All Turtles Message Board

alliefort · Guest Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 2

I just read not to feed your red ears tubifex worms. I have already fed them these! Why can\'t you? Did I harm my turtles?

P.S. I have only fed them tubifex worms once. This evening. There are also feeder fish in their tank.

shelngav · Level 3 Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 394

I am not sure why on the tubifex worms, but I wouldnt over do the feeder fish either. They need a balance of veggies and meat. More veggies than meat actually. They shouldnt get too much protein. Try floating some romaine lettuce. I also feed Reptomin pellets. Eventually they will eat only veggies. As babies they can eat mostly the pellets. I try to mix it up though, as they can become picky and eat only one thing. Avoid spinach, bananas, broccoli and iceberg lettuce. The first three deplete, I think vitamin A and the last one has NO nutritional value. I mostly fee the pellets and float veggies. Then occasionally I give fish, shrimp, crickets and you can give earthworms (not in maneuer, like bait shops have). Hope this helps. I am sure if you did it once it didnt hurt, but i dont know the reason not to. I have heard, but dont remember.

mariza · Level 4 Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Posts: 1339

I\'ve read tubifex worms often contain bacteria. They are also not very nutritious. I once cared for a turtle that had been feed them exclusively. It was awfully hard to change his feeding habits. Other foods would be much better for your turtle.
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