Baby Musk being un-uswell.

[Dogmatix]

Hey all.

I've got 4 baby Common Musk turtles for Chrimbo, well, before Chrimbo.
3 are doing fine, but one seems to be totally different to the others.

Hes smaller, noticabley now, seems to sit on the rock in his shell, backing all the time, I have seen him eat, but unsure how much.

I picke dhim up yesterday, he feels very soft, and little relutant to "get away".

Placed him back on the rock, and he never moved.. totally unaware sort of look/feeling.

He just doesn't seem as brisk and ative as the others...


Feeding wise, has been varied, to start with it was bloodworm, but solw I've been adding new foods for them to have a change...

Mealworms, the add small waxworm, dried cricket, "Complete turtle food", some wheatgrem.

I also add some "Turtle Vit" into the water too, I also have had the "turtle" blocks in the water to make sure the water is how its meant to be.

But like I said, the other 3 are fine, nice and active, and aware of whats happing around them.

They are in a weeedy envioment, with 2-3 places on the surface to get out and do what ever.

Filters is an over-kill Eheim Aquaball, which is cleaned out twice weekly, water temp around the 25degrees C mark, air temp 30-ish...

What can I do to help the poor little fella?
I've been thinking about getting another tank and separating him, but then, I'd treat him no different to the others... unless theres something wrong with him...

Whats your verdics?

Cheers all

[Geomyda]

From your description, it does not sound too good. The other three are perky and feeding well?
From your description, the set up sounds OK and a lot of pond plants are favoured as it provides lots of cover etc for the Turtles.
I do not think that it is anything that you have done or in truth can alter. maybe, it is just a weak hatchling which is not destined to thrive. Unfortunately, this does happen.
Sorry to sound pessimistic but not sure that you can really do anything else?

[Graham]

I think I'd agree with that, from the sound of it I don't think you're doing anything wrong, so there's nothing really that you could do differently.

The only thing I can think of is that you seperate him from the others, just in case he has some sort of illness, but continue to treat him the same otherwise.

Really young hatchling Musks do have a reputation for being rather fragile, as Paul says this may just be a particularly weak one.

[Dogmatix]

Its a shame if I lose it, but I guess its how life it is I 'spose.

Yeh the others are fine, growing, eatting, making mess lol.

All of them around about an inch long (shell) the other three if handled, just want to get away, and as soon as you put them back on the rock, they break the land speed record for getting into the water again!

But this other little one, seems to get disoraentated and just doesn't know what to do, other than sit there and hope fir the best.

I spose one way of helping it, is maybe feed it separte? to make sure its eatting enough, as all four dive for the food at the same time.

[Geomyda]

If it is eating, definately keep it seperate and see if you can build it up!
Garden earth (Lob) worms cut up will offer a good diet and the minerals in their gut might build up the turtle, and get it through a difficult start?
Good luck

[Tiliqua]

I have a few hatchling musks myself at the moment and Geomyda and Graham give good advice! I would add that they can be quite bully-ish sometimes, and if one is on the receiving end, it can get stressed.

I would seperate it, and put it in an inch and a half of water in a small plastic tray/ice cream tub or similar, with a few sprigs of plants and a couple of river pebbles. Preferably some duckweed or similar for a bit of extra cover. Keep it warm but not too warm, maybe 23 celsius. The food you are offering is absolutely fine. Chopped mealworms mixed with supplments, bloodworm, tiny pieces of fish etc. Place the food in front of it, and leave it to eat in peace. I have raised them from maybe 1.5cm like this. You can increase enclosure size, water depth and introduce a basking light/area later, but see if you can get it feeding for a few weeks first.

Hope this helps,
Mark.

[Graham]

When I first got my smallest one she was mad for small aquatic snails, I used to put quite a few in her tank at a time and she would actively hunt them down and eat them. From crunchy snails to small pellets isn't such a big step and I had her eating hatchling pellets after a short while, after that she'd eat pretty much anything I gave her.

[ingisim]

Nothing to add to the great advice posted, but good luck with the little one.

[SisterMoonbeam]

Aww poor little thing. Does sound like odd behaviour. Good luck with him/her

[Dogmatix]

Well, I'll see if I can afford a new setup then to separate it. Might have to wait

For now, I'll just have to see how it is. Last night it was happily fighting a mealworm, so its not tooo bad.

I'll get some worms from the Fishing Shop, and make up a turtle mix of fresh foods, with some added suppliment, and see how it goes.

With a bit of luck, I can save him/her