Urgent Care :: Red Eared Slider Hatchling won't eat?

[bmm1001]

How big is your turtle? about an inch and a half in diameter.
How long have you had it? six days.

What is the water temperature?
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? No.
How much water is in there? Tank is about 3/4 full
Are you using a water conditioner? no.
Are you using any filtration? Yes - tetra power 10 filter.

What is the basking temperature?
Is there a basking light? Yes.
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes.
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Fluker's Clamp Lamp, 75 watt. Bulb is EcoTerra 50w swamp basking spot bulb.
Is there a UVB light? No? I don't know? I assumed the basking lamp i got had both.

What have you been trying to feed it? cut up earthworms, pellets, ham.
When was the last time your turtle ate? Never in my care.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 10 gallon.
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No, in my bedroom.

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes.
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes.

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? No.

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5 days ago, I bought a hatchling res. Seems healthy but he won't eat. Just lost his egg tooth yesterday. I've tried pellets, ham, and earthworms so far, and put him in a separate eating bowl where i leave him for a half hour. He's about an inch and a half, currently in a ten gallon tank about 3/4 full with floating basking spot, gravel, one silk plant, and a tetra 10 power filter. Screen top w/ reptile heating lamp over basking spot. water temp about 75, don't have a separate water heater yet. I'm really worried .

[steve]

Try some live minnows or guppies. Hold them by the tail and let it wiggle in front of his face. Don't use a feeding container, let him get used to his tank and keep him in a quiet area to get adjusted. Avoid picking him up/handling as much as possible.

[bmm1001]

Is he big enough for feeder fish?

[steve]

It might take a few bites, which is unpleasant for you and the fish, but it's usually very enticing for them.

[bmm1001]

A guppy's been swimming in the tank for a couple hours, he's looked at it but that's about it. Don't even think he noticed the cricket My friend's res hatchling seemed interested and chased it, but I don't think mine has.

[steve]

Hold it by the tail and let it wiggle in his face. If he isn't eating, then he will quickly decline.

[bmm1001]

I did it, he just ran from it, I think since it was in my hand and he runs from me since he's just a hatchling. I used long reptile tweezers and offered him a cricket, he looked at that for longer but still didn't eat. I'm at my wit's end.

[steve]

I would suggest injuring the fish, and let your RES seek it out, but I'm not sure if you're willing to try that.

[bmm1001]

Attempting it. I'll do anything. I took off part of the guppy's fins already. I'm going to try half a bloodworm cube to see if that entices him. I offered him mealworms with reptile tweezers and he ran away/retracted. he's just scares of everything. I'm going to injore the fish, put in half a cube and cover his tank, see if that helps. Thank you for all of your help so far I just can't help but think i'm doing something wrong but idk what.

[Kansasslider]

You can also try freeze dried bloodworms and freeze dried shrimp broken into small pieces. The bloodworm float and are easy to eat. The shrimp have a strong oder and might entice it to eat. Omega one juvenile pellets are small and easier to eat. Hope it eats something soon.

[bmm1001]

I tried frozen bloodworm cubes, and the next morning all but one ABD the guppy were gone! Just watched him eat some, will alternate with those, pellets (i have ecoterra which he seems to ignore, gonna try my reptomin plus), crickets, and small amounts of veggies! I am SO relieved, thank you all!

[steve]

Awesome to hear! Don't be tempted to overfeed and slowly make adjustments to healthier stuff (as you seem to be doing).

[bmm1001]

What's overfeeding for a hatchling? I've been trying to feed him once a day, I've heard twice but that seems excessive.

[Kansasslider]

I fed mine once daily. None would eat veggies so pellets shrimp etc. About half what would fit in the head. But my gf also snuck in lots of treats. I'm so glad to hear its eating as many don't and die from lack of food.

[bmm1001]

I'm very relieved myself!