Fly River Turtle Shell Fungus

[Dbooker]

Hi

My FRT has started to get Fungus on his shell? Can someone tell me what treatment to use? and what causes it?

Thanks

[FishFreak95]

When My soft shell turtle got some fungus I rubbed the fingus off thith by finger then added 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium salt. He turned out fine.
You should answer these questions so we can help you more:

1. What is the size of your tank?

2. What are your water parameters? State the brand of test kit used.

3. Is your aquarium set up freshwater or brackish water?

4. How long the aquarium has been set up?

5. What fish/turtles do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them?

6. Were the fish(turtle) placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)?

7. What temperature is the tank water currently?

8. Are there live plants in the aquarium?

9. What filter are you using? State brand, maintenance routine and power capacity.

10. Any other equipment used (aside from heater and filter which are two very important components of the tank)?

11. Does your aquarium receive natural sunlight at any given part of the day? What is your lighting schedule (assuming you do not rely on sunlight for our viewing pleasure)?

12. When did you perform your last water change and how much water was changed? How often do you change your water? Do you vacuum the substrate?

13. What foods do you provide your turtle? What is the feeding schedule?

14. What unusual signs have you observed in your fish?

15. Have you treated your turtle ahead of diagnosis? If so, what treatments did you use? State your reasons for planning ahead of proper diagnosis.

[Dbooker]

here we go.....

1. 5' x 2' 1 1/2' 450Ltrs
2. 6.8PH, ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0.3
3. Freshwater
4. 3 Years
5. I have a Chili Red Aro about 12-14", a Tigrinus at 10", A fire eel at 24", 5 clown loaches at 4-5" and a fly river turtle at 10" head to tail, 8" dia Shell.
6. Yes, for 1 week
7. 25.8oC
8. No
9. 2 x Rena XP3's Maintained every month
10. Nan Light for Aro.
11. Yes, Nan light used in the evening for about 3 Hours
12. once a week, about 40 Ltrs
13. He eating Fruit, mussell, River shrimp.
14. None.
15. No.

[BraveheartCalif]

on a seperate note. do u have a uv light for the frt? if not u need one.

[Dbooker]

is that not what a nan light is?

[Toxic Fish 9999]

well one a week just takw a towel and rub vere soflty on his shell but make sure u rub so get gets it of make suer the towel is wet

[Riv D]

From what I've read on FRTs
Your salinity should be at least 1.005
And your PH is too low, it should be at least 7.8
That's probably why he has Fungus.
As for the lighting, don't know if a Nan Light gives off the proper UV for a reptile.
On other threads in this forum, people debate over the use of lighting for FRts, but in my opinion, ALL diurnal reptiles should have unfiltered UV at some point during the day.

[Dbooker]

ive read that they can live in Ph of 6 - 8? i have a Asian aro which is why its low. I think a nan light does give off proper UV as it tans my aro it acts as natural sunlight. i dont have it on in the day for obvious reasons only for a few hours in the evening.

im always wary of adding aquarium salt to my tank, are they any fish that dont react well to it?

Thanks

[Riv D]

Both of these links say PH 8-8.3
http://www.carettochelys.com/carettochelys/water.htm
http://www.reptilia.net/articulos_ing/033.pdf

I think you need to decide...
Do you want an Asian arow or a FRT?
Not all creatures are compatible and you should do what's in the animal's best interest.

[elindra]

Well, I have never added salt for my FRTs before and they never caught fungus before. If you really don't want to add salt to your tank, catch the FRT out, rub off the fungus with a soft cloth and give it a salt bath. It should recover very quickly

[Dbooker]

What type of salt? aquarium? for how long?

thanks for the help