I have two small RES. I got them when they were hatchlings and now they are 1 year old. One of them (Timmy) has nearly doubled in size. Interestingly, Timmy was always the least aggressive and always ate the least amount.
My other turtle, Siras has barely grown in a full year. He was always very aggressive and ate a ton. He would eat right out of my fingers and always got fed a lot (if anything, too much) because all of my friends love him. Recently, he stopped eating and sleeps all day. I can poke him and he barely responds. Sometimes he falls asleep in the sun with his head actually laying on the rock or even in the water. No, he isn't dead. He will eat hamburger, that is the only other thing I have tried.
I bought these turtles in China town in NY. Could one of them be a chinese turtle that doesn't live long. Someone told me that but I thought that was an urban legend and the problem really was diet.
Currently I have them in a sunny spot which may be too warm. The water temp gets high during the day but the other turtle seems really happy and continues to bask many hours a day. Prior to this spot I had them in the basement without a proper light. I moved them into the sun because I thought I had neglected Siras from UVB too long. It was while he was in the basement that he started acting unhealthy. Since I moved them into the sun Siras hasn't responded negatively or positively. COuld it be that my assessment was correct but it will take time for him to come around.
Prior to the basement, I had them in the sun where they are now. Both seemed very happy, even though the water temp could get a little warm during the day. Is this a problem?
One other thing: I did notice yesterday that the edges of his shell are getting flimsy. The tiles can wiggle up and down a little. I think they have been like that all along as he is still the size of a hatchling.
Their tank is very large for them. They have over 30 gallons of water. Their diet has only been Tetroreptomin and ocasionally a piece of hamburger (maybe four time in their life). I have never given them any kind of supplements like I have been reading about recently like cuttlebone and stuff. Recently, I have realized that I might need to put more effort into their enviroment but first I want to get this little guy, Siras healthy again. What can anyone tell me.
Dan