All Turtles Message Board

theclayton · Level 1 Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

I have had my REST for about 4 months now. When I got him, his shell was not much bigger than an inch long. It looks to be about two and half inches right now. He has always had this white discolouring on the top of his shell, and now its on the side of the shell and spreading to the middle. It is hard to describe what it actually looks like. If someone could tell me how to upload pictures to this I will. This turtle lives with the another turtle who does not have the same problem, but is a month younger and smaller. I have UVB light running during the day as if it were outside, and I keep the water temp quite warm. Right now they are in a 10 G tank, but they are not very big, it seems like a bigger tank would be just a waste of space. I was going to get there when they got bigger. I can e-mail pictures of the white spots..if you think you can help, send me an e-mail seanclayton@gmail.com ...thanks.

JEFF4i · Level 1 Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 21

This seems to be one of two things, one bad, one good.

The good is that it might be algea, moss, or some other organic thing growing on his shell. This is good because those plants grow in healthy environments.

The bad is it might be shell rot, which can be treated, but is pretty bad. I'd suggest two things, one is buying some of that ReptiMin VitaShell, and if it just keeps spreading, getting him to a reptile vet.

Hope everything works out.

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

To post pics.
Host your pics at photobucket or site like that. COpy and paste the URL link. Be sure to disable the BBCOde thingy down below.

theclayton · Level 1 Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x90/theclayton/BeachDay053.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x90/theclayton/BeachDay054.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x90/theclayton/BeachDay055.jpg

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

It looks like shell rot... OR damage to the shell caused by the other turtle. I have to say however, you are wrong about the space your turtles are in. It is recomended that the turtles live in 10 gallons of water per inch of the shell. This turtle is already 2.5 inches correct? It really needs to be in about 25 gallons of water. Thats by it self.. if you have two turtles in the same tank... you will need bigger than that. This space is not for vanity purposes they need it to live. Turtles need the space to swim around for exersize, for their digestive tracks to work properly, so they can get all the nurtitian they can (which lack of can cause shell rot) at the same time.. if one turtle is growing faster than the other, more than likely one is a male and one is a female. The female (the bigger one) is going to start picking on the smaller one. Too small of environment will cuase turtles to become aggressive, and start fighting for space and the smallest will lose. You need to put them in a bigger tank. 10 gal is WAY TOO SMALL.

theclayton · Level 1 Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

can someone second this?

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

I am an experienced turtle owner.. I have onwed for many years, and have helped many of people with their turtles. I have done PLENTY research and read many books. I am not trying to make you spend money... I am just telling you that your set up is not appropriate for the size of your turtles and you need to definetly concider for your turtles sake... upgrading the tank.

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

since you don't belive me... i found some stuff for you to read to back myself up...

http://forum.petturtle.com/viewtopic.php?t=1672

http://www.petturtle.com/care.htm

http://www.winrosevet.com/Turtles.htm

http://www.anapsid.org/enclsize.html

theclayton · Level 1 Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

It is not that I don't believe you, I just wanted to know if anyone else could say otherwise, perhaps a vet? or just someone who might have learned something else/new. I would like to save the finances if possible. I am not well off. Sorry if you felt offended.

Linzlou83 · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:38 am Post subject:

A lot of people have various size fish tanks for sale if you check the internet and yard sales. The turtles won't die if they're in 10 gallons for a few months while you find a bigger habitat, but it's just a quality of life issue. They also grow to their environment, so a small tank can stunt growth.

Also, a quick and cheap solution is the big tupperware containers, like the 30 gallon ones. They run $10-15 at Wal-mart and work perfect. Not as nice looking, but they get the job done if you're on a budget. The most expensive part would be getting a big enough filter for it, but if you do frequent water changes, you can get by. Also, try some ZooMed Sulfa Dip for the shell fungus. It's about $6 at any pet store with a turtle section, also available online. Use as directed and it will cure that up in a snap. Good luck!
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MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

lol I was about to tell you the same thing. Thats totally ture. Get a big rubber maid container... make sure it is clean. Be creative I have seen some REALLY cool basking areas made out of stuff they had at home... like wire hangers and baboo sticks. Anyway, Filters for big aquariums can get expensive so you can see if you can find some on ebay. Check local garage sales or ads... my fiance and I recently bought a 75 gal aquarium at a garage sale for 30 bucks!!!! Also, to keep clean up to a minimum... don't put rocks or gravel on the bottom just leave the bottom as is... this way debres wont get caught under the rocks and dirty it up so fast.

Remember just be creative and you can definetly supply for your turtle at a price that works for you.

Captain_Turtle · Level 3 Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 206

Ive noticed white spots on my turtle too, and i think in my case they could be calcium buildup; its wierd since his shell is still pretty hard even after a good layer of that stuff. Does anyone have any insights as to whether or not hose water can cause this? What about not letting sink water sit for 24 hours?
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MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

I have never let sink water sit... infact I my water goes directly from the sink into my tank with my turtle still in it. I have always done this.

theclayton · Level 1 Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

I use sink water aswell. I am pleased to say that I found a 50 Gallon tank for just $40. This should do for a little while. The turtles look so much smaller in this tank. It's pretty bare right now though, any suggestion of what to put in it?

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

When I upgraded to larger thank my tank looked SOOO bare... First I put a background on the tank... like the ones you put on fish tanks... this made it look more "natural" then I put a clay pot in the corner to perch on... and I make a formation of slate rocks in the tank. it looks more natural and my turtle seems to like it. Thats awesome that you got one for 40 bucks!!

theclayton · Level 1 Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

Is it normal for it to take a long time for the water to heat up in a large tank?

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

do you have a heater? is it the correct size for the tank? I make sure to put warm water in the tank when I replace the water that way it doesnt need to heat up... the heater just maintains the temp. Don't put cold or room temp water when refilling this could cause shock for the turtle.

Everglades Ranger · Level 1 Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 15

Thats a good point. Warm water is better to allow the heater to maintain temp. I use well water to avoid chloramines but the other side is that the water comes from 50ft below its a little cool when it gets to the surface. Cool

plasmik · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:44 am Post subject:

I am having a similar problem with my 2 1/2 year old Res where i am finding white small spots around his shell. I was in a similar situation where i couldnt afford to keep my two sliders in a bigger tank than the 10 gallon and felt that they would be okay for awhile in it since they were just babies when i got them but i see that everyone is right that they will outgrow a tank that size, especially if you own two and their shells start developing problems. I will take some pictures of my turtles shell to see if anyone can give me some pointers on what i should do about it. I dont know if i could treat this myself or if i should take it to a vet immediately. I noticed that the Res who is experiencing this problem doesnt bask as much as the other and spends most of his time in the water. I now have them set up in a 60 gallon tank because the second i was financially able to set them up the right way i wanted to be sure i did because i have grown so close to my lil Res and dont want to see either one of them get sick or leave me. Another thing is that some pieces of the shell like the top layer of skin of the shell seems to peel off from time to time, is this okay or normal? I dont feel any soft shell on him but their shells are not very green and are very dark and like i said, one of my Res has some white spots that just recently appeared. Here is a few photos that i took two weeks ago when i first got them the tank, i'll send pictures of the white spots if needed.

skslover · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject:

this happened to me before w/my 3RES and my mapturtle i put a doctor turtle in and every time its gone i put a new one in and the spots went away and they have stayed happy and healthy now i only put one in 1ce a month
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plasmik · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

whats a doctor turtle?
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Storm_Rider · Level 2 Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 99

i think it's called dr. turtle, it's some kind of medicinal sulfa block of some sort. kills harmful stuff in the water and etc etc. it's white, cost a few dollars at most pet shops.

plasmik · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:22 am Post subject:

you mean turtle neutrilizer? is it white and look like a turtle and dissolve in the water?
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Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 366

thats wat it looks like! Razz

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certifiedpet · Level 1 Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Oregon

I have a very similar problem, yet my RES is in a 120 gal tank. I have always had UVB and heat lights, proper water temp and filtration, I try to feed a decent diet (Zoo Med pellets, earth worms, shrimp, crickets, pinkies), and he still seems to have rot. He is only a couple of years old and this white creep has now turned parts of his shell soft and peeling. He went to the vet a while ago and they only suggested more land, but he is on his dock all the time. I am thinking about giving him to a friend with a RES pond this summer but I feel bad and I'm running out of ideas. Any suggestions would be great, thanks.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

You might want to read this article on shell rot:

http://www.turtlecare.net/softill.htm
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Jdude101 · Level 3 Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 191 Location: Georgia

I also have a question about this, one of my turtles just has one white spot in the middle of his shell it is small and reflective, not like the shell rot in pics ive seen. It could just be a scute shedding I guess, ill get back to you on it. But they are each 1 1/2 inches in a 3/4 filled 44 gallon tank with UVA and UVB light, with cuttlebone and vitamin D3 supplement

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:01 am Post subject:

Sometimes air gets caught under the scute and it looks kinda silverish, especially under water, if it starts to feel soft, you should have your turtle looked at.
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Jdude101 · Level 3 Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 191 Location: Georgia

Its hard I took them out to measure them The map doubled in size since sept. its wen from 1 1/2 to almost over 3. Is it natural for them to grow that fast, I can't find any charts or anything that say how fast they grow, but im only asking, cuz my painted has only grown about 3/4 of an inch