Feeding and Nutrition :: Feeding the little guys

[GotEmInOkinawa]

Hello again everyone. I have very quickley discovered what messy kids I have, and was wanting to start feeding them outside the main tank. That is not really the issue that I have, (although it is unfun to have to try and catch three month old sliders in a 55gal tank ) my issue is getting them to eat seperatley. I like to feed them individually so that i know that the bigger of the two Morty doesn't eat DC's food. DC is really shy, and like to run away from me, or not eat if Morty isn't in the tank with him/her. Any ideas on how to remedy this situation? Also, I was wondering if I should leave the florecent lights that are on the tank covers on at night when they sleep, or should I turn them off when I turn their basking light off? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Kevin

[industrial_girl_2000]

Feed them in the feeding pan together, but keep an eye on how much they are both eating. If that doesn't work (if Morty eats all the food before DC can get to it), then you will have to feed them separately. It will take more time & patience especially if DC is so shy, but after a while, they will get used to it.

It may help also, if you give DC a small treat like a worm at the end of the feeding. Turtles love treats.

[GotEmInOkinawa]

Hmm... not a bad idea bout the worm. When you say worm, do you mean meal worms, or wax worms? Thanks for your response!

Kevin

[steve]

Can you take one out and feed in a container and feed the other in the main tank? Or just have an empty container and put the one you're not feeding in there.

The basking and UV lights go off at night.

[Tenodera]

Mealworms don't have much nutrition and the exoskeleton is very touch to digest.

I think she means common earthworms. But be sure not to collect from an area with pesiticides!!

[SpotsMama]

After they've been fed in separate containers for awhile they'll learn that when you come to get them if means FOOD! and then they won't run away - they will swim up to you. It may take awhile for them to get to this point.

When Spot was little if I put my fingers on the surface of the water and wiggled them a little, he would come to see what was going on and then I could catch him.

[GotEmInOkinawa]

I feel special, cause today, Morty ate from my hand. DC wouldn't but I still got him to eat which was good. I turn the UV and basking lights off, but my tank has a hood with a florescent light built in that I keep on during the day for the plants that are in the tank. Should that go off at night too?

[powerofvoodoo]

Yes, the turtles should be on a day/night schedule.

[GotEmInOkinawa]

Cool then I've been doing right by them.