Feeding and Nutrition :: More calcium?

[cfrenia]

My RES is a baby, between 1-2". The only thing he will eat is bloodworms. I know he needs more calcium, but I don't know what to feed him to give him some. Aquatic plants?
I have some of the calcium powder which I'm going to start using more and some cuttlebone - I heard someone say that they break up the cuttlebone very small so they can chew it. Is this right?
Also is there any way I can get him to eat the pellets? If I offer him nothing but pellets for a few days will he just learn to eat them?
Also, I think his shell is getting a little soft but I don't know. It is flexible bcak by the tail, but nowhere else, and no white spots either.
He basks alot also.
Any suggestions for getting him more calcium and/or getting him to eat the pellets?

[SpotsMama]

Cuttlebone is a good source of calcium. You can break it up into small pieces to make it easier for him to eat. My turtle likes his cuttlebone pieces in a vegetable clip which anchors them for him. He nibbles on the cuttlebone from time to time when he feels like it.

There are several ways to transition him to pellets. One way is to mix the pellets and bloodworms and feed him the mixture. Day by day, reduce the amount of bloodworms and increase the pellets until he's transitioned. You can also try soaking the pellets in something else tasty, like tunafish juice.

It's normal for the shells of little ones to be somewhat soft, especially towards the tail. It should harden up in a few months.

Is he basking under a good UVB bulb? Turtles need to UVB in order to metabolize the calcium they eat.

[cfrenia]

Mixing the bloodworms & pellets is a really good idea, although pretty gross!
I will definetly try it tomorrow.
And yes he has a UVB bulb.
I tried the pellets in tuna for maybe 2-3 days but he didn't eat and then I got worried he would starve so I just started feeding him again

[SpotsMama]

To me, bloodworms all by themselves are pretty gross! But there's no accounting for turtle taste.