RES not eating.

Question
species: RES.  habitat size: 8 gal substrate: none humidity: bask/ambient temps: water temp: 75-77(water heater), use a thermometer, no UVB lighting at the moment, no vet history, started by offering lettuce, tomato, carrots and tried tuna once unsuccessfully, then changed to floating food sticks,  feeding schedule: offer food once a day, no supplements, last time ate: I think 3-4 days, when and how water is given. when last defecated: I think it was yesterday, since water was dirty and changed it, captive bred, shed recently: unknown, other animals living in same terrarium?: no   

ok that's the answer to the mandatory info. Here's a little more info

I got the turtle about a month ago as a birthday gift, and as so, I was not prepared to take care of it, she is around 4" and I have tried my best with what I have to give it the proper care, according with the information found in the Internet, so far I have not managed to get the basking lamp, I do take her out of the water a couple of times a day so she can dry out since I read that they can get fungal infections if they don't. What I  was told when I got it about the habitat (she?)was in when they bought her was that she was in a aquarium (they guessed 40gal) with 3 more turtles, basking area and the filter (that's all they remembered). I have been trying to feed her what I mention above, but she wont eat any of it, then I thought perhaps she was used to the food sticks since she was in a pet store and bought some, but she wont touch them either... however my dad got the idea one day  of trowing in the water a fly he had just killed (with a newspaper) and the next thing I know the fly is gone... apparently she likes to eat flies. But I also read that 'wild' animals can give her parasites or make her sick, so I don't let him give her flies, but I know that he has thrown in there a couple more any way. My question is, how long can she go with out eating? Why wont she eat the food stick or the veggies? What type of food can I give her that she would accept? What can I do to give her batter care? (besides buying what I know I have to buy, I'm saving for that)

Answer
Frankly it doesn't sound like you've done much research. Some aquatic turtles can be enticed to eating some finely grated fruits and veggies, but much of what you are offering is not close to the natural diet of an RES. Where have you researched that gave you that information about lettuce and tomatoes? Tuna?

This is one of the reasons I can't stand people who get pets for other people as surprise gifts. The recipient is not prepared and may not even be willing to take the responsibility, so it ends up being a pretty thoughtless and irresponsible thing to do, in regards to the animal's well being.

First, you need to do better research. There are plenty of websites out there that discuss RES care, and none of them would have mentioned some of the foods you have used. One such site is redearedslider.net. Young turtles are more carnivorous. Research almost anywhere would have told you that, so I am doubting you have done much if any research.

Appropriate animal source foods would include crickets, bloodworms, mealworms, snails, tubifex worms. Sticks and pellets should be supplemental ONLY. Appropriate plant foods may be composed of greens and some limited fruits and grated vegetables, but the larger portion should consist of aquatic plants such as duckweed and anacharis. Dried sheet seaweed can also be used.

Besides the diet, there is a serious problem here that you don't have a UVB lamp, nor a basking heat lamp..and it doesn't sound like you have a basking area either. That's probably because you are keeping the turtle in a pitifully inadequate sized tank. This turtle needs to be in at least a 30 gallon, and it will grow in only a couple more years to need something much larger.

If it does not have UVB, it will develop metabolic bone disease which will cause crippling, deforming, and/or fatal effects.

If it does not have a proper basking heat source and a dry basking area, it will develop shell infections. You can't set up a proper thermal gradient or basking area in an 8 gallon tank. That is criminal to confine a slider to something that size, not to mention the fact that you can't really figure out what is wrong with the turtle when so much about the environment is wrong. If there isn't sufficient basking and UVB, you aren't going to have a turtle that's acting close to normal to guess what is really wrong otherwise.

If you are not using filtration, it may become sick due to high ammonia, nitrates, and fecal waste. That will happen more quickly in the small tank you are using.

Lastly, what your dad is doing is not healthy and is potentially dangerous to the turtle. Flies come into contact with all sorts of bacteria, parasites, pesticides and other household chemicals. It's foolish to give the turtle flies killed around the house, and it sounds like someone needs to take better charge of this situation. Frankly, it doesn't sound at all like this turtle is going to get decent care where it is unless there is some change in attitude there and a determination to fix all that you are doing wrong, take the responsible steps of actually buying what this turtle needs if you care about it...or I recommend doing the best thing for the welfare of the turtle, and give it up to someone experienced and with the funds to provide for it properly. That is my honest opinion speaking for the sake of this turtle.

This turtle can't wait for you to "save" for all that it needs, especially a UVB lamp, basking lamp and a larger tnak. If you can't provide that now, you should give the turtle up to someone who can.