baby RES can't swim? what should i do?

Question

i have 2 new baby RES cause i don't want my old one feel lonely.
just bought them today. put them on the rock, they crawl, they fall in to the water, they swim (floating), they try to catch some air, they can't, they look panic, so i pull them out of the water and put them on the rock again.. look like they aren't good swimmer. my aquarium 10 cm depth then i reduce to 3 cm (and they still can't do it).

the old one baby RES in the aquarium seems unhappy about what i did cause she loves to dive and stay on the bottom of the aquarium. she also can't get along with the new ones. she always in the water and the new babies always on the basking area (now i have to check them all the time cause i'm worry they'll drown)

i remember the baby RES habitat in the petstore only fill the water about 1 cm depth, maybe that's why the new ones can't swim.

so, what should i do?

Answer 1

No. Baby RESs should be able to swim, and if they can't there is something very wrong. Sadly, many pet stores don't know how to care for them properly and forget to give them calcium supplements and UVA/UVB lighting which sends them down the path of metabolic bone disease. You'll need to take them to a vet to see what they problem is, and I know it's a hassle to take such a small thing to the vet, but it really is the best thing if you want to catch something early. Good luck with your new babies!

P.S. Check out my site on RES care! www.geocities.com/radiofemme/turtles

Answer 2

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medinjuries.htm#not%20swiming has bits in it about not swimming and swimming crooked. Check these articles out, and look at the care sheets here.

I hate to say it but they sound quite ill, and it will take some work to get them better- starting with making sure it is a good habitat for them.