General Care Discussion :: Constant Glass Swimming

[Apollo&Scampi]

If your turtle is aimlessly swimming against the glass, s/he could be seeing his reflection in the tank or could possibly be stressed. How big is the tank they're in? What are their shell lengths without the curves?

I thnk he can see his reflection. I have plans to get a backing on the aquarium. I have them in a 55 gal tank. I don't know their measurements. I would say the size of an average human hand.

He's calmed down lately.. since i took him out more... surprising.

[Jet]

My turtle also named Squirt will do that, he cruises the glass all the time front, back sides. Could be he sees his reflection or maybe he is scared a bit. Hard to tell. Stop in a couple of times a day and just talk to them. I do it all the time and now when I go into his room, Squirt will come up and stick his head out while I talk to him. When he figures out I've got nothing for him to eat he blows me off and goes back to swimming!

[Dein211]

My turtle did that for a while, if you have a glass tank that has nothing covering the sides you should get a background for one side of the tank. that makes them feel more secure if it really is becasue she/he is scared

[ceratlc]

I wanted to ask the same question.
I have two Red Eared Sliders, Lucy and Sadie.

Sadie has had a minor issue from a scrape on the underside of her shell, but we went to the vet and that all seems to be fixed up.

However, she keeps trying to swim out of her tub! I have the two of them in a decent sized Rubbermaid tub, and she swims and swims as if trying to escape.

From the reading I've done, I've tried for the past few days to see if she did anything if I gave her a nesting area, though with no luck, and as it is an opaque plastic, I know she isn't seeing a reflection. They have a basking dock, and they have places to hide. I can't seem to figure it out! Any more suggestions than what's already been given here?

[Other notes: I bought them from a family owned pet store in a very small town about 7 months ago, and was told they were about 15. As far as I know, they've never laid eggs, but I'm sure they are both female. Water's at 78F and basking area's about 85, depending on the day.]

[machina]

turtles do not see their reflection in the tank walls; thats not how internal reflection works.

[GeePee]

my turtle is always swims against glass. tank is too small i know. good call on eggs. im going to have to set something up for her and see if she needs to lay eggs. damn. i have another tank i was using to feed her in could i use aquarium gravel for a substrate?????

[marisa]

When I had my painted in a 20-gallon long tank, I could see his reflection at certain angles when I was behind him and he was facing the far side of the tank (lengthwise). He looked like he was swimming to meet the "other" turtle.

[Impulse Shopper]

my turtle is always swims against glass. tank is too small i know.

Yeah, George needs a bigger tank, too. He's been treading water all day. He's doing it toward the window which faces the pool. He's so cute, checking out all the action.