Also, sorry in advance if my post is too long… I have two (I believe female) res Merlin and Ursula. I have them in a 36l tank, measured to the platform level. I realize this is way too small and am planning for a bigger tank, but I don't have room for a much much larger one
There is a platform where they can bask. Only a heat lamp (40 wats), just put in a thermometer there and it says 29C. I have a heater set on 27C, even though the thermometer in the water shows around 28C. I also have a filter, it's with sponges that I try to clean/wash as much as possible. I don't use a conditioner, can't find any here (you'll notice mineral deposits on their shells, picked up cleaning them with a toothbrush again). I'll be getting a UVB bulb, an exo terra one. I haven't been using one up until now, it's really difficult to find basic care items for reptiles in my country. I've had them for a little more than 5 years and everything has been ok, up until now. I mostly feed them with pellets, 2-3 a day and I used to give them green salad, but rarely and I'm correcting that now. Ursula, the bigger one, is around 10cm and she has no problems eating the vegetables. Merlin, 9cm, never had a taste for it. I also realize that they are too small for their age… maybe worrying about over-feeding them I actually don't feed them enough?! These past few days I've also been using a calcium+D3 supplement, before I could never menage to get them to eat the cuttlefish bone. The problem: Merlin has changed her behavior these past 3 weeks. She's basking all the time and almost seems afraid of the water. When she's in there she swims frantically and I have to put her back in the water to feed her. The good thing is that she's eating, but isn't as active and happy as she was before. There are some changes on her plastron of which I'll post pics. Maybe it's just shedding? It looks weird, but it's not soft and it doesn't smell. Ursula seems a little bit swollen. I read what it could be and I'm terrified for her. The past two days I've only been feeding her green salad and she seems a bit less swollen now.
Took them to a vet today, but since he isn't specializing in reptiles I also decided to post here and see what you guys say. He said that their fine, a little too small though. For Ursula he said that it's just a bit of water retention and that I should keep doing what I'm doing. For Merlin he said that there is nothing wrong with her plastron, but there are deformations on her shell (her shell has been like that since the day I got her, so I guess I never worried). He told me to get that UVB and told me to get A+D3 supplement and add that to their food. But, to recap, he didn't think there were any serious problems… And I'm not so sure
Ursula
MerlinP.S. I hope I uploaded the images correctly.
I haven't noticed any shedding lately, as in parts in the water. But when I checked her the day before yesterday it looked like one of the scutes was coming off. But change isn't noticeable and I've noticed the gaps as well. Still checking the state every day. Her plastron is not soft to the touch. And I'm trying to keep the water as clean as possible. 