I feel like I've tried everything and I'm not sure what else to do

flyingpenguin

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I posted a few weeks ago about my baby (around 6-7 month old) Mississippi Map not wanting to eat. I ended up taking him to the vet who said he didn't show any signs of respiratory illness, protein deficiency, or vitamin deficiency. He also said his shell and skin looked good (other than the chip in his shell that he's had since he hatched/I got him). The vet said he may just be being picky or he may be stressed and want another place out of water other than his basking area.
I built up another area on the other side of the tank and put a rock on top so he could be out of water, but not basking. I thought it was working because after a couple days he seemed back to his normal self and was eating. But that only lasted a few days and now he's back to not eating again. I can wiggle food in front of his face and he just stares at me. I drop it in the tank, leave, and come back, and it's still floating in the water. He also seems like he's staying on his basking rock more than he used to? He was even on the rock but with his head partially in the water when I went to turn on the lights this morning, which I though was odd. (I attached a picture. The thing on the rock in the picture isn't normally there, I was taking the temperature to double check it.)
The other Map I have is acting 100% fine and normal. Eating perfectly fine, swimming, basking on the rock with him, etc.) They are the same age, size, and get along fine. They even sit on top of each other from time to time lol.

36 gallon tank
12-13 plants, a log, and a cave
Water temp: 78
Air temp: 75-76
Basking area temp: around 85
Ammonia level: 0
PH level: between 7.5-8.0 (the color is too close to tell on the tab)
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
I did a partial water change about a week ago.
Feeding: baby Reptomin formula, dried shrimp, dried worms (sometimes dipped in tuna water), and romaine lettuce.
 

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Pastel Tortie

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What's the size difference between your map turtles? Although aquatic turtles can sometimes bend the rules about not keeping tortoises/turtles in pairs, it doesn't always work. If the little one is getting bullied, that's more than enough to put the turtle off its food.

At the very least, I would probably feed the little one in a small, separate container outside of the tank where the little one can't even glimpse the other turtle. See if the turtle settles down enough to eat, and if he only eats a little bit, try to make sure it's a good commercial diet pellet (high nutrition).

You may end up needing to separate the two turtles, at least for a while. Maybe you can give them a trial separation to see if the little one is more comfortable that way.
 

flyingpenguin

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What's the size difference between your map turtles? Although aquatic turtles can sometimes bend the rules about not keeping tortoises/turtles in pairs, it doesn't always work. If the little one is getting bullied, that's more than enough to put the turtle off its food.

At the very least, I would probably feed the little one in a small, separate container outside of the tank where the little one can't even glimpse the other turtle. See if the turtle settles down enough to eat, and if he only eats a little bit, try to make sure it's a good commercial diet pellet (high nutrition).

You may end up needing to separate the two turtles, at least for a while. Maybe you can give them a trial separation to see if the little one is more comfortable that way.

Thank you for answering! They're actually both the same size, around 3.5 inches. I've actually tried putting each of them in 2 different bowls to try to feed them outside their tank, but neither of them would ever eat. I could definitely try setting up a tank to separate them for awhile. I'm willing to try anything at this point. I tried to get a picture of them together, but this was the best I could do.
 

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Pastel Tortie

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Thank you for answering! They're actually both the same size, around 3.5 inches. I've actually tried putting each of them in 2 different bowls to try to feed them outside their tank, but neither of them would ever eat. I could definitely try setting up a tank to separate them for awhile. I'm willing to try anything at this point. I tried to get a picture of them together, but this was the best I could do.
If they're both not eating... Hrmm...

@Markw84
 

Toddrickfl1

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In my minimal experience with sick turtles I can say they do tend to bask more often and sleep a lot while basking.

@mark1 may be able to give you some advice.
 

Maggie3fan

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Aquatic turtles are NOT as solitary as tortoises are. They are relatively social, and happy animals. I would start feeding them what they would eat in the wild. Night crawlers, meal worms, crickets, spiders, moths, flies. They prefer live food. You might supplement with Reptomin floating sticks, and lettuce. My water is 75 degrees and the basking platform is 95 degrees
100_3460.JPG
 

Markw84

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A couple things I would do:

Check the lights. From the pictures its hard to tell, but it looks too dark. Turtles and especially maps, bask in bright sunlight. Most people under-light a tank. Daylight is quite bright. A tank with a simple hood light and basking light is too dark.

Your basking area needs to be warmer. I like it in the 95° range like Maggie.

Feed live foods to stimulate feeding. Wiggling worms are best.
 

flyingpenguin

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A couple things I would do:

Check the lights. From the pictures its hard to tell, but it looks too dark. Turtles and especially maps, bask in bright sunlight. Most people under-light a tank. Daylight is quite bright. A tank with a simple hood light and basking light is too dark.

Your basking area needs to be warmer. I like it in the 95° range like Maggie.

Feed live foods to stimulate feeding. Wiggling worms are best.

The room they're in stays fairly dark, would getting a standing lamp for more room light be beneficial?
I will get some live worms and try them today. Would you recommend moving the heat lamp closer to the basking platform or buying a higher wattage bulb? It's around 10" away right now with a 50 watt bulb.
 

Blackdog1714

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The room they're in stays fairly dark, would getting a standing lamp for more room light be beneficial?
I will get some live worms and try them today. Would you recommend moving the heat lamp closer to the basking platform or buying a higher wattage bulb? It's around 10" away right now with a 50 watt bulb.
A laser temperature gun would do best to determine the temps you are trying to achieve.
1597163035022.png
 

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