Hello. My Name is Jamie and I have two Male RES. Scratch and Sniff. They were Born to two different turtles but at the same time. From what I was told. One is 5in long- by 5 1/2 inches wide. And the smaller one is 4 1/2 inches long and 4 1/2 wide. I got them about 2 years ago. I have kept them in the same tank Since bringing them home. First in a 10 gal....Then to a 20 gal. Then to a 35 Gal. And now in a 50 gal. They always played along together and never had any issues. Last year they started displaying their mating dance. Waving their hands in each others faces. It was then I realized I had 2 males for sure. But seemed to be fun for them. No aggression last year. This year- they are in each others faces so bad that they weren't basking nearly enough. And just trying to get on each others backs in the water. And showing off their "parts" I am aware that Turds can drown other turds...so I have been keeping a Great eye on them. One morning I woke up and my smaller turtle (which oddly enough , seems to be the more dominate one) was just sitting at the bottom of his tank. Not just for one day- for days. Not eating- not basking , not active at all. Not like were used to seeing. With tears In my eyes, I called all the local vets with no hope of finding one close to see them. They told me It sounded like he had a respiratory infection over the phone- but he had NO Symptoms of one. (puffy eyes, breathing issues, etc) So we kinda ruled that out. The only thing common, from what I have read before getting the turds. Was the Sleeping all the time(at the bottom of the tank) and Non active and not eating. The next best thing I could think of to do was go to the local pet store which sells these turtles and Observe them and see how they are doing and ask questions. Sadly they didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. But they think its aggression, and told me it is mating season. And they see it all the time. And sadly that one can kill the other.
So I rushed out and got another tank, filter, bulbs, and heat source. ETC. And separated them that day. BUT, ever since I have separated them , they have gotten even weirder in behavior.
The larger Turtle "Sniff' - keeps going back and forth across his tank erratically. Not basking. And not eating, nearly as much if any at all. But its back and forth , back and forth along the farther side of the tank. He will get on his Sturdy basking rock- but only to get right back off right away.
The Smaller Turtle, Scratch. Is exactly opposite. He just sits in the water, feet on the ground and head out. In the same spot. Not eating (that I have seen) or basking. Kinda just looks depressed.
When I first separated them. The little turtle seemed Much happier. For the first few hours. he was now moving around- checking out his new tank. I thought I found his problem.
Both of them have healthy shells. not rotting. No Mouth rot. No abnormal breathing or abnormal bubbles. Eyes are clear and look normal. They eat Turt Sticks, Krill , and Fresh fish. Rosies. And I always have fresh red lettuce. For them to eat and hide under And about 1 or 2 times a Month I put a Calcium powder on their foods. They haven't touched the sticks, or the krill , and the fish are all there as well. The lettuce has little chews on it but not a lot. I have 2 100 watt UVB lamps. 2 Basking lights. 2 basking rocks (Home made from fresh off the tree wood, and bought ones from Zoo med. 2 filters, No rocks or sand at the bottom of the tank. I have 2 heaters and keep the inside of the tank between 76-78. The basking area is reading 90. The doubles I say because I have 2 tanks now for them.
So after I been noticing the behavior. I put the little Scratch back in with Sniff. And right away he became active again. Like a brand new turtle. But they wouldn't quit doing the mating dance. And started snipping at one another. And I just couldn't take the risk or one or both of them getting hurt. But they look so lost with out each other. And its sad to see.
I know I really should Take them to a vet here soon. They honestly don't seem sick, as in Ill. But possible lonely???
Does anyone have any experience with this kind of behavior? I would love to hear other experiences with this... if you could take the time to comment. I am On and off the computer all day- so If there is any other info you might need to know I will gladly answer.
Oh- and wanted to add. Both turtles have a slit towards the end of their tails. Both I have seen BIG black budges that come from said slits.. Both have really long front claws. There is some Bumping on the shells, from possible over feeding. But that was corrected right away. So the bumps are actually smaller in size now. Barely bumpy at all.
Is it possible that they go into depression? Or can miss their other turtle? I could use some advice here. I hate not knowing.
Do you think it could hurt to let them swim together for an hour a day? or too risky? Should I just keep keeping them separated? Right now I have them across the room from one another? Maybe I could build something to keep the tanks closer together? I am willing to try anything here. I miss my happy turds. Thank you so Much for reading this. I know its long...but I wanted to make sure to put a lot of detail into this. And a lot of heart. i love them so very much.
