Feeding and Nutrition :: Not Eating Pellets

[dagny24]

Hi All,

I know this has been discussed extensively here but please bear with me... I am a nervous new mom.

I have an RES hatchling. He is in a large Rubbermaid bin (water is changed everyday) - temp and lighting is good. I am in So. Florida so he even gets to go outside for some real UVBs (under close supervision of course). He seems happy and healthy except he refuses to eat any pellets. I've tried Reptomin pellets and also an Animal Planet brand. I tried soaking them in tuna water and still nothing. (he does go after any remaining tuna water however).

He does pick at carrots (I don't think he is eating the romaine yet). We've had him about 3 weeks now... he wasn't eating anything at first so I fed him some whole krill to encourage eating - which he still loves and will eat a ton of if I let him. I've tried not to feed him the krill too often though at this point since it should only be an occasional treat.

Should I just use "tough love" and keep the krill from him completely and keep feeding the veggies and pellets until he gets hungry enough to eat them?? Or do I just need to keep searching for a pellet brand that he likes?

The only other issue I see with him is shedding... not sure if it's from the krill (too much protein?) or if it's normal to shed since he's young.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[wetchikn]

I would try the tough love method and also research the habitat section. welcome to the world of RES!!! I think you will find it extremely enjoyable and at times nerve wracking.

[cam722]

I have a question along with some advice. Why do you change your water daily? Do you have a filter?

I'd stop feeding him the krill and just offer the veggies and the pellets. Krill should be for a treat only because they have little nutritional value other than protien and as I'm sure you know too much protien causes fast growth and pyramiding and other health issues.

As for the shedding, it is normal but if he/she is growing fast because of too much protien, cutting back on that should help.

[dagny24]

Many thanks for the replies... I'll try some tough love with him and not let him have any krill for a while!

No I don't have a filter which is why I am changing the water daily... I was going to wait until I got a "real" tank to get one ~ although the bin I have him in is probably much bigger than any tank I'd get right now.

And honestly I really don't mind cleaning the water everyday...

Is it a big problem to not have a filter as long as I am cleaning the water every day or so?

Many thanks!

[cam722]

No it's not a problem as far as the turtle is concerned.. just lots of work for you

You can use filters on rubbermaid containers though and when you'd get a tank you could always switch it to there. Just a suggestion

Do you have well water or city water?

[dagny24]

I may eventually take your advice and get a filter for the rubbermaid container!

I have city water but do use a water conditioner... are there over the counter water tests available and do you recommend I test it?

Thanks again.

[missibsu]

I test mine occassionally. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals has a pretty good reputation with the people on these boards. I really don't remember what brand I was using. I need to get new and it's probably what I will go with.

[dagny24]

Hi all, wanted to thank you for the replies on the "tough love" feeding and give an update... Octavian is now eating his reptomin pellets and loves them - he eats them as soon as I put them in the tank. He also *loves* lettuce. He is quite the eater now so I am putting him on a strict feeding schedule. He is now at 9 grams/shell length about 1 5/8 inches.

I have a question about cuttlebone though - I put a very small piece in his tank everyday or so - he seems to eat it all. Is it possible for them to have too much calcium? Or do they naturally eat as much as they need?

Many thanks ~ this site has been a lifesaver to this new RES owner!

[missibsu]

I usually throw in several chunks and let mine eat what they want. It usually lasts 3-4 days, up to a week, depending on how much they eat. I wouldn't worry about too much.