I have a 10 gallon tank for my turtle. He is about 3 years old and about 4 to 5 inches long. I have been feeding him pellets so far and he seems to be healthy. He also has a resting place but he never goes on it. I am afraid he will get soft shell. What can i do to help him live a healthy happy life?
2006-07-31 04:50:00 · 5 answers · asked by bbstar1122 4 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
1. The right-sized tank. Turtles should have at least 10 gallons of swimming space per inch of turtle- in other words, yous should be in about a 50 gallon tank, tub or kiddie pool. This allows you many improvements- water stays cleaner, turtle gets more exercise, etc.
2. Warmed basking sites- heat some basking areas up to about 90 and offer some full-spectrum sunlight-like lighting, including some Ultra-violet (especially UV-B)
3. Offer some supplimental foods, like small fish, bugs, crickets, worms, and dark leafy greens.
4. Softshell is mostly a result of calcium and other nutrients deficency. UV-B lighting helps, and a good diet is key, but staying in the water is not a huge issue by itself- but you do want to correct that.
5. Consider an outdoor pond, at least part-time.
For more, check out this website:
2006-07-31 18:35:55 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i looked after 5 of them for my boss, i designed a very large purpose built tank with fresh flowing water and a vitamin c fluro lights, i only fed them pellets to and in 6 month they grew from 6" terrapins to 10" inch and started to mate.
2006-07-31 11:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by nikgy71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides Tetra floating pelets; Freeze dried shrimp, and meal worms can both be found at petstores for your Red Ear's eating pleasure. I have had my red ear for 15 years now. Make sure you choose the right size food for your water baby.
*Do not overfeed!*
2006-07-31 12:07:46 · answer #3 · answered by Wednesday 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have had ours for years and they def. need a bigger tank as they grow . Ours love to eat the litttle rosie feeder fish about once a month we get him a dozen . He also enjoys a waterfall which he does lay under , and rocks to crawl out onto.
2006-07-31 12:14:05 · answer #4 · answered by kourtneyskustoms@verizon.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he needs some natural sunlight, as far as feeding, give him some
earthworms and catch some bugs, natural food is better
2006-08-01 05:15:08 · answer #5 · answered by Loollea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋