Feeding and Nutrition :: Seperate feeding area

[Bigdadd07]

We have 2 newly aquired RES, both of which are about 1in long. We have had them for a week now. When I feed them, I remove them both from their tank and put both of them in the same bowl to feed. The reason I do this is to help keep the main tank clean. 1 of the turts (Capone) will eat and swim like crazy while the other turt (Shelby) just kinda sits at the bottom of the bowl and I have only seen he/she eat a few pellets. Should I be concerned about the lack of eating? The same turtle is not very active in the main tank however he does seem happy, sleeps a lot. Any ideas would be appreciated. thanks.

[vear]

Try feeding them separately. You can try to feed the "shy" turtle first instead of taking them both out at the same time. It may be that Capone is intimidating Shelby.

Also, you should watch them in the main tank - make sure Capone is not bullying the other turtle.

[Bigdadd07]

thanks for the reply vear. I tried once before to feed them apart from each other and neither one of them ate anything. I tried it again today and the same happened. Neither one ate until I brought them back together. I have seen on one occasion where one turt snapped at the other one but it hasnt happened again.

Maybe its just him still trying to "adjust" to being here, I dunno.

[Kemul]

I feed my turtles separately and in feeding containers so as not to dirty the main
tank. What I do is I fill the containers with water from the main tank, put pellets
in, and then move the turtles to the containers. I put them where they can't see
me when they're eating. I use that occasion to refill the main tank.

The feeding session usually doesn't last 5 minutes. When I come back to see the
turtles, all pellets are gone. It takes a few days for the turtles to get used to the
routine, though.

Some turtles are shy; it's important to give them privacy when they're eating.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Try feeding them in the main tank. Your turtles just might not like the seperate feeding areas.

I have a couple turtles that you can keep them in a seperate feeding area for hours and they will not eat a thing but as soon as there back in main tank they will eat right away.

[Turtle Mummy 101]

I used to use the same method as Kemul to feed Charlotte. She would eat, but not as much as when I feed her in her tank. I guess she's just used to the setup of her tank and feels more comfortable there? Although she's not shy when she eats - she's a little piggy!

Whether or not you feed in a seperate container, it's whatever your turtle feels comfortable with.

[Bigdadd07]

thanks everybody. I will try your suggestions until the turtles are comfortable, I just really didnt want to have to change the main tank as often as will be needed if they eat in there. Il give it a try.

[jay2487]

some turtles just refuse to eat outside there habitat, and seeing as how they can go many days without eating it would be hard to keep them in a seperate feeding container until they got hungry. My YBS will eat anything anywhere. She will even eat shrimp and not be close to water, my RES won't touch a thing even after being left alone for hours in an seperate container. I guess he just doesn't feel comfortable enough to eat outside the tank or he know he can hold out longer than i can lol

[Bigdadd07]

Tomorrow Im going to feed them in the main tank to see if the little guys will both eat.

[bradmeisel]

my guys are much more comfortable in their tank. I even leave them in there when I do water changes and they are completely used to it. Whenever I take them out, I think it stresses them. Try to get a overmatched filter and the feeding shouldn't affect the tank much. The tank gets dirty regardless. Until you get a 55 gal or over the water just gets dirty ppretty fast.

One of my turtles was much less outgoing when I kept them together. Once they were apart the "shy" developed a much more outgoing, cooler personality. The hyper one was keeping the other down. Who would have thought.

[Bigdadd07]

Tried feeding in the main tank, it worked!! Both turts ate up like crazy and have been more active today. Just means more water changes for me but if it keeps my little dudes happy its worth it. I never knew how much of a personality turtles could have and how 2 in the same tank could be so different. This is a lot more fun than having fish! Thanks again for the suggestions, I love this forum.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Glad to hear everything worked out ^-^ Like i thought they dont feel comfortable enough in a new strange area to eat.

I like this forum too lol

[jay2487]

like brad said, if you have enough filtration feeding them in the tank isn't going to hurt anything, actually some foods will actually stimulate BB growth and help the tank keep itself clean