Help with Baby Softshells Please..

[wffsoccer]

I have 4 baby florida softshells (2-3"). They are all actively healthy(or appear to be) constantly swimming/basking/exploring/chasing feeders etc. About 2 weeks ago, 1 of them had a chunk missing out of its back shell, I discovered that one of the more dominant babies was biting and clamping onto the others shells at random. All of them are now showing these shell problems in the back.

What can I do to get them to quit doing this, space isnt an issue, they are in a 45 hex, with plenty of rock/swimming space.

Also, what can I do to treat their injuries, I have read that neosporin is safe? Just want to make sure before I do this.

 

[messiner]

seperate the biter or all of them of need be.

 

[rottbo]

45 hex is not big enough for them maybe one but not for life

 

[ozz465]

Yep neosporin is good. I agree tak the bitter away , if all do this seperate them...

 

[paul112]

I have 4 baby florida softshells (2-3")... space isnt an issue, they are in a 45 hex, with plenty of rock/swimming space.

There are 3 issues with your setup:
1. Softies should be housed alone. They are aggressive towards everything, so you cannot stop the aggression.
2. You have 8-12" of turtle in a 45G. That is waaay too cramped. You should have 10G for every inch, so an 80-120G tank would be needed for 4 just now, let alone when they grow huge.
3. You say you have rocks in the tank. That's bad, you should have a fine sand substrate with smooth decor.

Paul

 

[DeLgAdO]

I have 4 baby florida softshells (2-3"). They are all actively healthy(or appear to be) constantly swimming/basking/exploring/chasing feeders etc. About 2 weeks ago, 1 of them had a chunk missing out of its back shell, I discovered that one of the more dominant babies was biting and clamping onto the others shells at random. All of them are now showing these shell problems in the back.

What can I do to get them to quit doing this, space isnt an issue, they are in a 45 hex, with plenty of rock/swimming space.

Also, what can I do to treat their injuries, I have read that neosporin is safe? Just want to make sure before I do this.

DONT ADD NEOSPRIN!!!!!

not to an aquatic animal anyways

it may disolve into the water and cause problems

if its not infected jsut clean the wound, disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide and a cotton swab

and keep the water very clean

thats it.

 

[vicedretard]

i say forget splitting just the bitter split them all and be prepared to upgrade tanks size per turtle. i hav used neosporin on a chinese soft shell it worked fine.

 

[softturtle]

Yeah, I have used neosporin too, and never had any problems (with fish in the tank aswell). I would just remove the biter. I have kept lots of Florida softshells and I only once had any problem with aggression(two large females in a small area). I only keep two of them now (1 male about 7" and 1 female about 12" ) and they are very easy going twards each other. I'll post a pic just becuase I never get to do so.

I forgot to mention to add about a Tbls of salt to every 5 gallons. Helps softshells ward of infection.

 

[DeLgAdO]

Yeah, I have used neosporin too, and never had any problems (with fish in the tank aswell). I would just remove the biter. I have kept lots of Florida softshells and I only once had any problem with aggression(two large females in a small area). I only keep two of them now (1 male about 7" and 1 female about 12" ) and they are very easy going twards each other. I'll post a pic just becuase I never get to do so.

I forgot to mention to add about a Tbls of salt to every 5 gallons. Helps softshells ward of infection.

you sir live up to your screen name

 

[softturtle]

you sir live up to your screen name

I try my best