Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:28 pm Re: need little help on new RES ....
Welcome to the forum ! I myself am new to this forum but having turtles over 30 years. It's only been a few days , most any type turtle will get what is called new home syndrome. He/she will be scared and not very comfortable. What for now you can do is give say him one or two hiding places and give him time to adjust. Also you can put your tank in a room with less action going on to help calm him down , a lot of people walking by will scare him. In the water most turtles feel safer. Think about if you were in a glass house and everyone is watching your every move. He is in that glass house. Most people need to look at it the turtles point of view. I have heard some would put cardboard on the outside for a while so he feels like he's safe but that's ugly. Find a few safe plastic plants you can weight down to be on the bottom or make a cave with some safe rocks for him to hide in. Most of all each turtle will take the time he needs to adjust not the amount of time we want them to adjust. This will take weeks to months and some will never warm up to you ! Always hiding when someone comes into the room. Turtles will never be like a dog. Will never need a hug. Most type's are very happy being by themselves especially a RES and if it turns out to be male more so. To young to tell now. In time as he gets to know you especially when its feeding time he will get more comfortable. I found this is a good forum take time just to read a lot. Do your homework this will be a new family member. I have found most clerks at pet stores have no idea how to raise a pet. They just spit out what a store wants them to sell. As far as live fish , you will hear pro and cons on keeping them in a tank. Some say only as a once in a while treat. Me yes , my Mickey and Chopsley has made friends with some fish and ate others. Make sure you find a good care sheet to read . If you do be careful a lot for those feeder fish are kept poorly and or already sick. I breed my own fish , healthy! There's a lot to learn for a good habitat. And aquatic turtles will not be cheap to keep. Like me you become a DIY'er. Turtles are great to watch , they will entertain you and live a very long time when healthy. Again they will never need a hug. Water temp and #'s get good test kit. Please don't get them paper test strips. Get a real test kit. Lighting , heat , water and air/basking area , food , lots go into this. Just remember this is like a new kid in your home! Good luck with your new friend. You will find lots of ideas/help in this forum.