Feeding and Nutrition :: feeding outside the tank

[TortsNTurtles]

Myrtle is very stressed when I try to feed her in a container outside her tank. Its obvious she is used to eating in her tank. She is a piggy and will eat everything, her greens etc. in the tank. She will only eat live food in her container. I think she just can't resist them. When she is in the container she just keeps swimming in a panic trying to get through the sides and has no interest in food. She is now on high alert when she sees me as if there is no way I am going to catch her which makes me feel bad because in tank she is normally very social. If I do this daily will she eventually get used to it or will it just always stress her out?

[steve]

She will get used to it but not always worth the time.

[TortsNTurtles]

Thanks Steve!

[steve]

No problem! Just save it when you're doing a messy treat. Or if you know your turt will poop right after eating... other than those times, I don't bother.

[L.West]

To Steve, you reccommend that we feed the turtles/hatchings right in their tanks - correct. I don't have mine yet but will next week. I want to start them out correctly.

How do we know how much to feed them??

[TortsNTurtles]

I have been feeding her in the tank. I gave up quickly. Now that I am using a high quality filter her tank is staying clean so feeding in the tank is not a big deal. I also cut back on the pellets and have a minimum decorations in the tank.

[steve]

Yes, I would recommend feeding their turtles in their regular tank. There are exceptions like when it's medicated or messy for instance.

[dumbork14]

it's the opposite in the case of Dumbork. Just want to share that sometimes she even stares at me whenever I come near the tank, especially if she knows it's feeding time

Happy eating to Myrtle!