Feeding and Nutrition :: New Hatchlings

[lisajonathan00]

I jsut got my hatchlings today and I am going to get them different foods tom. What should I feed them daily? What variety. I have read the food sheet, but I easily get confused if it is not told right to me. LOL Sorry just gotta read it to me for some reason. But I dont know what all I should be starting them on besides the pellets I have them already. I would really appreciate this and thanks to everyone for their advice and help.

[cam722]

You need to find a good turtle pellet.. most ppl use reptomin baby for hatchlings since it's smaller. You can try feeding them greens but most babies don't eat veggies easily.. I'd wait a bit on that. You also should put a piece of cuttlebone in the tank and see if they'll nibble on that.

You just feed them the amount that would fit in their head (minus the neck) if it were hollowed out. If in doubt, err on the smaller portion. Too much can cause health problems.

[lisajonathan00]

Ok I was just wanting to make sure I didn't have to have anything else right now. I have Wardley reptile premium sticks right now. I will get the hatchling tomorow. Also will it be ok to put guppies in there now? I know they probably wont eat them yet, but if they tried would it hurt them? I would like to see them swim in there with them!

[industrial_girl_2000]

Guppies are fine. Those are what I have swimming with my hatchling too! And you are right, guppies are very cute just swimming round and round.

[mkoby]

My hatchling ate not one but TWO rosie reds in the first 20 minutes of being in her new home!!!! I started with 5. I have none now. (one did die though). Also, s/he LOVES her lettuce! I never had a problem getting her to eat it. She ate her anacharis plant right away so I added organic spring mix i bought at the fruit market. So far I've been really fortunate. Feel free to start out with an aquatic plant. The anacharis is a big hit with most turtles although it can be quite messy!

[industrial_girl_2000]

mkoby is right, I can vouche for the anacharis being messy (this plant is the kind that looks like long furry green caterpillers and it just grows and grows).

I come home every day to find the anacharis shredded, pieces floating here/there & little leaves everywhere. But baby loves it so who am I to argue? LOL

[lisajonathan00]

Thanks I will look at the store after while today.

[lisajonathan00]

Ok I got them 4 rosey reds and 4 ghost shrimp. I also got baby pellets. I had a crappy store person and they could not find the # for the plant so I will go up there and get a live plant today. When i fed the fish dismorning, one of my turtles finally came out and started to eat. As soon as I went to raise over the tank and put the food up, he jumped back. So I left them alone maybe they will eat. He didn't try to eat till he seen the rosey's eat. Maybe that helped them out. The store had none of the cheap guppies only the fantail ones. So I got rosey red instead.