Feeding and Nutrition :: feeding turtle fish food?

[mal]

I heard somewhere it is good to feed turtles color-enhancing fish foods, is that true? does anyone have experience doing this or recommend this? I just want to try something new.

[gwennie]

I would say that it isn't good to feed your turtles color-enhancing fish foods. Fish food doesn't have the right mix of vitamins and minerals that your turtle requires to be healthy.

I wouldn't say it's good for fish either, but folks do it because they want their colors to pop.

[blackforces get you]

hmm i wonder where did you hear that. i haven't experienced feeding turtles that stuff.

i don't recommend it because...lets just stick to turtle food. don't want your turtles turning gray or black or something

[mal]

I was thinking more once a month type thing. But I'm not into trying it just to try it, especially concerning my turtle. I read tons of stuff so I don't remember exactly where I read it.

I have my turtle Mort on Reptomin, HBH turtle bites, green leaf lettuce, and once a week either blueberries, cantaloupe or carrot.

[theartbook35]

Fish food is for fish. UVB and a proper turtle based diet, will improve your turtle's color just fine. Color also improves with shedding.

[marisa]

If you want to feed "color enhancing" foods, include veggies that are high in beta carotene---carrots, red peppers, dandelion greens, pumpkin, sweet potato, etc., in the diet.

[jozzep]

If it's a "once in a while" thing i can't see the harm, but keep using the turtle pellets as a staple diet.

[TheComputerGremlin]

I think the color enhancing fish food is mainly forms of vitamin C or beta carotene to help perk up the yellows, oranges, and reds. I doubt that it will help out your turtle's color, as they naturally darken over the years. I would stick with traditional turtle pellets, and emphasize a variety of fruits/veggies to give any color boosts.