Feeding and Nutrition :: Picky Baby RES

[Mo Milazzo]

I have a 5 month old RES who doesn't like his/her pellets. I have been feeding it feeder fish, but I know a diet cannot solely be feeder fish. I have offered carrots, but that was a no go. So basically, what can I feed my turtle to make up for the lack of pellets?

[cutepanda86]

Have you tried more than one kind of pellet? Keep putting pellets into the water and nothing else. Eventually the little guy will take the hint that pellets are what they need to eat. Have you tried lettuce?

[Mo Milazzo]

I have tried multiple pellets and for 1 week that's all I offered him and nothing was eaten. Good Lord! Looks like I have a princess on my hands!

[steve]

How big is he (shell length)?

[Kansasslider]

Could be your turtle is full of fish. I would start by not feeding fish sooner or later it will eat pellets .

[Mo Milazzo]

Franklin's shell is 1 1/2 inches long and 1 3/4 inches wide. It has been about a week and I've offered nothing but pellets and none have been eaten. I need some serious help. He only wants shrimp and guppies. Should I give in and feed him some meat or continue to wait it out?

[devilduck]

I think this needs tough love. Hold out until he eats the pellets.

[Mo Milazzo]

Ok, thanks for the advice!

[slider_keeper]

Yep tough love, he will eat pellets;)

[apondfortimmy]

And then pretty soon he'll be begging you for those, too.

[slider_keeper]

true statement!

[Mo Milazzo]

And then pretty soon he'll be begging you for those, too.

...The begging has begun...

[slider_keeper]

begging for pellets= good. Has he eaten them yet?

[ataraxiamb]

You know, when they're young, those pellets look almost identical coming out as they did going in...

[Mo Milazzo]

Lol yeah, h eats now. I posted a topic about it. I've already fattened him up a bit. What can I say, I'm a sucker!