Hey guys,
So we have had our two RES for a couple weeks now and I thought they were getting all settled in. They both appear to be female and one is about 4 1/2" (blueberry) and the other 6" (strawberry) in shell length. They have been using their basking area religiously and the water temp stays about 76-78. The basking area is probably still on the cooler side of what is recommended, but we are working on that. I do know almost certainly that it is not too hot. Anyway, all seems to be going well for the most part. The last few days I have noticed a behavior change in strawberry though. She is spooked a lot easier and will dart in the water for nearly nothing. Blueberry stays in the basking area when this happens and just looks around. They are both eating well. Strawberry is also not attempting to come out of the water to bask as much. When I sit down by the tank to observe them Strawberry will usually go into the water even if it is calmly. I am also noticing that while she is in the water she is swimming around almost frantically and trying to claw and swim right through the glass. For a couple of days this seemed a little subtle and it took me a few days to notice that her behavior has changed quite a bit really. Now, I have read up a bit on them and rechecked what I thought were signs that a female is trying to nest and it appears that this is may very well be the issue with strawberry. I did attempt to feel for eggs gently and I think that I felt at least one in there, but I am uncertain and don't want to just keep handling her without a good cause. My main concern is that I do not have an area for her to nest in if she does have a clutch of eggs in there and was looking for some tips. I know that the eggs aren't fertilized, but I had also read that it is important for them to lay the eggs regardless hence my concern. Any and all tips would be appreciated and thanks in advance for the advice.
Phil
