Fungal infection of wounds on Chinese Softshell turtle

[sweetsimon]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

1-5

If yes, what is your nitrate?

10

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?

51-60%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

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.

Hello! I took this turtle home about three weeks ago, saw it at a grocery store meant for soup and made the decision on impulse (ever intelligent) I noticed some superficial wounds on its shell right away, probably from careless handling at the store/farm. I have him in a 60 gallon tank previously filled to about 40 gallons, now about 20. Freshwater, with sand, large smooth rocks and some driftwood, most of which I have since removed. 2 filters, bio bubbler and a sponge filter. As of today only the sponge filter is operating due to water level. Water heater 75 degrees F. UVB bulb for lighting, no sun. Water changes every other day 4-6 gallons last week, but yesterday I did an 80% change after a nitrite spike, and another 50% today after testing. Dechlorinated tap water. I offer 1-2 small shrimp daily, plus mazuri turtle pellets and the occasional worm (he has been uninterested/fearful of pellets/worm) past two days he has not been interested in anything.
I was not able to let the tank cycle, he was kept in a large bin for the first week, then moved to the aquarium after one night of filtration. Then I went away for the weekend (2/28-3/2) and my boyfriend fed him, but failed to clean out all of the leftover food (turtles are messy eaters, most was removed, but it wasn't a perfect job like it needed to be) Fungus appeared Huge water change was done, treated with aquarium salt on 3/8, 1tbsp/2gal, so I left the tank be for a couple days, but as I said the nitrites spiked so I changed out 80% and another 50 today. I got some methylene blue for the suspected fungus and did a dip with him today. Now I'm wondering if it isn't SCUD. The photos are before and after the MB. Thank you for reading and for the advice

 

[jjohnwm]

Weird stuff on that softie's shell. Is that blue stuff some of the fungus stained by the MB?

Softies are problematic because you pretty much have to feed them in their tank, rather than removing them to a smaller enclosure to keep the main tank clean. They also tend not to do well if removed from the water and allowed to dry out, which helps greatly with most turtles with shell growths. They usually end up scuffing and scratching their shells, causing more problems.

So if I were to bring home an unhealthy softie, plop it into a tank that has no mature biofilter, do comically inadequate water changes and then go on vacation for a few days...well, scratch that, I simply wouldn't do it. The sand substrate will help by gently scrubbing his shell when he burrows. Increasing the temperature a couple of degrees will increase his metabolism and encourage feeding.

Removing him from the tank a couple times daily and painting the growths with Betadine or similar, allowing it to dry for a few minutes before returning to water, would be useful. I'd likely double the salt concentration while treating this. Plain ordinary table salt is fine, or water-softener salt for best economy. "Aquarium" salt is just a waste of money, even for most fish let alone turtles. Most importantly, I would plan on frequent and massive water changes...ideally 100% and every other day or even every day. He's a fully aquatic turtle, but he isn't as intimately linked to the water as a fish; you don't need to worry about pH shock or water hardness or most other parameters when doing the change, just get the temperature close and you're done. Way back when I had chlorinated tap water I didn't even bother with dechlorinating it for turtles, but I don't know the levels in your tap water so won't comment on that.

He does not need food every day, and when you offer food I would remain and observe. Give him a couple minutes to feed; then remove all uneaten food. Don't leave it sitting hoping he will find and eat it. He will smell it immediately, and then seek it out right away if he intends to eat.

I'd suggest sticking with quality pellets that are small enough to be swallowed whole, no tearing apart or chewing, to minimize the creation of fine powder or juice that can't be utilized by the turtle but can speed up water pollution. That turtle is already a huge producer of ammonia, no need to add to the bioload with uneaten food waste. A big turtle in 20 gallons of water demands lots and lots of water changing.

I have no experience with that bacterial infection you mention but some reading seems to indicate that the symptoms don't really match up with those your turtle displays. I think you are correct in thinking that this is just fungus. It's a PITA but it can usually be eradicated without too much worry.

 

[HarleyK]

I honestly don't have a clue, but I hope it resolves quickly for you and the turtle. Salt sounds like a good idea. Please keep us posted.

 

[sweetsimon]

Turtle has eaten a few times since I posted (shrimp and worms), and the fungal issues have cleared up significantly after gentle debridement with qtips and a few days of medicated dips with methylene blue. I will be continuing treatment for at least a full week, if not two. There are still some craters in the skin over the back, but they're shallow and have an acceptable color. Water changes are daily and at least 50% depending on what my test strips tell me. I'll add salt back in to the regular tank if we're thinking that would be beneficial.

 

[sweetsimon]

Turtle picture update- he's got some pitting in his shell but it's shallow, he eats regularly and is BAR still doing salt baths daily. I would love to get more plants in the system, plus a snail or two