Fly River Turtle Treatment Help

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Aldebaran

Aldebaran

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 21, 2025
16
10
3
44
Canada
Have you tested your water?
Yes
If yes, what is your ammonia?
0 - .50
If yes, what is your nitrate?
50 - 100
If I did not test my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
Do you do water changes?
Yes
What percentage of water do you change?
71-80%
If I do not change my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
Good day,

I have a FRT that has developed what looks to be fungal growths and probably something bacterial as well. Very long story short, he was moved to a much smaller tank because of the damn stingray who sunctioned the seal out of her tank for the second time, so the ray went to the turtle tank and the turtle went into a 'holding' tank. Yes, the water quality is bad because the tank is small.
Water changes done daily are not enough it seems. So, in the mean time, what can I do? I have never put him in salt before, the water where I live is quite hard, I have purchased a much larger hold tank for him until I can repair the ray tank AGAIN and put him back in his home. I just have to build a stand bla, bla bla....I do not want him to get sick. Any suggestions are most appreciated to keep him healthy and stave off worsening of his condition until he is moved. If I add salt, how much per US gallon? Many many thanks.
 
I know absolutely nothing about turtles but try to post some pictures of what you're seeing so another member might be able to offer some advice. Obviously you're aware of the water conditions so pristine water moving forward will certainly help.
 
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HUKIT said:
I know absolutely nothing about turtles but try to post some pictures of what you're seeing so another member might be able to offer some advice. Obviously you're aware of the water conditions so pristine water moving forward will certainly help.
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Thank you for your reply, even though you don't know, I appreciate your support. It looked like fluffy white stuff on his underside. The night I posted I added salt to his tank. The next day the growths looked less vigorous and sort of 'wilted'. I have since cleaned his underside with a soft toothbrush and applied 2.5% iodine. I have used iodine on seahorses before so I imagined/hoped my boy would be okay.

However, I have added to the problem it seems, after I put him back into his tank he was buoyant, he did not like that and it completely stressed us out. He spent about 20 minutes on his back during treatment. Thanks again
 
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It’s amazing how much stress these critters can cause while we are keeping them to provide happiness they can occasionally cause the opposite. I do have a friend with one and I just texted him asking about his water parameters or other tips, he said they do much better with a higher PH. Our water here in the Chicagoland suburbs runs about 8.2-8.4 with a TDS around 300 which he said was ideal conditions. When he lived further south the city water was softer around 7.4 with a tds of 80 so he was using crushed coral to help buffer and raise his PH. He did mention their predeliction to fungal and bacterial infections when kept in softer water. So that might be something to look into. Again, I wish I could help more but certainly hoping he’ll pull through.

I have always wanted one but my largest display tanks are only 240’s.
 
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HUKIT said:
It’s amazing how much stress these critters can cause while we are keeping them to provide happiness they can occasionally cause the opposite. I do have a friend with one and I just texted him asking about his water parameters or other tips, he said they do much better with a higher PH. Our water here in the Chicagoland suburbs runs about 8.2-8.4 with a TDS around 300 which he said was ideal conditions. When he lived further south the city water was softer around 7.4 with a tds of 80 so he was using crushed coral to help buffer and raise his PH. He did mention their predeliction to fungal and bacterial infections when kept in softer water. So that might be something to look into. Again, I wish I could help more but certainly hoping he’ll pull through.

I have always wanted one but my largest display tanks are only 240’s.
Click to expand...
Yes, can be very stressful indeed. Thank your for your help ❤️
 
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when mine had a fungal infection I was advised to give it acraflavin baths. I gave it one each day and added salt to its tank and that solved the issue

I also raised the temp as at the time I had it too low to about 29 and put crushed coral in to raise the ph etc
 
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Simonas said:
when mine had a fungal infection I was advised to give it acraflavin baths. I gave it one each day and added salt to its tank and that solved the issue

I also raised the temp as at the time I had it too low to about 29 and put crushed coral in to raise the ph etc
Click to expand...
Okay, thank you. Seems like a good thing to have on hand. I'll see if I can find the antiseptic kind, I have only seen it for lab use. Thank you for your reply
 
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