Do turtles need companions?

Question
My husband bought two baby turtles a week and a half ago for our birthdays and one of them died today.  They have a twenty gallon tank with a filtration system.  they have a basking spot, two actually and a heat lamp with uva and uvb lights. we feed them dandilion leaves, red and green letttuce, guppies, and commercial food.  though the turtle wouldnt eat.  their tempat air temp is 83 degrees and the water is about 75-78 degrees.  our little girl is doing great, he just wouldnt thrive.  but do i need to get her another companion so that she doesnt get lonley or depressed?

Answer
They don't need, and usually don't even want companions.

I'm sorry for your loss, but baby turtles are usually shipped, kept, and stored in pretty bad conditions. That is one reason it is against federal regulations to sell them under 4" long. I often hear about situations like this.

For your other turtle, you can find great care guidelines at http://www.redearslider.com- and you are already doing pretty well from the sounds of things.

Good luck!