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Red Eared Slider Unusual Behavior

22 16:20:43

Question
I had gone on Vacation for a couple of weeks and left my 2 year old Male Red-Eared Slider in care of a friend until I returned.  When I returned, I noticed that his tank and water temperature had not been his normal temperature of at least 75 degrees Farenheit, but was only about 70 degrees.  And he was expressing some unusual behavior.  He was basking excessively, He had a loss in apetite, He keeps kicking out his back legs sporadically, and keeps scratching himself with his front claws.  Not sure what this behavior means.  He might have an infection, but there are no signs of an infection.  Is he trying to hibernate?  Please advise.

Answer
Give the tank a good cleaning, and boost temps a little to about 80F to help the immune system. Also, set lighting up to be on for about 12-14 hours a day.

This is pretty typical cool-weather behavior. When it is nice and warm, it should be OK. It might develop a bit of a Respiratory Infection, so keep it toasty for a week or so, and consider using a medicine like the fish med 'Stress Coat' per directions.