All Turtles Message Board

Maymie · Level 1 Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

i won a baby yellow bellied slider(now named Turby) at a fair awhile ago, ive been trying my best with what little i have. i finally got it a bigger tank 10gal i figured would be enough room for em because its really little and its filled 50% with water. a relative got me a filter "reptofilter" from tetra. i dont know if i should get something else, it says it filters up to 20gal's. i have the required light where he can bask from sun up to sun down and is off at night. when Turby basks he closes his eyes, rubs his front feet on his face, sticks his feet out and sometimes tucks them in is this normal? also i dont think Turby knows what he wants to do he's constantly in and out of the water trying to bask and find food at the same time. his swimming has been weird from the first time i got him, one side wants to float and the other wants to sink he seems to be breathing heavy too. his color of his shell was dark with bright yellow and green patterns as well as a bright yellow belly this has faded and his belly has begun to turn brown. other than all this concern Turby seems to be active with eating, swimming and basking as well as being aware of his surroundings.

i'm trying to figure out whats normal behavior, whats not and how do i know he's getting what he needs. i never expected to own a turtle but love Turby to pieces, he's adorable and i want to keep him for as long as possible.

i'm also having a bit of trouble with the tank when i first put turby in it there was an immediate fishy smell. after a few days the water changed it is cloudy and there is foamy bubbles on the top of the water. i put a water conditioner tablet in the tank is this what is causing the bubbly foam and cloudyness? Rolling Eyes

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 344

I dont know what to tell you about the water conditioner tablet, But do you have a heater in the tank around 75-80 degrees? also do you have an uvb light? If not i would get them right away... If his belly is continously getting browner i would go to a vet.

When turtles bask they cando varios things and he seems to do alot. turtles sometimes fall asleep while basking and they love to stick ther arms and legs out. Also when he rubs his front feet on his face he most likly had an itch or his eyes where bothering him...

Hope this helps Smile

_________________
Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 986 Location: Florida

Please do keep in mind that your turtle will need a tank bigger than 10 gal. I do believe they can get the size of a dinner plate. Eventually you are looking at having atleast 125 gal tank for your 1 turtle.

Maymie · Level 1 Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

jeez i know they get pretty big but i didnt know i will need THAT big of a tank Surprised

. i have a uvb light but no heater, reason for this is because i live in florida as of now and the house is always between those temperatures. i will get one when i move back north. but if you think i should still get one then i will. i cleaned the tank lastnight and i already see bubbles forming, but the water is clear.

what about Turby's continuous in and out of the water thing like he cant make up his mind? he seems to want to eat all the time as well but i dont want to over feed him.

i still dont get why Turby's one side wants to floats all the time, it worrys me but it doesnt stop him from swimming all over his tank.

i never thought owning a turtle would be so fun. theres never a dull moment with Turby. Very Happy

though i feel like a first time mom Laughing

thanks for all your help <3
(P.S.)
R.I.P. Tara Crying or Very sad

. thats the name of one of my sisters, did you ever find out what happened Rachel16?

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 986 Location: Florida

If your turtle is swimming lopsided you may want to consider taking to the vet to get a check up, it could be a sign of resp infection. I too live in Florida and have noticed that I need a heater, otherwise the water temp will drop to the 60's. Turtles will generally climb in and out of the water they do like to dry off sometimes and they love to bask in the light.

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

They give away turtles as prizes at fairs?!?

I'm glad you're taking care of it, but I bet a lot of people who get these as a prize hardly have them last very long...
That's such an unethical prize to give...

Oh what a cute little turtle... Then when its too big, heck if a quarter of the people who win one going to get anything better then a 5-10 gallon.

Maymie · Level 1 Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

unfortunatly i can't affort to take him to the vet at the moment =( and i know Turby should have at least a 20 gallon long aquarium for his size. he's been doing well so far since i got him Feb. 10th. i will invest in a heater asap but i am having financial difficulties at the moment Crying or Very sad

not only did they have little turtles at the fair but the also had baby iguana's. i remember seeing them in plastic box's when it was in the 30's and no heat. i felt so bad i wanted to take them all home. i was really worried he wouldnt survive, from past experience winning gold fish from that game that never lasted past a week.

i got Turby 4 feeder fish today, it was so funny watching him chase em around. he finally got one and is trying to eat all the others, what a glutton.

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 986 Location: Florida

Definetly invest in a heater and warm up his air and water temp to the mid 80's. Hopefully you can get him to a vet soon.

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 344

I think tara might have excidently have drowned or forgot to get air and fell asleep. When i found her she looked like she fell asleep on the bottom of the tank... Sad

But i have Spunky now, and im very happey with my little guy! Smile

_________________
Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007

Maymie · Level 1 Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

DUDE! Spunky is my fav name and the name my Boyfriend always uses for his names =D isnt that sweet. what kind is spunky? i'ma try to get a pic of Turby soon.

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 200

Remember that you don't *need* an "aquarium." It is perfectly acceptable to use a large Rubbermaid container or other waterproof container to keep your turtle in. IT doesn't care if it's in an expensive beautiful aquarium. It's more attractive for us, of course, which is part of it.

So if you are in a pinch and can't spend a lot, there are some big Rubbermaid containers out there that will do just fine. =)

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

I know, I'm still going to be selfishly human about it though.

Shallow and petty I know, but I do enjoy viewing my turtle.

It would take less long to save up for a 300 gallon stock tank, but in my size apartment it would take up a quarter of the space, and look like an ogre troff.

Plus the money spent on filtering that and heating it would but pretty high in and of itself.

I'd be in the market for a 125 to 150 gallon short, long and wide.

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 986 Location: Florida

Just an fyi, check into a herp vet. It only cost me 30 bucks to get my turtles checked out.

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

Oh really?
I figured because it was an exotic animal it be hard to do an appropriate checkup on it without high cost.
Whats a herp vet though?

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 986 Location: Florida

A vet that specializes in turtles

Kayla · Level 1 Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 15

I had to bring my 2 turtles to the vet a coule of weeks after i got them, and for the visit and medicine it cost me around 80 dollars. It would have been more, but considering they were only the size of quarters she only charged me for one.

Maymie · Level 1 Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

ive also been talking with a breeder about things as well. so far i think i'm doing well but i hope i can bring Truby to the vet soon. taking care of a little turtle is a bit harder than i thought but eventually he's gunna have a tank so big he'll probably get lost. maybe i'll build him a outdoor pond for those summer days =). if i succed with Turby i would definatly love to have another one, maybe a RES do they get along well with a YBS or should i just have two of the same?

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 344

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 986 Location: Florida

As far as them getting along, sometimes you can get lucky and have 2 that live together well, most of the time they end up fighting and have to be seperated

Maymie · Level 1 Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

oh my god i think turby just ate a pebble o_o what do i do?! can he pass it or will it block his intestines =(

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

His and the peebles size could factor in, as well as chance.

I know for a fact that mine passed some because when I can, I hand pick the poo out of the tank to keep things as clean as possible.

You should do like me and rid yourself of your gravel substrate asap.

If your extremely concerned, go to a vet.

Maymie · Level 1 Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

well.. so far he's ok i think. he's still eating pebbles and his other food.

is it normal for them to want to dig under everything and try to hide? he's been digging under the filter all morning, even trying to back his way under it. i guess he needs a hiding place or something he's also acting like he's trying to swim through the glass. what should i do?

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 986 Location: Florida

Thats normal behavior. Do take out the pebbles asap.

Robin_Luver13 · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:

Congrats on getting a turtle (even tho hes not so new now i guess... but congrats anyway!)

Ok, a lot of your questions have already been answered, but here I go anyhow Very Happy

The basking stuff, along with jumping in and out of water, swimming into the sides of the tank, and digging, are all normal behavior. Try and get him a hiding spot, mine loved this old broken flower pot I had in his (until he out grew it Very Happy

)...

Turtles will try and eat gravel, but its not good for them. Stay away from anything smaller than the size of his head, because I doubt you want to worry about the vet bills and/or problems an ingested piece of gravel can bring. I like river rocks, you can buy them at most pet stores in bigggg bags, and they look pretty too. I have tons and rotate them every couple of months.

Turtles are a lot of fun, and there are tons of things you can do to mix things up and keep them happy and active. Feeder fish are great (just picked up a couple more for my Robin at Walmart today Very Happy

), and also let him swim in the bathtub once in a while (not during a bath of course!). Just fill it up, and let him swim! I let mine have a nice go in the tub while I clean his tank, and he doesn't complain! Smile

Another thing is try putting ping-pong balls in the tank, and see if he likes playing (mine isn't too into them, but I've heard of turtles who love it!).

Well, I hope you and Turby have a good, long, fun life together

_________________
I'm back! Hope I can help...

I love my baby, Robin, an Eastern Painted Turtle