All Turtles Message Board

jenniferf · Level 1 Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 5

It appears as though my turtle has some Pyramiding issues.

What do I do about this? When researching, it says that she might have something called rachytism (caused by hypovitaminosis?) which is caused by insufficient amounts of Vitamin D3.

I have her and another turtle (a male) and the male looks fine, his shell is perfectly smooth and hard. So he doesn't seem to be experiencing the same thing, and they are in a tank together.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

fishandcandy · Level 3 Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Indio, CA

Pyramiding may be caused by an insufficient diet or a diet that is too high in protein.
What do you currently feed your turtles?
Does she seem to eat more than your other turtle?
Do you have a UVB light?

jenniferf · Level 1 Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 5

I feed them ReptoMin (and give them a balance between shrimp, krill, and the food sticks), and Rep-Cal Maintenance Formula. I feed them once every three days, and yes, she seems to eat more. I have a UV-B bulb aimed at their basking light, and she basks quite a bit - a lot more than my male. (I realize this is a sign of possibly pregnancy, but I've been watching her closely, and she doesn't seem to be pregnant, so I am pretty - but not completely - sure that's not why she basks so much...)

I also use Tetra Fauna's VitaShell once a week on them both. I thought maybe I should use it every day until this clears up. Is that an option?

This is a closer picture of my female (Mac):

This is the picture of my male (Randy). Does it look like he might be experiencing pyramiding as well?

I don't feed them enough veggies... could that be the problem? What veggies should I feed them and about how much?

Thank you so much for replying!

fishandcandy · Level 3 Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Indio, CA

Your male looks like he has some slight pyramiding as well.
I would suggest that you stop feeding them the shrimp and krill. Use only the food stick and begin feeding them some veggies. Try carrots and red leaf lettuce. Shred the carrots up into worm-like pieces. If they take food from your hand it will be much easier to start them on the veggies. Hold off on the pellets until they start eating veggies. I feed pellets maybe once a week to my 4 yr old. A lettuce leaf or a shredded baby carrot every day or so.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the VitaShell at all. It's not going to help clear this up.
She'll have to shed her scutes a few times before you see any difference.