Feeding and Nutrition :: Aggresive turtle when there is food?

[Smssms01]

Hello again! I just have another quick question:

I take my hatchlings out of their main tank to feed them. While in their feeding tub, I saw one of them "nipping" at the other's head. This never occurs in the main tank (that I've seen). Should I feed them separately?

Thanks!

[missibsu]

It is a somewhat common occurance to become aggressive when there is food. I would feed them separately. I feed in the main tank, and each of my turts knows which corner is which, they each get fed in their respective corner. I do still have to keep a close eye on them.

If the situation worsens, and nothing is done, it could lead to aggression at other times....to the point of permanent separation.

[GPRenegade]

It would be a good idea to feed them seperately, or at least in smaller groups... Depending on how many turtles you have it wouldnt be hard for body parts to look like food in a feeding frenzy. (My finger is targeted occasionally and it looks nothing like a pellet...)

[turboturtle8]

My turtles have the same problem when its feeding time they bite at each others legs and heads and even tails.My one turtles a girl and very non agressive and never starts the fight but my boy turtle Jack will do anything for food.He evens claws and scratches the littler one.What i do to prevent fighting is I get the food and try to get Jack to follow me to the other side of the tank while i distract him I feed the other.But make sure the other one gets food

[turboturtle8]

Also biting rarely is just the way they play but if they fight daily over food then you might need to sepate them

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

If I were you, I'd try feeding them at different times, seperated. Than, after they're used to these times, feed them each at their usual times. Hopefully, they'll stop fighting and eat their own food at their own times. Good luck with my idea if you try it!

[grey goose]

When I feed my three guys in the tank, there is a lot of pushing and shoving and splashing, but I never saw them bite. Unless I count the one time Beaker grabbed a pellet right out of Gomie's mouth!