Page 1 of 1

Is this normal?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 6:35 pm
by Jshhmns
OK so I have 3 baby Cumberland sliders. Thor, Loki, and Squirt. I'm a bit worried about loki, I belive he is around 3 months old, and about a inch and a half long. He has been basking a lot more than the other 2 turtles and is slightly less active then they are. He is eating. He does sleep in the water, so he's not constantly basking. He behavior seems off from the other two. The other two swim a lot more than they bask, and loki is the opposite, and bask more than anything. He does eat, and I haven't noticed any obvious signs of a RI besides him being slightly less active and basking more than usual, but I think he may be sick. My setup is as follows.

Atm I'm using a 20 gal tank for them. I have a larger tank to put them in as they grow, but this one is easier to change the water on a daily basis.
They have plenty of basking room as well as plenty of water to swim in.
Water temp is about 78 degrees. Basking temp is about 83.
I do have a water heater but notice the temp gets down to mid 70s when I leave my ac running all night.
Using a 60 watt regular bulb as a heating lamp. Using a exo Terra 13watt tropical reptile uvb 100 bulb for uvb uva.
Feeding them blood worms, small fish, and reptomin baby pellets.
Also using reptisafe water conditioner each time I change the water daily.

I guess I'm concerned loki is sick because he spends more time basking then swimming, and the other two are opposite. I also have a 6 inch res in separate tank who's doing great, just don't have experience with baby's. If anyone who has experience and knowledge could chime in I'd appreciate it.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:01 pm
by Jshhmns
Also, to add loki has been scratching/itching his face more than the others, but I don't think his eyes are swollen.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:38 pm
by steve
Hard to say if he's sick... they can have very different personalities and reactions. Does he beg for food?

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 10:18 pm
by Jshhmns
If he's in the water sometimes he'll swim right up to the glass and stare at me. Other times he sees me and just continues on about his business floating or whatever he's doing.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:23 pm
by steve
Would you say his routine is consistent?

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:34 pm
by Jshhmns
I've only had him for about 2 weeks. Since I've gotten him hes been acting this way. I moved the tank to a new location that's more active in the house. As we speak I'm changing the water and moving it back to the less active spot I originally had them at. But yes, since ive had him he's been pretty much the oddball basking more than the others.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 12:51 am
by steve
I'd switch to having some carbon media instead of reptisafe, and treat it prior to putting it into the tank. It shouldn't be necessary to do a water change everyday.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:16 pm
by Jshhmns
I don't have a filter for the smaller tank atm so I'm changing the water daily. Never heard of carbon media. How long does it take to show symptoms of an ri? The other turtles would be showing signs of it if it's contagious and they've been together for the 2 weeks I've had them right?

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:50 pm
by steve
Diagnosing RI or any illness can be tricky as they are good at hiding symptoms. As long as he has a healthy appetite and can swim normally, he should be fine.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 10:05 pm
by Jshhmns
Update: He spent all day basking. From time I woke up to time to now, over 12 hours. I put him in the water because he looked so dried out. He'll swim a little bit, but mostly floats. I think his eye may be irritated because when I woke him up it seemed like he was having a hard time opening it and keeps scratching at it. Really worried about this little guy. The other two are same size and age and behave nothing like him.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 3:14 am
by steve
I'd stop with the UVB for a bit. Is he still eating and are you sure of it?

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:20 am
by Jshhmns
Yes he is still eating. I tried feeding the 3 together and he wouldn't dive to get the blood worms, and just left the pellets alone. So I put him in a separate feeding container with a small fish I disabled. He ate everything but the head.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 7:52 pm
by Jshhmns
And Steve, I notice you answer all post. I just wanted to say thank you for being awesome and helping others.

Re: Is this normal?

PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 10:03 am
by steve
You might have to stick with the fish routine for awhile until he puts on more weight. Thank you for your comments.