FLY RIVER TURTLE Question?
- Thread starter BigJ
- Start date
You don't need it, UV doesn't penetrate far into water. Coupled with the fact FRTs don't bask, it's not an essential part of their care. Sporadic exposure can't hurt though...
I don't know if anyone knows of a fairly renowned herpetologist named 9 finger Mike who lost a finger to a stilleto bite - and is working on a show similar to River Monster's in which he will be giving expert advice to whatever TV face friendly jerk off they have wrangling the animals - but straight from his mouth were the words that fly river turtles absolutely and 100% need UVB.
He recommends UVB 10.0 bulbs directly over open waters, or to get an aquarium specially made with the intentions of a turtle that has one half screen, though screen will also filter out UVB.
Fly river turtles don't need as much UVB for shell production and calcium transfusion as other turtles that bask, but they still need it - and will swim closer to the surface of the water to get it.
This is from the mouth of a pHD who has dedicated 30 years of his life to reptiles, not from me - he comes into our shop regularly to talk with us because the studio he works in is right down the street.
Without it they will not die, but will develop a soft shell condition due to calcium deficiency that leads to an easier invasion of bacterial and fungal infections.
So while it's not critical for their survival, it is an important part of their care - if you want your animal to have the best care you can provide, which as a hobbyist is your obligation.
2 hours in natural sunlight is equal to 8 hours of artificial flourescent UVB as well - they also make drops that eliminate the need for UVB, but the directions are "per inch of animal" which is completely inaccurate, as a result you run the risk of crystalizing your animals organs.
If you see fit you can visit a zoo and get exact gram measurement calculations for giving your turtle artificial calcium infused with certain catalysts to simulate what UVB would let them do naturally - but it seems like a lot of extra work, when you just need to replace a bulb every 6 months.
Just my opinion.
EDIT:
Also - don't put basking/UV bulbs that are mogul socket screw ins over a tank, that's a recipe for disaster. A splash of water could make the bulb explode - and most contain mercury which would likely kill or at the very least shorten the life span of your animal if it falls into the water.
Get the T8 or T12 (depending on length of bulb - T8's are 12" - 26", T12's are 36" and above.) fluorescent tubes in 10.0 spectrum for maximum penetration, and a regular strip light aquarium light.
He recommends UVB 10.0 bulbs directly over open waters, or to get an aquarium specially made with the intentions of a turtle that has one half screen, though screen will also filter out UVB.
Fly river turtles don't need as much UVB for shell production and calcium transfusion as other turtles that bask, but they still need it - and will swim closer to the surface of the water to get it.
This is from the mouth of a pHD who has dedicated 30 years of his life to reptiles, not from me - he comes into our shop regularly to talk with us because the studio he works in is right down the street.
Without it they will not die, but will develop a soft shell condition due to calcium deficiency that leads to an easier invasion of bacterial and fungal infections.
So while it's not critical for their survival, it is an important part of their care - if you want your animal to have the best care you can provide, which as a hobbyist is your obligation.
2 hours in natural sunlight is equal to 8 hours of artificial flourescent UVB as well - they also make drops that eliminate the need for UVB, but the directions are "per inch of animal" which is completely inaccurate, as a result you run the risk of crystalizing your animals organs.
If you see fit you can visit a zoo and get exact gram measurement calculations for giving your turtle artificial calcium infused with certain catalysts to simulate what UVB would let them do naturally - but it seems like a lot of extra work, when you just need to replace a bulb every 6 months.
Just my opinion.
EDIT:
Also - don't put basking/UV bulbs that are mogul socket screw ins over a tank, that's a recipe for disaster. A splash of water could make the bulb explode - and most contain mercury which would likely kill or at the very least shorten the life span of your animal if it falls into the water.
Get the T8 or T12 (depending on length of bulb - T8's are 12" - 26", T12's are 36" and above.) fluorescent tubes in 10.0 spectrum for maximum penetration, and a regular strip light aquarium light.
SimonL;3412284; said:
It's all dependent on care and maintenance, if you're religious with water changes odds are it won't cause any problems. The only way bacterial or fungal infections should technically start up would be from introduction of a foreign body or a lack of water changes and substrate vacuuming.
There haven't been any long term studies on if not having UVB will shorten the fly river's total lifespan, either.
I'm getting one soon - and so I went the extra mile to consult with real experts on this - which is why I'm offering up my opinion. This is coming from some one who - like most experts - doesn't have the time to get on the internet and post care requirements, let alone try to make a peer reviewed write up on the matter for publication. There's no money in that kind of work.
EDIT: So to sum up a long post - they don't need UVB to survive, but it is proven to be beneficial to their health, and with how much and how rare these turtles are to begin with - why not spend the extra $50 a month on a bulb that could potentially extend their lifespan?
