General Care Discussion

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:09 pm **White lines on hatchlings**

Hi everyone! I'm new here, this is my first post. I'm a little concerned about the two hatchlings we recently got- they started developing small white lines like in the picture. They're very young- could they just be getting ready to shed? We have a fluval filter, UVA+UVB light and we recently got a heater that keeps the water at 80*. They get 2-3 pellets each daily and some dried shrimp occasionally. Any advice would be helpful! We're new to this and have only been caring for them about 3 months. Thank you in advance!

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:25 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

It's hard to tell from that picture, is the shell dry in that picture?

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:42 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

Yes, the shell is dry. You can see the lines best when they're basking- the lines kind of blend in with the rest of the shell underwater

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:54 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

We figured they might just be basking too long while we're at work and drying out so we got them some Tetra VitaShell cream... hopefully that helps

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 6:27 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

You should return the cream. It's more harmful than helpful. They might be growth lines, but it's odd that the coloration is restricted to only part of the intra-scute lines.

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 2:02 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

Oh ok good to know about the cream... I can try to get a better picture when I get home but it's difficult because every time I walk up to the tank, they jump in the water and I can't hardly see the lines anymore.

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 2:20 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

To be honest, I really think they're normal growth lines that just "dried out" faster than the other areas on its shell--especially if they disappear so quickly underwater. But yes, if you manage to get a clearer picture that would help!

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:00 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

Here is a better picture

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:35 am **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

It almost looks like it's on top of the scute. Is it correct or does it just look like that?

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:04 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

No it just looks like that. They're like part of the shell itself, not raised up or anything

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 11:08 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

They might be a little delicate for dry-docking...For now, I would wait and see if the odd color spreads. Have you tried touching or gently brushing the areas?

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 4:30 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

No I haven't tried that, I didn't want to hurt them or anything but I can go ahead and give that a shot. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't dry rot or anything urgent that needed to be seen by a vet. But I'll let you know what the spot is like when brushed

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 4:31 pm **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

Oops meant shell rot*

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 4:41 am **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

Does it have a different feel or texture to it?

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 7:53 am **Re: White lines on hatchlings**

Hi, my RES (when it was a hatchling) had the same problem. I was really worried about it and it gradually got worse. I didn't know HOW to treat it. It eventually led to shell rot and now I'm having to deal with that. I don't know if it always leads to shell rot though.. I hope the best for your little guy

General Care Discussion :: White lines on hatchlings

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