How to Clean Off Baby Turtle Fungus

In their natural environment, baby turtles are seldom affected by skin or shell fungus. However, it is a common occurrence in the contained environments where pet turtles dwell. Fungus can be the result of an unkempt aquarium with poor water quality and frequently occurs at the site of an injury.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• New soft toothbrush
• Dove dish washing liquid
• Aquarium salt
• Distilled water
• 5 percent iodine solution

1. 

   Determine if your turtle has skin fungus (fuzzy white lumps or flakes) or shell rot (slimy gray or green bacterial fungus). Baby turtles shed quite a bit, so be certain that you are not mistaking dead skin for fungus.

2. Treat the aquarium water with one-quarter cup aquarium salt per 5 gallons of aquarium water.

3. 

   Scrub your baby turtle very gently with a new soft toothbrush and Dove dish washing liquid, removing as much dirt and fungus debris as possible. After the bath, dry your turtle gently but thoroughly.

4. Treat skin fungus by bathing your baby turtle in a mixture of 1 tablespoon aquarium salt per half gallon of distilled water (the water should be deep enough to just cover the shell). Repeat one to two times daily for five days.

5. 

   Treat shell rot by covering the affected areas with a thin coat of 5 percent iodine solution. Allow the iodine to fully dry before placing your turtle back in its aquarium. Repeat once daily for 14 days. If your turtle has not shown improvement by day 14, consult a veterinarian.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your turtle's aquarium clean. Once a week, remove half the water and replace it with fresh water. Clean the filter with cool water only. This will allow beneficial bacteria to survive. Monitor the water temperature. Keep it as only as warm as your particular turtle species requires. Help your turtle avoid shell rot. Provide it with a rock and a heat lamp so that it can bask in warmth and dry out its shell. If your baby turtle is simply shedding, you can opt to remove the dead skin with a soft toothbrush, but it isn't necessary.

• Do not treat a baby turtle for fungus if you suspect that it might only be shedding. Do not attempt home treatment if you observe redness, pus or wet, sticky spots on its shell or if it exhibits signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite or puffy eyes. In these instances professional veterinary treatment should be sought immediately.

References

• Turtle Rescues
• Fish Pond Info
• World Chelonian Trust

Resources

• Pet Place: Caring For Your Turtle
• Turtle Care Center
• Shell Rot Treatment