Feeding and Nutrition :: RES has not eaten for more than 7 days

[snappyT]

Our RES who is 4 years old stopped eating 7 days ago. His shell is peeling like usual. He is not acting sick, we have a underwater filter. Two days ago I changed his light from a turtle tuff light to a UVA/UVB light in hopes this will help. He used to scratch at the tank when he was hungry or wanted attention, now he is just hanging out on his ramp or floating in the water. It has gotten really cold here and our house goes down to 66 degrees during the day. I am hoping the light will help keep him warm. Any suggestions?

[gwennie]

Do you have a water heater?

You really need to get one to keep your turtle's tank water at a healthy temperature.

[snappyT]

We have had him for just over 4 years and never purchased a heater. I know this sounds strange but do we really need one if he has never had one before and has been fine. If he does what kind do you suggest? We are thinking of upgrading from his 30 gallon to a bigger tank. Should we get one that will fit both sizes if we get one? Thank you

[marisa]

If the water temp is too low, he will not want to/be unable to eat. Seasonal changes can temporarily affect appetite, however, since you say that it's gotten really cold, it sounds more likely that it's getting too cold for him. His eating has never slowed down in the past like this? Perhaps the weather is colder than it has been in the past and is affecting him this year. Perhaps he's more sensitive to the cold this year for whatever reason.

It would be wise to get a submersible water heater for him and set it at around 75F. See if his appetite comes back.

As a guideline, for the heater, allow 3 - 5 watts per gallon. For a 30-gallon tank, I'd use a 150-watt heater. You could get a higher wattage if you're going to use it temporarily until you upgrade the tank.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

I agree completely with marisa. If the temp. is too low or too high, it can affect his appetite. So can the weather...I think marisa pretty much covered everything!

[sophyturtle]

I have been having a similar problem with my youngest male.

I have had him since the fall of 2006, and I think he hatched that summer.

There was some neglect before I took him. I was given him with another turtle. They had been kept in a 10 gallon tank with an incandescent bulb, next to the window in a dorm room. The smaller had been doing "back flips" for months and by the time I had him there was not much I could do. He died within a week (my guess was he had pneumonia and his lungs were full of liquid which was why he could not right himself)

He was always much smaller than my other turtles, and I have had him separated most of the time I had him. Even at over 4" he is my smallest turtle. Sadly, I have not been able yet to get him a large enough tank for the growth he has done in the last year. I hope that after the holidays I will be able to upgrade him past the ~50 gallon I have now.

There is a water heater set to 72 degree F. (150 watt if I remember correctly?, fully submersible) The tank is almost all water with a pile of rocks on top of a glass block. It is not much basking space, but enough room for him to climb up and turn around. There is also a water filter with the output above the water (it falls back in causing a small cascade of bubbles in it's wake).

I have a self ballasted mercury vapor bulb (UVA/UVB), and a basking lamp. The lamp is right over the basking rock and the vapor bulb is slightly more centralized.

He can easily climb onto the rocks, but I don't know the temp since the strip has been scratched up.

I had been feeding him daily, and he ate excitedly every day (reptomin pre-made pellets) until about a month ago. As far as I can tell he has not really eaten at all since then. All he did with the strawberry slices I offered him was sit on them or ignore them. I tried carrot shavings but he was likewise unimpressed.

I am getting very worried. His behavior is fine, he swims and basks normally. He just won't eat. I have been looking for vets but everyone is out until after the holidays.

Any advice?

[worldpeace]

sophyturtle - Have you tried live fish? Or canned tuna? It's easier to tempt him with some smelly foods like tuna, rather than veggies.

[sophyturtle]

I actually had not thought about fish. I will give that a try.

Thanks

[alpinegamer]

My girlfriend is having the same problem she had 2 baby red ear slider for a year one died and the other stop eating we when out and got another one from china town but he hasn't eating at all there tank is well light and the ater is at 75F we have tried different food but nothing seems to work. what are we doing wrong she is starting to get concerned we are both in collage and these is really the only pet we have.

[steve]

Bump the water up to 80F and go through the ideas to entice eating... live prey, worms, canned crickets, canned tuna...

[sophyturtle]

I am still having trouble with my little one. He is still acting normally, but he still has not eaten. I tried live fish and he just kicked them out of the way as he swam around. His tank is the warmest part of the house and I have not changed his light cycle so I don't think he is doing the whole getting ready for hibernation thing.
I just don't know. I tried giving him lots of privacy, but it did not change things. He is not yawning or sneezing.
Tonight I am going to give his tank a thorough cleaning and make sure his water levels (ammonia and such) are at good levels but beyond that I don't know what to do.

[heatpump]

I am still having trouble with my little one. He is still acting normally, but he still has not eaten. I tried live fish and he just kicked them out of the way as he swam around. His tank is the warmest part of the house and I have not changed his light cycle so I don't think he is doing the whole getting ready for hibernation thing.
I just don't know. I tried giving him lots of privacy, but it did not change things. He is not yawning or sneezing.
Tonight I am going to give his tank a thorough cleaning and make sure his water levels (ammonia and such) are at good levels but beyond that I don't know what to do.

did your problem get fixed any how ? please tell me cause my turtle is doing the same ?! it doesn't show any sick behavior nor symptoms but it's not interested in food any more !!!

[sophyturtle]

Actually, I have still not seen him eat. I put him in the larger tank thinking it was being in a glass tank he did not like. But he still does not come up for food, despite sleeping next to the tank heater and basking (even if it is not as often as I would like).
He must be eating when I cannot see, because he is still alive and has not seemed to lose any weight.

Sorry I can't help more.

[turtle man]

I am still having trouble with my little one. He is still acting normally, but he still has not eaten. I tried live fish and he just kicked them out of the way as he swam around. His tank is the warmest part of the house and I have not changed his light cycle so I don't think he is doing the whole getting ready for hibernation thing.
I just don't know. I tried giving him lots of privacy, but it did not change things. He is not yawning or sneezing.
Tonight I am going to give his tank a thorough cleaning and make sure his water levels (ammonia and such) are at good levels but beyond that I don't know what to do.

How big is this turtle and how long ago did you get him?If he's to little he'll have a very hard time catching them (they don't swim fast enough) or maybe hes not yet acclimated, so when you come in he immediatly stops eating?