Feeding and Nutrition :: Very picky eater

[cfrenia]

My turtle Philbert is a very picky eater...I feel like I've tried everything and the only thing he will eat is tuna. I've been washing it and cleaning it to remove some of the salt. I've tried mealworms and crickets, and three types of pellets. I've tried soaking the pellets in the tuna water to make them more appealing.
Recently I've been covering some of the tuna with a calcium powder because I know he;s not getting enough calcium. I've also tried some kale the other day but he totally ignored that.
What else can I try? Is he going to die if I keep feeding him only tuna?
Thanks

[Tenodera]

Maybe if you don't give him tuna and only leave him pellets he'll get hungry enough to eat. and don't worry about him starving if you do this. It all depends on how stubborn your turtle is...lol

[DavidY]

Yea, it sounds like you're going to have to use some "tough love" at this point. Once they get hooked on the "junk" food, it's going to take some strong measures to get him to eat right. Stop giving him tuna and just keep offering the pellets soaked in tuna. Once he starts to eat that (and he will eventually if that's all there is) then just give him straight pellets without soaking it.

[marisa]

cfrenia, is there a Petsmart anywhere near you? If so, look and see if they sell San Francisco Bay Aquatic Turtle Diet in the frozen food section. It's a blister pack of cubes that contain anachris, dandelions, carrots, pollock, and bloodworms as main ingredients. It's also vitamin fortified. For small turtles, I cut a cube into quarters and drop them in the tank. It has a fishy smell, which attracts turtles, as well as some good plant matter in it. Most turtles like it, and I've transitioned hatchlings to go from eating it to other types of veggies.

It is messy, however, and you may want to feed your turtle in a separate container if you're not already doing so. It's also mostly moisture, so you don't want to be this the only food your turtle eats. Offer it as part of the overall diet.

[cfrenia]

Thank you for that suggestion Marisa! Yes, I feed him in a separate container because I have two RES and the other is very aggressive.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Cfrenia,

How long have you had your turtle? Just curious, because it can take turtles time to adjust to a new environment if you just recently got him.

I see you are a new poster here, so welcome!