Feeding and Nutrition :: My turtle won't eat pellet food.

[HunterOfMadrigal]

I can't find another topic that is concerning me so redirect me if I missed one.

My 8 month old RES male (I think), suddenly stopped eating pellet food, and wont eat veggies at all. He only goes for meat, I am feeding him minnows, guppies, and frozen beef heart. I am wondering if this is normal or a minor/major concern. He seems healthy though, very active, and big appetite, I feed him a small amount every day, a bit smaller than his head, and some times a feeder minnow. I see no shell problems or any physical problems either, so anyone have any advice?

[steve]

What's the water temp? Does he have a healthy weight? If it's seasonal/tank conditions then he's just being picky. Try some different veggies or pellets and use a minimal amount of the minnows/guppies.

[HunterOfMadrigal]

His temp is steady at 76F, he's about 4 1/2 inches at 8 months, and I don't have a scale so I can't accurately weigh him. So far for veggies I have tried romaine lettuce, carrots, zucchini, the frozen aquatic turtle food that is mostly comprised of plants, and cucumber. He doesn't take to any of them. I have also tried to steam/boil the veggies and he still doesn't like them. The tank is a 125 gallon glass aquarium 5 ft long, with about 80 gallons in it.

[steve]

He's quite big for that age. I'd cut down and keep offering veggies even though he's not eating it. Maybe some aquatic plants which can live in the tank.

[slider_keeper]

Wow, 4 inches for a 8 month old male slider!? Did you get him as a hatchling around a inch and a half? Or was he around 4 in. when you got him? Males don't grow that fast, well niether does females in natural conditions! I have noticed my females grew faster than my male is growing. He is 3 yrs old and barely at 5 in.

[Into_the_Mystic]

Mine is about a year and is 4 inches. He gets pellets every other day and lettuce just about every day. Is that too much?

The pellets are fed the amount of his head size. Maybe I should back off feeding him evey other day and just go every two days now. = : <

[HunterOfMadrigal]

I got my guy when he was about quarter sized, the guy I bought him from said it was about 2 weeks old, and he didn't seem to know anything about turtles, because he thought he had Asian box turtles. I have cut back on feeding him, and am keeping veggies in the tank during the day, tossing them at night. Earlier he took a bite of pellet food, but spat it back out, and I have not been giving him as much meats.

[steve]

@Into_the_Mystic - How does his shell look?

@HunterOfMadrigal - I'd also try some lettuce or aquatic plants... maybe use a veggie clip to help out.

[Into_the_Mystic]

@Into_the_Mystic - How does his shell look?

@HunterOfMadrigal - I'd also try some lettuce or aquatic plants... maybe use a veggie clip to help out.

A little peaked, and not flat... I will see if I have a picture to post. I figured if he was eating every other day, that that was fine.. now I am beginning to wonder

[steve]

Peaked along the "spine" is pretty normal. Retained scutes might also make the other scutes looked peaked.

[HunterOfMadrigal]

I have elodea densa in the tank, he takes bites sometimes, but not enough to make a significant part of his diet.

[slider_keeper]

@Into_the_Mystic and HunterOfMadrigal - could you post pics of your males and their shells?

[Into_the_Mystic]

@Into_the_Mystic and HunterOfMadrigal - could you post pics of your males and their shells?

Will try to remember to do this by the weekend. I gave him nothing but carrot slivers this morning. How often does one feed carrots?

[slider_keeper]

I feed a baby carrot once a month. They should be used as a occasional treat. I think once a month is a good amount.

[Into_the_Mystic]

@Into_the_Mystic and HunterOfMadrigal - could you post pics of your males and their shells?

I just have one.. His name is Skimmer.

As you can tell, he is finally starting to shed some for the first time.