Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:21 pm Re: White cottony film on my turtles head while brumating un
No he has brumated for several seasons but not with me. I dont have any experience caring for turtles. He came with a bunch of koi I purchased. He ended up being the coolest bonus. We loved him very much. The prior owners had a 8Lx8Wx4D pond with a permanent thick net on top and a very small dock for the turtle. Probably 18 inches long x 8 inches wide. We didn't get the notice that we would be getting the fish officially until a week prior when the sellers finally decided. We picked them up October 21st and put them in a temporary intex pool we prepped a week prior and put a pond bomb in, which is located on my covered patio. They do not get any sun. Which has always been a concern of mine. The prior owners said the turtle very rarely goes on the platform and that in the winter he goes to the bottom and stays there. I looked at him constantly but never knew if he was doing good or not. He looked fine, until he didn't recently. Water temp is 58°. I do water quality tests daily or every other day. Naturally I've been battling ammonia which has never exceeded 2 ppm, which the vet said was not the cause. I've used ammonia binders and done several heavy water changes and followed all advice provided on my koi forum, within reason, combined with the advice from Eric Triplett and my other 2 pond guys. A few days ago I noticed the fur growing. Apparently he was already passed by then as the vet said that fungus grows on them once deceased. We had thought about bringing him in for the winter, or putting him in a 100 gallon hospital tank with a heater, or heating the whole pool. We were told that none of that was necessary and he'd be fine. I should've trusted my gut. I don't know anything about turtles. I'm guessing he got too cold. I'd love to hear all about what I did wrong so I can not make the same mistakes and properly care for my fish and any future turtles. The fish will be staying in this arrangement for several months while we pull together the funds to get this build done. Unfortunately my husband had a series of bad luck and recently (2 days prior to getting the fish) had hand surgery, then while getting the fish he happened to severely strain his hamstring and calf ligaments and was on crutches, then recently in OT tore his meniscus, proceeded to have a horrendous allergy to the cortisone shot, then got sick with covid on Xmas day and has been sleeping since.... We have a 1 and 5 year old. All that to say, we cannot build the pond ourselves so plans had to change with all of that. I'm committed to these animals. I am doing my best but very much a novice who wants to learn as much as possible. I read and listen to Koi keeping and pond building materials daily. As much friendly advice as you or anyone else can share is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
