My red eared slider turtle is molting. Could that be the reason his water is cloudy and really stinks? I have to do a water change every 3 days cause the water stinks the whole house. I've had him for 4 years and this is the first time that i can't keep the water clean. with or without a filter. What's the matter?
2006-10-25 08:48:38 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
The turtle's shell is not peeling, it's the skin on his head and neck. I just talked to pet store and the molting is not causing the smell. He thinks tank is getting cold and i'm still feeding the turtle the same amount and he's eating less, therefore poluting the tank.
2006-10-25 09:19:49 · update #1
I had something similar happen with my Blanding turtle. He had picked up a bit of a skin infection from something and his skin was starting to peal and the water smelled horrible.
Do a clean water change every day for a couple of weeks and see it is clears up. Also put some "Zoomed reptile safe" (below) in the water, it may kill whatever bacteria is in there and allow the turtle to be more comfortable.
2006-10-25 09:03:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you the same person who posted about the turtle tank stinking? Please check my reply to that post; I covered what you need to do to clean up the tank.
Turtles do not molt. If his skin is peeling off, he has a medical problem which needs to be seen by a vet immediately. From what you've said about the water conditions in his tank, it is very likely that he has some type of skin infection. This can kill him if it is not treated.
2006-10-25 18:27:09 · answer #2 · answered by Newton K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Molting? As in losing the shell scales? My turtle does this in small amounts. We bought her a shell conditioner which helps to keep the shell in good condition. You could call a vet who knows a thing or two about turtles. Ask them why the change in the cage habitat. Sorry I am not more help.
2006-10-25 15:59:18 · answer #3 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds quite serious. There is a condition called shell rot where a fungus gets into the shell and causes it to disintegrate and flake away. This is unbearably painful for your turtle. You need to see a vet and get treatment for him straight away. It sounds like there are some pretty bad bacteria inhabiting your set-up. You need to strip the whole thing down and start again with it all clean.
2006-10-25 16:03:41 · answer #4 · answered by stienbabe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turtles shed like a human peeling from a sunburn, and this is normal for them.
Keeping the water clean is a big job- but it sounds like there may be some other glitches in the basic cares.
Try thes sites for more ideas:
- http://www.redearslider.com
= http://www.austinsturtlepage.com
2006-10-26 01:08:01 · answer #5 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is very BAD. take it to a vet IMMEADITLY. turtles dont molt. sounds like it has an infection.
2006-10-25 20:14:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a pet store they'll know
2006-10-25 16:00:57 · answer #7 · answered by Donna P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its shedding
2006-10-25 19:23:42 · answer #8 · answered by animalhouser55 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋