So far with Lightning, this is what I've been doing (it's been just over a week since he moved in).
He is about 2 years old; shell is about 6". I feed by tossing food in a bit at a time. I also put a fave food on his basking log occasionally.
Monday: pellets - about the size of his head but I give them throughout the day; lettuce
Tuesday: just a very few pellets (a reward for swimming near my finger) and grapes, tomatoes, lettuce
Wednesday: same as Monday...changing lettuce to find a type he likes
Thursday: same as Tuesday but with different veggies and fruits (I always try to feed more veg than fruit)
Etc etc
My concerns are:
- because I am home during the day, I am able to feed him a little bit every couple hours. I'm assuming that's how he would eat in his natural habitat...but am I wrong? Is it okay to feed this way? It's also nice to be able to reward him with a pellet or two when he gets my attention (throwing rocks around) and swims up to see me). I will eventually require him to take the food from my hand as he becomes more comfortable.
- should he have a cuttlebone or calcium block in the water at all times? The lady at the local pet store said to put calcium drops in the water. Is there a 'best' way to address calcium needs?
- i have been cutting fruit quite small but was wondering if it might actually be good for him to have to bite into larger pieces: a grape cut in half, for example,movers us quarters. True?
Thanks in advance for your help!