sad to hear that. But, I hear turtles are better alone. I am curious as to how there would be constant supervision while in college? I got lucky, so far with my turtles. The bigger one pretty much leaves the lil guy alone, unless someone is by the tank they both seem to starve for attention! Laughing

Thats when the big guy pushes the lil one around.

Nevfalath · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:24 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about him being lonely. Turtles are loners. They don't need companionship. Perhaps you could try a few feeder fish to give him something else to watch, or perhaps even something to do.

Good luck with your turtle. If he doesn't go back to his regular behavior within a week though, I would call a vet and ask him about it. He may be able to give you a few pointers.

Oh, by the way, don't beat yourself up over buying an "illegal" turtle. We all know it's wrong, but we have all done it once or twice. Embarassed

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-= Shannon =-

beautifulstrangr87 · Level 1 Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 21

I am in college, but I go home on the weekends, and thats where my turtles are, so they were under constant supervision. Ok I will see about getting him some feeder fish, I tried toys in his tank, but he didn't pay any attention to them. Since I am going to be going home this afternoon for summer break and will be getting a job, I might still get another, or a bigger setup. At some point I think I'd like to try to breed, but that won't be untill I'm fully out of college, and can care for the babies. Thanks for your guys input though, it gives me alot to think on.

dixieee · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

i'm so sorry for ur loss. he might be under minor depression for losing his tankmate but i understand when u say u think he's lonely. i saw that sad look in my turtle's eyes and he didn't seem to be enjoying anything (he lost his tank mate too) but i don't know if it's normal for turtles to be lonely cz mine was sick and passed away. one interesting thing though, a couple of days b4 he passed away i saw him hanging on a small rubber duckie that i kept in his tank which he didn't pay any attention to it before. it reminded me of my turtle that passed away a year and a half back, he was umm "closer" to a turtle figure in the tank a few days before he passed away.

i know this is too long..sorry..but in short, i don't think he'll be lonely. few fishies will make him move around. good luck Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u