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Our school librarian brought me a young RES today, that was taken to her by one of our 5th graders. The child said it won't eat, hasn't for 2 months (!!!!), and they feed it lettuce. (gak!) The librarian said she just can't care for another critter just now, so would I take it. (Of course!) I don't know what kind of set-up the turtle was in...could have just been one of those plastic turtle bowls with the ramp and the palm tree. Anyway...I'm going to put him in a tank with a basking lamp, pump/filter, basking place, thermometer...just like my 4 RES are in, and see if that helps. I tried giving it some frozen turtle diet (my guys LOVE that stuff, and want to eat EVERY time someone passes by! I've never seen one that wouldn't eat.) and a few pellets, but the little guy just ignored the food, even when it floated around his mouth. In the event a better set-up doesn't help, any ideas? I hope my plan works, will keep y'all posted.

Water temp can affect how much a turtle wants to eat. You can also try soaking some lettuce or pellets in tuna juice over-night to entice eating.

So, first off, RES need lettuce, so at least they were trying ... A turtle can't survive on just pellets, well, not healthily at least. And I hope you've quarantined the new turtle for 90 days. Introducing him into an established tank can cause your other turtles to get sick (if he has an RI or stomach parasites) or aggression and your turtles can hurt him. If he hasn't seriously eaten in 2 months (granted, taken from a child), you need to take him to a vet because he really may have a parasite or something. Just keep trying to give him pellets, maybe a bit of some real fish, and maybe he'll start eating. But don't let him near your RES!

Water temp needs to be 78 degrees or, if he's sick even higher - 80 or 82.

Here are some tips on how to encourage a reluctant turtle to eat:

http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

The most common reason a turtle won't eat is that the water temp is too cool. Another reason is that he is nervous because he's in a strange new environment. It may take a little turtle a week or even longer to get comfortable enough in a new place to eat and bask.

Of course the other big reason a turtle won't eat is that he doesn't feel good. Considering this guys history, if it were me I'd get him to a vet as soon as possible.

The new kid is in his own tank, no way will I put him with my girls. I haven't seen him eat, but he's beginning to wander around the tank and climb onto the basking log. the water is at a good temp. I feed my girls a frozen turtle diet from Petsmart. It has all sorts of good stuff in it. Also give them pellets and sometimes romaine. If he doesn't start eating by Monday or so, I'm going to find a vet who treats turtles and get him checked out. Thanks for the suggestions.

I have a baby res. i don't know how old he is. he was givem to me. i have had him only a week. he water temp is good and i haven't seen him eat anything. i have tried to feed him in his regular home instead of taking him out and that doesnt work. i have tried lettuce, pellets, earthworms and squash, dandilion and some aquatic plants(hyacinth). any suggestions? can he get nutrients after pellet dissolved in water and just let him hang out in feeding tub...

Have your tried the suggestions in the link above? I'd avoid moving him around at this point and let him get accustomed to his current arrangements. You can try live fish like minnows (you might have to hold them by the tail and let them wiggle in front of your turtle).