Feeding and Nutrition :: Not sure if I am feeding enough or too little

[longtimeturtlelover]

I have had my RES turtle for a little over a week now and I'm not sure if I am feeding him (just found out he is a boy, his name is Ethel LOL) too much or too little. His shell is a little over 4 inches. I have been told that would indicate he is a year and a half to two years old. How much should he eat in a day?

[jenaero]

Size isn't really relative to age in captivity. Depending on where you got him, he could in fact be older.

Anyhoo, for a turt that size, feed the amount of pellets the size of his head (not including the neck) every other day. Offer veggies on the days in between.

[longtimeturtlelover]

Size isn't really relative to age in captivity. Depending on where you got him, he could in fact be older.

Anyhoo, for a turt that size, feed the amount of pellets the size of his head (not including the neck) every other day. Offer veggies on the days in between.

What do you mean by "the size of his head"? Do you mean pellets lined up to the length or width of his head or a group of pellets about the size or circumference of his head? Also, is it okay to hang a bunch of anacharis in the aquarium and just let him munch away at it? Or should I only put the anacharis in on the days I am not giving him pellets?

[jenaero]

Sorry, I should have been more clear on that. The amount that would fit inside it's head if it were hollow, not including the neck. A group of pellets the size of it's head is about right.

I choose to offer veggies/plants on in between days so they get a little something each day. Some people offer both on feeding days and nothing on the days in between. For anacharis, I used to put in a couple strings at a time. The first (and last) time I ever threw a whole bunch in there, I ended up with a big mess that clogged my filter.

[longtimeturtlelover]

Sorry, I should have been more clear on that. The amount that would fit inside it's head if it were hollow, not including the neck. A group of pellets the size of it's head is about right.

I choose to offer veggies/plants on in between days so they get a little something each day. Some people offer both on feeding days and nothing on the days in between. For anacharis, I used to put in a couple strings at a time. The first (and last) time I ever threw a whole bunch in there, I ended up with a big mess that clogged my filter.

I agree, the anacharis does make a huge mess. I noticed my filter was also clogged after I left 2 or 3 strands floating in the water. I'll NOT do that again. Live and learn, eh? I'm going to the grocery store this evening and I think I'll buy him some yummy romaine lettuce for the non pellet days.
Thanks for the help.