Hi, I've got myself a hatchling red eared slider that I'm growing concerned with due to its shell condition. When I look at him I can see what I believe to be are abnormalities in the shell. First of all let me answer all the basic questions:
How big is your turtle? 1.4inches
How long have you had it? Eleven days
What is the water temperature? It fluctuates anywhere from 84-80. Recently it's been turned up a bit higher because I believe he was sick (there was a red thing under his eye but it's about 95% gone now).
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? I try to fill it to about three inches, but since I take him out for feeding I use tank water that gets thrown away so I usually try to add more clean water every few days. This happens quickly because the tank is only 20g.
Are you using a water conditioner? I used the Reptoguard turtle health conditioner, although on the back of the wrapping it says it should stay 45-60 days in my tank and it was there for about three.
Are you using any filtration? Yes
What is the basking temperature? I can't remember 100%, all I know is that I can't touch the top of my lamp now without burning my hand.
Is there a basking light? Yes?
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Idk it's the one where you suction cup it to the side and it raises and lowers with the water level.
Is there a UVB light? Yes
What have you been trying to feed it? For a while he really wouldn't eat anything. Right now however I feed him tuna, just so he'll eat something. He has absolutely zero interest in pellets and will rarely eat some (A few days ago I put some pellets and some tuna juice in a container and let them soak it up and he really seemed to like that; it's the only thing I can get him to consistently eat). Every few feeding times I offer some vegetation but there's not much interest there.
When was the last time your turtle ate? Like half an hour ago
How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 20g
Is the tank near a window? Yes?
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Activity? No. Presence? Yes. The tank is in my room where I really don't do anything but lay on my bed (across the room) and play on my computer.
Have you read the Basic Care section? Not this site's one specifically but I've read like 100+ pages on RES.
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? I skimmed lightly but I think shell issues are a bit unique?
Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?
Okay, here's where I get to the actual issue:
I've noticed a few worry points in my turtles shell and I need some help. If you look in the picture of my turtle you can see I've circled some areas.
Area 1 is troublesome and I found out while I was holding him about two days ago. The supracaudals(???) feel really flexible, like I put my finger on it and push (EVER SO SLIGHTLY) and I can feel them start to bend and move, kinda like loose teeth. This is a bit scary because I don't know if he's shedding or if he's not basking enough.
Area 2 This little part looks like it's.. peeling a little bit. But once again, I'm not sure if he's shedding or dying pretty much. I'm not experienced enough to call shell rot, and I really hope thats not what it is.
Area 3 has a small crack going through it, although I'm not sure if it's a crack or if it's a place where two scutes where supposed to become 2 but didn't? He's never been dropped in my care and I don't let anybody hold him with supervision.
Area 4 is just a random small scute??
Area 5 the marginals on the right side of his shell look like they've got a crease in them. I don't know what this means or if it's bad but I decided to point it out anyway.
So those are all the shell issues poor little Raphael seems to be having. If somebody could offer me any answers or just some great advice it would be welcome. This is my first turtle that I've owned and the first aquatic turtle I've been around.
I've uploaded two photos: 1. Raphaels carapace, 2. My tank set up
