How to care for Aquatic turtles: 

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1- Allocation of a large turtle aquarium: Customize a large glass basin that fits the number of turtles and size, the larger the size of the basin the better. The aquarium should have a place for rocks, and another place for water so that turtles can get out of the water and dry up. At least 29 gallons in size, at least 4 feet long, 18 inches wide and 18 inches tall.

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2- Place the water heater: The breeder should be careful about putting a water heater because small turtles cannot regulate their body’s temperature. Most small turtles need a temperature of 24 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Consider checking the water temperature occasionally using a thermometer.

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3- Water Filter: Use a water filter to avoid changing the water more than once during the day and the filter will help to purify the water from impurities and small bacteria that may cause diseases for turtles.

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4- Plants in the basin: It also has many benefits, including cleaning the aquarium from bacteria, carbon dioxide and various pollutants that lead to the growth of unwanted algae.

Make sure the water is not too deep.

 

 

‏Turtles Diet:

‏ A turtle’s diet should be varied to encourage turtles to eat and ensure their health is in order to live long live.

 

‏ The food is placed in water as water turtles do not eat their food unless it is submerged in water.  If you do not want the aquarium water to get dirty with the leftovers, you can move the turtle to a small bowl filled with water and place the food in it.

 

Turtle food consists of:

 

‏ 1- Protein (the amount of protein is the size of the turtle's head):

‏ Boiled chicken, tuna, boiled egg whites, worms of all kinds, beetles, locusts

 

‏ 2- Fibers (the amount of fibers are the size of the shell):

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     -Vegetables, all kinds of vegetables except spinach,

      If the turtle does not accept vegetables, then mix it with their protein. You can also stop feeding them pellets                  temporarily. Make sure to remove any vegetables that have not been eaten within four hours and replace them              with fresh ones.

     -Fruits - make sure to remove seeds - (fruits are high in sugar, they can be fed very little amount as a sort of                       reward)

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‏ 3- Commercial pellets (head size)

‏ Should be fed three times a week and not relied solely on as a major food source, try to choose a high-quality variety

 

‏ 4- Treats 

‏ Once a week in little amounts. 

‏ Squid, shrimp, fruit

 

 

‏ The amount of food, the number of meals, and nutritional needs depend on the age of the turtle. Young turtle needs the largest amount of food and they need less food as they get older.

 

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‏ Adult turtles: (2 years and above) Shell size is 5 inches to 14 inches, larger than the palm of the hand.

‏ Should be fed three times a week

‏ Most of its diet consists of fiber and is fed protein twice a week (the amount of protein is gradually reduced to once a week as they age)

 

‏ Juvenile Turtles: (6 months to 2 years) Shell size is 4 inches, stopped growing but still need energy and do not need as much food as small turtles

‏ It is fed four times a week

‏ Its diet consists of 50% protein and 50% fiber three times a week.

 

 

‏ Baby Turtles (hatchlings): 6 months and under shell size is two inches to three inches

 

‏ They’re in the growth stage and need a high energy food source. They require the most amount of protein and food 

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Should be fed every day two or three times a day. Diet consists of 50% protein and 50% fiber

‏ Preferably feed all kinds of food per day

‏ For example, morning: protein back: evening fiber: commercial eating

 

‏ The turtle also needs to add calcium powder (squid bones) to the aquarium once a week to strengthen their shell and nails, when the turtle does not accept the powder is crushed and mixed with eating

 

Problems and diseases may be expos to your turtle:

 

    Obesity

 Symptoms: a significant increase in weight, the turtle moves slowly and all the time wants to sleep.

 Causes: non-adherence to the diet, increase the amount of food per meal, put the turtle in a small area where it does not have enough space for movement.

 Cure: make a diet for the turtle, providing ample space for the turtle to move.

 

 Anorexia

 Symptoms: turtle abstain from food

 Causes: The water temperature is too low or an eye infection where the turtle cannot see food.

 Treatment: Choose an appropriate temperature ranging between (24-30) and if the cause of inflammation, then you should visit the vet.

 

 Softshell

 Causes: lack of vitamin "D3" due to lack of sun exposure, lack of calcium.

 Treatment: Increase calcium sources of food such as squid or supplement, increase sun exposure or use UVB (instead of sunlight).

 

 Puffiness of the eyelid

 Symptoms: Puffiness of the eyelid accompanying flake and the appearance of spots in the skin surrounding the eye.

 Causes: Vietnamese deficiency

 Treatment: Feed the turtle Foods rich in vitamin "A" such as fish and "A1" such as fish liver, and you should to visit the vet to make sure the safety of the turtle.

 

 Respiratory system diseases:

 Symptoms: blockage of the nose or runoff, gasp with open mouth, the emergence of bubbles at the nose if the turtle water, mucous fluid on the nose and mouth, also issued a sound similar to the sound of snoring.

 Causes: Not suitable temperature (too cold or too hot), the turtle doesn’t dry after bathing knowing that the turtle is bathed once a week in summer and in winter once a month.

 Treatment: Choose an appropriate temperature ranging between (24-30), dry it well after bathing, and you should to visit the vet to make sure the safety of the turtle.

 

 Ear infections:

 Symptoms: markedly swollen sides of the face with an abscess

 Causes: high temperature, low humidity in the ambient atmosphere.

 Treatment: Surgical intervention should be done by the veterinarian to remove bloating

 

Resources : 
http://www.evcindex.com/

Turtleholic.com

The turtle (YouTube channel)

some information are from turtle breeding experts

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