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Hello, I just got a baby yellow belly slider last night. I set up its tank (30 gallons right now, will provide a bigger one when adult) and placed the heater in while taking care of installing the filter, basking place, lamps, etc. it took around 2 hours for the temperature to be ok for the turtle (78 F (its 80 now, probably because of the lamps). So I could only put the baby in the tank after 2 hours. It was safe in a little secure place with just a bit of water, didnt check the temperature of that one, but it wasnt cold or hot, just a lil bit warm.) I noticed the baby opens its mouth from time to time, as if it was grasping for air, that scared me. It doesn't do it all the time, like when its basking, its not doing it, for hours even, and the little guy seems to be very energetic, eats well and swim like a champ, its when it just finished swimming that he will open his mouth for 1, 2 or 3 times max, then he looks all fine. However I find it strange for him to do that.

Maybe it was a reaction to the chlorine? Maybe just yawning? I don't think I would be concerned unless other symptoms were present.

Thank you for your answer. The water has been treated with a product for reptiles and turtles, so it should be ok. I looked at it for a long time and it wasn't gasping for air anymore, just normal. I was afraid it could be an infection, but I only saw him gasping for air a few times, right after a long swim. He won't do it at all otherwise. I checked him for hours to make sure.

Eventually you'd want to switch to activated carbon rather than keep using a water conditioner. Was he gasping out of water or under?