Feeding and Nutrition :: New turtle. Please help with feeding!

[mkoby]

I have a little hatchling that I got Friday 11/24. I have to say that he is just under 1.5 inches. I recently finished his tank set up. I now have the water temp at a steady 78 degrees and he is still not eating! I haven't seen him touch a single pellet and it seems that I have to clean out just as many as I put in. I have a veggie clip with romaine lettuce on it. I can't tell if he is trying it or not. I also have a water plant in the tank. Tried the feeder fish but 2 died shortly after I put them in the tank and the third got caught in the filter. He didn't seem interested in them either. Do you put the veggies in the water? I kinda know what to feed him by all the info on this site, but not how. How does this all work? Please help!

Thank you!!!

Sorry for the long post!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

it might take sometime for your new red ear slider to eat,he is just adjusting to his new enviroment,my two turtles didnt eat until a week after i got them its tottally normal.and yes you put veggies in the water.it might take them a little longer to accept the veggies but dont stop offering,because sooner or later they will accept the veggies and veggies are realy good for them.you might wanna try dropping in a few pellets and give them some privacy,maybe that will get them to eat faster.

[missibsu]

Like xsaving said, it may take some time. You can also try enticing him with his pellets soaked in tuna juice. Others have mixed their greens in some canned cat food. This should be used to get them started, and not used all the time.

[marisa]

Just leave the veggies in the water. Since he's small, make the pieces small and thin for him to easily eat. You might want to break up a leave of lettuce, for example into smaller pieces.

How many pellets are you putting in the water? If he's not eating many, put fewer in (why waste them) until his appetite increases. Something that moves, like pieces of a worm, might also get him interested in eating. Most likely, though he needs a bit more time to feel comfortable. Are you leaving him alone when he eats?

[mkoby]

I had the lettuce on a veggie clip while I was at work. My daughter puts in 5 pellets when she gets home from school then goes and does her homework. An hour later she checks on him. I try to have her check on him every hour when she's home just to see where he's at or what he's doing. He mostly sleeps. I tried some small feeder fish, but they died really quick. There's 2 ghost shrimp in the tank too. He looks healthy.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

dont you worry,he will soon eat.i read the other post you posted about how you got your turtle.its nice of you to have rescued him and provided him with a healthy habitat.turtles are very rewarding pets,you'll find yourself getting super attached to the little fellow and with a life span of 40 to 60 years he'll be around for a long time.

[cprcheetah]

It usually takes turtles a few days to adjust to their new environments. I have heard of 5-7 days to start eating sometimes a little longer.