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YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:54 pm
by nisho5
Hi All,

Kindly, I would like to hear your advice on the following matter:

YBS, (around 2 months old), I believe im overfeeding it.

It was 8 grams exactly a month ago (3.5 cm / 1.3 inches).
And now it has become 14 grams.
I've noticed there's hardly any gap around its thighs or arms (between the shell), and would like to know if its growth rate is normal.

Also noticed what it seems like to be a spacing between its scutes. Is that normal? is it shedding or really being overfed?

Last but not least, I've noticed some pinkish areas on its underbelly.

It's daily diet consists of:
3 or 4 pellets (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com ... PO9agL.jpg)
2 or 3 Gammarus shrimps.
And some random quantity of Lettuce.

Thanks a lot.

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:55 pm
by soopermum62
My thought is that you are over feeding I would say even though it is a baby, cut back on the shrimp. Check out this link on feeding. http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html My Girls are 15+ years old. It has been a very long time since I have had hatchlings. I am not worried about the coloration of the plastron (under belly) It looks like normal growth coloration to me. Litefoot, Steve, please add on! I am cleaning Lake Scooter and BC! :)

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:29 pm
by litefoot
Younger turtles have a slight pinkish appearance on the plastron as they are growing fast and this normally goes away in time. If that color goes to skin along with red lines then that's will be something , observe well when they are young. Temps are very important for babies with good lighting UVA (heat) and UVB , both on same basking area ! Water temp with a water heater should be 80* and basking area at 90* !

Area around legs are a little fat , modify diet. I only use Omega One food myself , very proven food. The vitakraft is only a general food for any reptile. Also growth lines are wider than normal , watch that fungus may start growing on them. You should back off on the shrimp , use as a treat once or twice a month !

Good read for 2/3's rule that works at any age : http://www.redearslider.com/pellets.html

Random quality of lettuce ??? hopefully "no" iceberg lettuce little to no nutrition. When feeding say red leaf lettuce a piece the size of its shell a day is good.

Other good read on veggies : http://www.redearslider.com/plants.html

Have a unisex name yet Piggley want's to say Hi ! Unisex so it does not have to learn a name change when sex is found out for sure down the road. Nice looking turtle good patterns! Enjoy them now when adult most will be gone and color be more greenish brown.

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:53 pm
by steve
I agree there is a slight overfeeding issue as well. Very minor.... when in doubt, feed less.

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:39 am
by nisho5
Thanks guys.. thanks a lot on the amazing feedback.

Now, I'm gonna try to feed it half the amount i was previously (2 pellets a day and slice of lettuce the same size of its shell and 0 gammarus).

On another note, the other YBS that I have, grew 1 gram in the same period that this one grew 6. I believe that is normal. I'm still feeding that one the same amount that i was previously.

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 5:58 am
by litefoot
You could if wanted use the gammarus as a treat once a month.

Think anyone else in house could have been feeding it too ?

DNA has a lot to do with size ! Keep observing as you doing so you can catch if it gets over weight too before it shows up on the shells . Called pyramiding.

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:41 am
by steve
When there are 2 or more turtles in a tank, there will always be one that aggressively outcompetes the other.

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:44 am
by nisho5
True that.
Its has been 2 days I'm feeding them separately, by removing one of them to another tank until they are done eating.

Re: YBS Scutes spacing and Pinkish underbelly

PostPosted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:02 am
by steve
Yup, I had to do that as well. That was when I started to realize I was in way over my head :)