Do you have an email I can send it you direct from mine....? Thanks

The pic still isn't working - it's actually quite important that we're able to ID the turt, Spiny softshells are pretty rare over here, however Chinese are not. Your temps sound great for north American turtles, but South American, African and Asian turtles tend to need water temps of around 26C.

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email: somethinggeneric@hotmail.co.uk

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Sent the pic now....thanks

The pic you sent me is of a Chinese softshell, they're a tropical species and have different habitat requirements to that of a RES. I should imagine the turtle has been injured by the RES (hence the "deformed" foot) and an infection is the result of a mixture of incorrect temps, and unclean water. You need to separate the turtles. Set the water temp for the softshell at 26C and add some aquarium salt. Feel free to ask me anything you're unsure of.

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Hi James,
I'm quite upset that my ignorance has caused this. I was informed by the centre that it would be fine for the SoftShell to live with my RES and he was infact with one when I took him.....
I have just come back from petshop with a test kit and salt so will keep you posted. Will he still need to go to the vets or should it clear up quickly once I have sorted the problem?
Thanks

There's no need to get upset, there's a general ignorance about turtle care, obviously the centre wasn't even aware. Follow my advice above, and keep an eye on the situation. It's hard to tell how bad it is from that pic, can you see a wound? They're quite prone to skin fungus as they don't bask, so it could just be external. Sounds like you're doing the right things so far, but long term you'll need to separate. Even if the turts are in the same tank, you should be ok bumping the water temp up to 26C (do it 2C a day). What size is the tank, and do you have an external filter?

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Thanks again James. Had the RES for 13 years and had the odd problem but so far so good - feel I've failed a bit. Nevermind. Onwards and upwards.

Right, the water PH is showing at 8 so that is fine. The tank is 4ft x 1.5ft so quite big. Mischka is 8in long and Nuisance is 3in long. The water temp is 26C I've bought a new heat mat so that's sorted out. I fill the tank with about 3/4in deep water. I have the salt but haven't added it yet until I know the exact amount to put in - can you recommend?
The filter is internal a Fluval 4. Had this set up since I got Mischka....hoping it's ok. Have a UV strip light fitted into the hood but no basking heated area. The light sems to heat it quite well.....
Also I will try keep them in the same tank but I'm going to garden centre now to get some kind of mesh to divide the tank and a new platform for Nuisance as it's on the other side of the tank.
Also I have some Betodine (neat) would this be any good for the wounds???

Hey,
Much happier now. Bought a divider and created a built up area for him. He seems happier but RES is sulking I think!
Thanks for all your help James T.....I'm taking him to the vets tomorrow anyway so will let you know what Johanna says. Funny as when I first got him I took him to the vet (specialist reptile vet) to ensure he was fit and healthy and my vet Johanna even said they should be fine. She has been treating Mischka for 10 years and never said they may fight - I guess we live and learn.
Ta

To be honest I doubt that filter is sufficient, pH is the least of your worries, it's the build up of ammonia and nitrates which cause these things, that's what you need to be testing for. RES are alot hardier than soft shells. As I said before it sounds like you're working on things short term, but you need to separate them, having the water at 26C long term wont be good for the RES, whilst the softshell needs it. Also now especially with that divider you're going need to seriously think about buying a larger tank. Turtles fight "tankmates" quite often, sometimes due to overcrowding and poor water conditions, others when they're just being territorial. The trouble is when one is a 8" hard shelled turtle, and one a 3" soft shell, the damage inflicted upon the smaller can easily be fatal.

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