I have a baby red eared slider that will only eat shrimp. Nothing else. What do I do?

Question

We purchased him unknowingly at a store in Myrtle Beach. However, we did have a turtle before that passed away. When we got this turtle we were given small pellets to feed him. he would not eat any of them. So when we got home we set the new turtle up in the old tank, with proper lighting and basking area. Now he's eating, but only small shrimp. he still refuses pellets. That cant be healthy to only eat shrimp. What should I do to help him?

Answer 1

actually....baby red eared sliders are carnivorous...it is normal for them to only eat shrimp &/or other meat...it is actually good that he is eating...minnows are also recommended for baby turtles...until they get older they will want meat....once they get past that they will eat fruits & vegetables & what not...

Answer 2

Mine loves small feeder goldfish.  You didn't say how big yours is. I have had mine for about 6 years.  I just put a few in his swimming area.  He chases them down and gobbles them up

Answer 3

have you tried moving prey?

Baby sliders usually go for movement in the water so earthworms (not out of your compost bin), crickets, spiders, waxworms, small fich are usually good to entice them to feed.  Pink mice (dead) or  freshwater fish chopped up such as trout is good for a change.

Pellets should only be used as part of a complete diet anyway and should never be relied upon entirely.

Answer 4

feed him shrimp  

Answer 5

catch some guppies

Answer 6

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...

They eat goldfish and guppies and minnows and all leafy greens. Just drop some feeders in his tank and he will swim for them and catch them an eat and he'll get his needed exercise in his tank by swimming.After swimming and eating he'll proably bask up to 10 hrs a day.

Sliders, Cooters , painted ,map and yellow bellied are require the same care and feeding. I have two that are 36 yrs old!! Plus an 8 and 5 yr old.

I have had them in a 150gal pond for about 6 yrs now..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...