Feeding and Nutrition :: Trying To Feed A Baby Turtle

[BabyNemo]

Hi, my baby turtle Nemo is having difficulty eating. His shell is about an inch and a half wide. So far, these are the things I've tried to feed him and/or that I've put in his tank.
He won't eat. I've put in a 75 watt basking lamp over his basking area, raised the water temperature to 78-80 degrees and given him calcium in his water since he has a very soft belly-shell and I've heard it's because a lack of calcium.
I'm not sure what to try now.
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[ljapa]

Does your turtle have a UVB light or exposure to direct sunlight, not through glass?

Turtles need UVB and heat to help turn calcium into bone. It may also help with increasing appetite.

One suggestion I've seen to entice eating is to soak turtle pellets in the water from a can of tuna. Although, if it isn't interested in dried shrimp, I'm not sure that will work.

Does it eat at all?

EDIT: I just realized that you just got your turtle a few days ago. You should also know that not eating after change like a new tank or even a new basking platform is pretty common.

[BabyNemo]

Does your turtle have a UVB light or exposure to direct sunlight, not through glass?

Turtles need UVB and heat to help turn calcium into bone. It may also help with increasing appetite.

One suggestion I've seen to entice eating is to soak turtle pellets in the water from a can of tuna. Although, if it isn't interested in dried shrimp, I'm not sure that will work.

Does it eat at all?

EDIT: I just realized that you just got your turtle a few days ago. You should also know that not eating after change like a new tank or even a new basking platform is pretty common.

I saw him eat a tad bit of the "turtle bone" a few hours ago.
He has a UVB bulb and I've had him for close to a month now.

I'll try the soaking the pellets in a can of tuna water, I've never thought of that before. There's so many brands of turtle food out there.
Is there a better kind than the brand I'm feeding him?

[steve]

I'd try soaking it as well. Then try live feeder fish even if you have to hold it by the tail for your turtle.

Shrimp - rare treat
Reptisafe - water conditioners are not recommended, use a filter with carbon media instead
Sludge Destroyer - not recommended
Turtle bone - it's OK source of calcium, but regular cuttle bone (for birds) is the same item and cheaper
Reptomin Baby - it's good... Omega One and Mazuri are better.

[BabyNemo]

I'd try soaking it as well. Then try live feeder fish even if you have to hold it by the tail for your turtle.

Shrimp - rare treat
Reptisafe - water conditioners are not recommended, use a filter with carbon media instead
Sludge Destroyer - not recommended
Turtle bone - it's OK source of calcium, but regular cuttle bone (for birds) is the same item and cheaper
Reptomin Baby - it's good... Omega One and Mazuri are better.

Okay thank you. I'll try feeder fish when I move him into the 55 gallon since that'll be the next time I make a trip to petsmart/petco.

[n3hihz]

My turtles wouldn't eat for the first few days as a hatching. I crushed the pellets, which was a pain in the neck. Then they got use to it and fed more. Just make sure you don't over feed like I did.

[BabyNemo]

I witnessed the most amazing thing today! He not only ate two whole pellets, but chased an tried to eat a few ghost shrimp! I'm so proud of him!
Next to try in two weeks is feeder fish

Would guppies be okay? Like the small little colorful fish that breed like crazy?

[steve]

Very cool. You can try to fish sooner.. rosey red minnows are pretty cheap and a bit bigger for him.

[BabyNemo]

Very cool. You can try to fish sooner.. rosey red minnows are pretty cheap and a bit bigger for him.

The reason I'm having to wait is the closest Petsmart is an hour away.
But I will add Rosey Red Minnows to my next Petsmart haul list.
Thank you!

[steve]

Aquarium stores and other types of pet stores will have it too (if they're close enough).

[BabyNemo]

Aquarium stores and other types of pet stores will have it too (if they're close enough).

I live in the middle of nowhere so the only stores we have in relationship to animals is petsmart and petco. I wish we had other stores.