This is winston.. legend!

[Turtle_Mayhem]

Did you have a basking light on when you had that spot?

He needs to always have access to an area to get out of the water and bask.

Yeah of course, I know it might seem bad, but after watching his behaviour before it didnt seem to make much difference to his well being, obviously I take every step to ensure he is in good health as hes MY BOY! ha

But then again I could put the landing back in & he wouldnt use it! which would just take up more room!

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Wait, you mean you don't have a basking area at all for your turtle?

 

[rmorse]

Shell rot....

 

[logo]

Put the landing back in they need it. It isnt an option of whether to have one or not it is a necessity.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Yes, no matter how "happy" you think your turtle looks it still needs a place to bask and dry off. This is a basking turtle species that spends many hours a day doing this activity. If they are not aloud to bask illness can result like shell rot, skin fungus, respiratory infections, etc...

 

[[enjoyable_attempt]]

His shell is going to get really soft and start deteriorating if you don't give him the right basking area, and clean your water up a bit. If hes your boy you should really start taking care of him like hes supposed to be. I know you think hes fine now and he doesnt show any signs of being unhealthy, but if you let him keep living like this it is guerenteed to happen. Hate to bring the bad news but I want your turtle to live a good long life, but you have to start careing for him right to ensure he lives his life to the fullest.

 

[ceeej31]

put the basking area back and if he still wont use it, try slightly lowering the water temp

 

[coura]

What a nice male cooter One of my favorites, unfornatly lost a beautifull 12 inch female a few weeks ago that i had for like 16 years And you really must include a basking place. Cooters love to bask, mine spend all morning basking in the pond if they are left uninterrupted. And it doesant necessarily has to take space, you can set him a above tank basking platform and I tell you he will use it, very often indeed. Also dont forget to give him its fare sher of leafy greens cooters love greens

 

[hamato_yoshii]

Yeah, of course I agree with the others, sometimes you don't see them using it because he could be doing it when your not around, at night, or he simply gets off before you can witness him on there. Lots of possibilities, but the necessity of the basking platform still remains.

 

[Turtle_Mayhem]

What a nice male cooter One of my favorites, unfornatly lost a beautifull 12 inch female a few weeks ago that i had for like 16 years And you really must include a basking place. Cooters love to bask, mine spend all morning basking in the pond if they are left uninterrupted. And it doesant necessarily has to take space, you can set him a above tank basking platform and I tell you he will use it, very often indeed. Also dont forget to give him its fare sher of leafy greens cooters love greens

hehe thanks Im a very proud father indeed!! jokes! yeah I feed him all sorts from dead fish, green foods frozen foods and turtle sticks/pellets, its strange tho he seems to love the cichlid pellets the most!