General Care Discussion :: One growing - One not?

[CApears4u2]

Hi all,
I'm new and still learning about my baby RES I acquired from our neighbors who brought them up from So.Cal in tiny little containers. They think they're cute and have NO clue as to the care involved. I didn't either but I bought 2 books, a bunch of supplies and have joined this group.

My neighbors would still have their little guy in the tiny plastic box if i didn't give them a larger tank to use.

Anyway, they were both about 1" when I received them about 2 months ago and now only one of them is growing, and fast. He (she) is twice the size as the other and more active.

The smaller turtle basks ALL the time and after spending lots of time observing their behavior I noticed he/she does not like to dive either. He'll/she'll swim around but not as much as the other. He/she eats well but I still think something's wrong.

Why would one turtle grow and the other not??

P4U2

[sonyj]

First off, you need to make sure that the larger one isn't hogging all the food at feeding time. It would probably be best to feed the separately by removing one from the tank during feeding (and then the other).

Growing fast is not a good thing as it is very taxing on the internal organs as well as the shell. Slow and steady growth is what we strive for as owners so you need to be just as concerned with why the one is growing too fast as with the one not growing.

Genetics and environment has a lot to do with growth as well, so try to be sure feeding time is fair and that the larger one isn't bullying the smaller one. After observing them and feeding them equal amounts see if that helps any.

[KellyP]

I would assume that if one is growing really fast and the other isn't, that the larger one is hogging all the food and the little one isn't getting any. Try feeding them seperately for a little while, that may help.

[CApears4u2]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will continue observing the behaviors of the two and will make dang sure the smaller one is eating.

Their basic diet is the standard turtle sticks broken up into smaller pieces and mixed with krill and dried shrimp.

Today I bought some "canned" crickets and calcium powder. The smaller guy loves the crickets - after I cut them up into smaller pieces (yuk) and I did powder some of them before I put them into the tank. The little guy goes after them like crazy as he stays on his basking block. The biggger guy jumps off into the water as soon as he sees me. He's a little more shy.

It seems my little guy likes to see me coming, doesn't jump into the water and follows me with his eyes. SO dang cute!!

So as long as I can feed my little one on his basking block he'll get plenty of food. My big guy doesn't like to be in sight when I'm around and stays in the water.

Will continue with this process in hopes for improvement.

Thanks again.

Nite, nite,

P4U2

[reptilegrrl]

Crickets are actually a very poor diet- they are high in phosphorus and low in calcium. A canned cricket is even worse. The care sheets on this site have good information on a proper diet. Please don't make crickets more than a treat. Same with krill and shrimp.

While I don't think your larger turtle is necessarily growing too fast, I think that their growth is something you should keep an eye on. The larger one could be hogging all the food, or the smaller one could have parasitic worms.

The fact that your smaller turtle is basking a lot could indicate bullying- he may be afraid to spend much time in the water. it coudl also indicate a problem with temperature.

[CApears4u2]

Boy have I got a lot of reading to do.

OH-kay. Thanks for the important info. I will adjust their diet. I'm trying to get'em to eat more veggies and with that will take Sonyj's advice from another topic. You all have GREAT suggestions. Oh, what about worms? Like the earthworm variety? Haven't given'em any yet but read somewhere (not here) that it's good protein for the young'uns. MAY be the same place that said crickets are good too.

I DO plan to read more on the care info, I promise.

Other than that, ever since I've had my guys, I've never observed any bullying. In fact they do bask together quite well, except when I walk into the room the big-guy immediately jumps in the water to hide. Then after I watch'em for a while I guess he realizes I'm okay (and actually might feed him!) so he'll swim around and 'greet' me... sorta. During the last week I've watched them so much my husband just rolls his eyes. Finally got my kids to accept that "No, you can NOT take them out." Period.

During the day the tank temp is about bet 75-80 deg. Right now we're having California temps in the 90's, my house stays about 80 deg. and cools down a bit at night from opening our windows. We rarely use our AC.


CP4U

[CApears4u2]

Me AGAIN!

Great. Just in the last 20 minutes I noticed little guy swimming slightly lopsided. I realize that may indicate a respiratory infection. AND probably the reason for all my other concerns about him. Sighhhhhh.

Okay, kids still asleep from late 4th celebrations and now I'll get some serious reading done.

Thanks again all.

P4U2

[reptilegrrl]

Earthworms are actually VERY good for them to eat. They are high in protein and calcium.

A respiratory infection could have been low-grade for a long time, and that indeed could have inhibited his growth. Please get him to a vet soon!

[CApears4u2]

Hi All,

Well, I decided to make a vet appointment for "Little Guy". His shell is way too soft, he hasn't grown AT ALL and seems just a bit weaker but he's still eating whatever I can give him so that's a good sign I guess but my gut feeling is that there's something definetely wrong.

Unfortuntely my husband thinks it's "Utterly rediculous to spend $65 at the vet for a $5 turtle, bla, bla, bla..." But right now (especially after all the research, time etc I've spent just learning about the little guys) I feel like saying F___you.

Sorry, I'm not in the best mood tonight.

ANYway, LittleGuy has the best personality of the two and is totally not afraid when I come in and take the top off the tank. He looks at me and follows me with his eyes. Maybe because he's sick but whatever, I'm takin' him in. He's SO dang little!!

Haven't made the apointment yet but i'm calling first thing in the mornign. I WILL post as soon as I have more info.

This is buggin me big time. Probably 'cause of DH attitude. I'm a rebel by nature!

Geeze Loueeze - too much information I know.

Nite-nite.

P4U2

[reptilegrrl]

I am so glad you are taking him to the vet! In my opinion, every turtle is priceless. Keep us posted!

[sonyj]

I'm glad you are taking him. I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

I'm with you on the whole husband thing. I've had to fight tooth and nail to get Koopa into a proper setup from the start. If left up to my husband, he'd still be in the little container we brought him home in probably. It's been a year and he's just now coming around to enjoying Koopa as a pet. But he reverts when it's tank cleaning time, Koopa becomes my pet again then!! I'm not saying to start a war with your husband, but by taking him to the vet now you will be helping him learn the value of your turtles. And hopefully he will come around as well.

[CApears4u2]

Thanks Sonja, Morning everyone. It's 8:00am here.

You know the "funny" thing is, he had a couple of RES (even named them) but it was years before we got together. I don't know what happened to them. Yesterday he scoffed because I changed the gravel to small river rock. Didn't think it necessary. But said the tank looked good.

His attitude about animals puzzles (sometimes PMO!) me. But I wont get into details here. He doesn't take care of any of our animals unless I ask him to help me with something which to his credit he'll do, but not without his opinions which of course are never wrong even though I do all the research.

'Kay, bich session over. Sorry guys.
Hey though, if anyone else has suggestions to where to go for support with "puzzling" spouses please PM me. Thanks.

P4U2

[marisa]

Let us know what the vet says.

[CApears4u2]

Okay,
After calling 3 different Vet hospitals I actually found one available today, in our area, with the least in fees! Took him in - actually both of them - at 10:30. After long conversation about habitat, food, light, etc. Vet said Little Guy might have a genetic issue. One where his body is unable to absorb the extra calcium regardless of his habitat and diet. Said he could be absorbing calcium from within his own body hence the no growth, soft shell, etc.

He was glad I brought both of them in as it helped him come to this probable conclusion. Since BOTH turts have been in the exact habitat and have been eating the exact same thing and Big Guy is the only one progressing, the problem is most likely genetic with LG, who weighed in at 5 grams.

This seems to make sense to me also, as I've observed absolutely no bullying whatsoever and they both have had the same light and overall care, etc.

Anyway, he told me to keep trying the calcium powder on his food and I have been feeding him seperately to make sure he eats plenty. He has always had a good appetite. Also there has never been any other outward signs of sickness and his swimming is just very slightly lopsided and he can easily right himself. But he's still tiny so we'll see.

So in conclusion if he's genetically dispositioned to be "defective" (Mother Nature's way) he'll either survive this or not. I'm going to do my best.

Thanks all for your concern. Your support has been hugely helpful.
Thank you.

P4U2

[sonyj]

I'm so glad you were able to take him in. At least now you know what you are up against, and will be able to help him to the best of your abilities. Keep us posted on how he's doing.