slider food

Question
Hello.  I have a two or three year ole (not sure of actual age) red eared slider.  We give him about 10 turtle food pellets every day.  He eats them and appears to be very healthy, but I'd feel safer with a little more variety in his diet.  All different turtle care sheets say different things, lettuce is good, lettuce is bad, only carrots, not carrots, etc.  What can I give him other than his turtle pellets?  Also, would feeder goldfish be okay?  Or is he too young?

Thanks,
Hardy

Answer
Hello Hardy,

Turtle pellets are actually pretty healthy for them but variety is best. Some lettuce is good other types are not. Here is a list of SAFE food items to offer.

(PLANT ITEMS)
http://redearslider.com/plants.html

(PREY ITEMS)
http://redearslider.com/prey.html

Iceberg type lettuce should NOT be fed but it wont make them sick, Collared Lettuce is really good for them. This may be why you get mixed information.

That sight is very reliable. Anything NOT on the list should NOT be tested.


As for feeder goldfish, they are actually NEVER too young to have goldfish as long as they are smaller then the turtles head (so he doesnt choke) Young turtles are more likely to eat fish then adults. As young'ns like to hunt and eat fresh meat. Older turtles eat more vegetable and plant matter.

HOWEVER be sure you get healthy fish. Many Many feeder fish carry parsites which can be deadly to your turtle and these fish would not be good for him to eat. Ask the store you will shop at where they get their goldfish. Look the company up online and research them as much as possible. If at the store the tank is dirty, there are dead fish, or the fish look unhealthy dont buy from them. Especially if there are hundreds crammed in a tank, the more crowded the tank the more likely there are diseases. If possible find somebody who breeds their own.

Sometimes I will feed my turtles feeder fish but I will buy the fish and house them in a fish bowl for a few weeks, feed them and clean out the tank. If they are still alive after a few weeks and dont look sick and are eating and not losing drastic weight AND there are no microscopic looking worms in the bowl it is pretty safe to feed to the turtles. Most disease that can be passed from one to the other would have already killed the fish or made the symptoms obvious. But to be extra safe just stay clear from them.

Good luck
Yexalen