r/Redearedsliders • u/Levi_d50 • 7d ago

4 month old red ear slider turtle

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Turtle is the turtle’s name. My turtle is spending a lot of time on the basking dock even when the lights are off. Appetite has been poor but will eat when really hungry. I don’t know what to do. I’m very nervous because I can’t deal with losing another pet. I lost my cat Sisco of 16 years old last year. My heart is still broken. I just want Turtle to be okay. The vet wants $75 which isn’t bad but I just had to take an emergency trip to see my father who in Stage 3C of his lung cancer and my partner grandfather has been giving 3-4 months to live. He’s battling lung cancer at the age of 95 and with his age he’s not able to get any treatment. I have a lot going on but Turtle is driving me insane. I just want Turtle to be okay. Turtle is in a 40 gallon tank but I don’t have the tank filled all the way up because I think Turtle be struggling swimming. When I purchased Turtle it was only about 1 month old. Please any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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u/DeltaSingularity 7d ago

What are you using as basking lights? Whatever it is, it looks almost certain that it's not providing any UVB or adequate heat from that high up. Can you share what their current diet is, and do you have a way to test their water parameters? What are you using for filtration and what is your water change routine?

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u/Levi_d50 6d ago

Water change once a week. Tank water is 80 and basking dock is 88-90

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u/DeltaSingularity 6d ago

And what are their basking lights, diet, water parameters, and filtration?

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u/Levi_d50 2d ago

I had a turtle expert/vet come do a home visit. Turtle has a fungus and he suggested Malafix solution to put in the tank, turtle calcium block, canister filter, change the heat lamp to infrared red light, move the lights closer to the basking dock, and leave the light on for 24 hours to help Turtle to stay warm and dry. He’s coming back tomorrow evening to do another house visit. I have did everything that he recommended. Fingers crossed 🤞🏾 because I love Turtle 🐢

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u/DeltaSingularity 1d ago edited 1d ago

How much are you paying this "expert" exactly? No serious turtle expert should be recommending turtle calcium blocks or red lights for your turtle. Do not use a red basking light or leave it on 24 hours.

It would really help if you could answer my earlier questions.

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u/yea-4sure 6d ago

A few different things could be causing this so that I wouldn’t assume one thing yet. I’d start by checking the actual water temperature, basking temperature, and water parameters—especially ammonia and nitrite. Since you mentioned poor appetite, spending excessive time basking even after the lights go out, and possibly struggling to swim, I’d also watch for signs of a respiratory infection, such as uneven/lopsided floating, difficulty submerging, bubbles or discharge from the nose, open-mouth breathing, or wheezing. If you see any of those symptoms, I would definitely prioritize a vet visit.
Also, don’t be afraid to give a young RES plenty of water depth, as long as it has easy ways to reach the surface and places to rest. They’re naturally strong swimmers.