Why does my red eared slider have algae or something growing on his shell? It also grows on his rock, but not as bad. It doesn't grow anywhere else but on his shell and the rock.
We have a good filter, clean his tank, his rock, use a water conditoner, and even scrub his shell, but it grows right back.
Sometimes my cat will get on top of his tank and lay there for the warmth, could this be why? Would cat fur affect a turtle?
Please help. I feel bad for my poor turtle.
Heres a picture, so you can see what I'm talking about.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p215/trotsky990/IMG_0378.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p215/trotsky990/IMG_0375.jpg
2007-03-25 14:03:50 · 9 answers · asked by Shell 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
The turtle tank in not near a window. And I change from a white bulb during the day to a red bulb at night. (they are for tanks...not just regular light bulbs!)
Is that ok?
2007-03-25 16:01:45 · update #1
This is a normal occurence in aquatic turtles.Your cat is in no way contributing to this problem. You are right to remove it by scrubbing his shell, build ups of algae can eat little holes into shell. You have a couple of options, you can purchase fish that are algae eaters, or purchase snails,they will do the same. Snails will have to replaced from time to time because your turtle will eat them.
In response to the comment made by onalaska, all aquatic turtles carry salmonella, it is part of thier digestive systems.This is not a problem if you wash your hands before and after handling your turtles, which you should be doing anyway to protect yourself and your pet.
2007-03-25 15:28:56 · answer #1 · answered by Darla G 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would assume that the algea is growing because of the lights in the tank, just wash it off of him. Also, how often are you changing the water, it should be changed (1/2 the water) once a week.
I also noticed that you said you use a white bulb during the day and a red one at night? The red lights do not do anything benificial for the turtle, I would stop using it(the fact that a light is on all the time is probably contributing to the algea). Also a concern I have is that you stated that you have a white light during the day, meaning only one. Is this a basking light, one that emits heat? or a UVA/UVB light? It is essential that a turtle has a UVA/UVB light and a basking lamp on during the day. A turtle needs to be able to get out of the water and dry off completly(basking light) and needs the have a UVA/UVB light for vitamin D creation. The UVA/UVB does not emit heat.
2007-03-31 19:58:56 · answer #2 · answered by Prodigy556 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Looked at the pics. Very colorful and very nice shell pattern. Definitley not a red eared slider. Probably a chicken turtle. Either way, care for it as if it was a slider. Make sure to give it a basking lamp (heat lamp) and a UVB fluorescent bulb. Also a heater for the water too...
2016-03-29 05:28:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a type of algea, it needs a hard rough serface like a rock or shell to grow, filtration won't help it much just keep scrubing his shell, but don't worry, it won't hurt it, algea grows on wild turtles all the time. It has nothing to do with your cat, light is the biggest factor, more light more algea, but your turtle needs the light so don't change the lighting, just clean his shell once in awhile and he will be fine.
2007-03-25 14:12:04 · answer #4 · answered by Han Solo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should be fine, I would still clean it off every once in a while. It is natural for the algea to grow on them. It grows on my turtles, but one of them eats it off the other ones. The cat shouldn`t be having an affect.
2007-03-26 01:57:37 · answer #5 · answered by scout5039 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a type of fungus. Do a complete water change (and get that rock out of there!). Algae should NOT be growing on your turtle.
2007-03-25 19:38:43 · answer #6 · answered by Helen Scott 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The algae is a healthy growth and common in many aquariums. If you find it annoying, you can use an aquarium algaecide to kill it.. just follow the package directions. CAUTION ! The algaecide will also kill any live plants that are in the aquarium as well as the algae.
2007-03-25 16:38:36 · answer #7 · answered by hotsnakes2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
red eared sliders are the worst kind of turtles to have. they carry some sort of bacteria that makes the algae grow as fast as it does. my mom used to sell them in her gift shop in a tourist city and the police got on her case and told her she could no longer sell them because they have been known to spread bacteria and salmonella.
2007-03-25 14:12:27 · answer #8 · answered by onalaska_speedracer04 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it's probably algae. If it is you should wash it off every time you see it on it.
2007-03-31 07:35:03 · answer #9 · answered by Deb F 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋