Red Eared Slider dead

Question
I know it says you're not a turtle expert, but after doing several hours of research I cannot understand what happened exactly. Please read this and if you can't help at all is there someone you know who you might forward this to?

So here is how it went.
My boyfriend and I bought 3 red eared sliders about 1 inch in diameter. After we got them we found out it was illegal to sell them at this age because of all kids of sicknesses. But we got them checked out and, we always wash hands our hands thoroughly after handling them and practice good caution. We did extensive research on how to care for them and what to feed them. And I've owned turtles before.

We have a set up of a 55 gallon tank with fake plants, a placo fish and some feeder fish. We have UV lighting, a heat lamp and a basking spot for during the day. We feed the turtles some store bought turtle food that everyone said was the best to use. We also give them chicken, water plants and feeder fish. We change out the water every month and clean the bottom of the tank every two weeks.

This afternoon I came home and one of my turtles was floating on top of the water blown up with water and a blood bubbles on it's neck and side. It was rubbery and completely gone.

The turtles have never exhibited anything being wrong with them, no marks, clear eyes, healthy, active, eating, and growing just fine.

I took the other turtles out and out them in a container with clean water immediately. I looked them over and they were perfectly fine.

No one seems to have an answer of what could have happened. Is there any answer you can give me at all?

Answer
Hi Jane,

I have to compliment you on working so hard to take good care of your RES.  Too many people get hatchling RES because they're cute and cheap, and then don't do what's needed to keep them healthy.  So good job!

Unfortunately the RES that are sold as hatchlings are farmed, which means they are bred in quantities too large to make sure that any one hatchling is healthy, active, eating, etc.  Conditions may be overcrowded, and because RES are such prolific breeders the hatchlings are essentially throwaways--no one really cares if a few die here and there.  It's very possible that your turtle had an illness that didn't show any effects until now, or it may have had some kind of systemic infection.  The bloating may have been postmortem, but I would really want to know what caused the bubbles of blood.

I suggest you post what happened on this RES forum and see if anyone has any ideas for you:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/index.php?welcome  

If you don't get a good answer, please post back *privately* and I'll put you in touch with a rescuer I know who might be able to help.