Turtle Shell Fungus: Causes and Essential Care For 2024

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Ever heard about the mysterious case of turtle shell fungus? Just imagine your adorable pet turtle swimming happily in its tank, and suddenly, you notice a white, fuzzy patch on its shell. That’s the notorious turtle shell fungus making its sneaky appearance. This pesky problem can damage your turtle’s scales if not fixed right away. It’s like an unwelcome guest at a party—no one invited it, but it shows up anyway!

Turtle shell fungus is a fungal infection that can trouble your little shelled buddy, causing those not-so-charming gray or white fuzzy patches. But don’t worry! Just like a superhero saves the day, with some timely attention and care, you can rescue your turtle from this fungal villain. Let’s dig into the turtle shell fungus issue and how to get rid of this unwanted turtle fungus on shell!

What is the Fungal Disease in Turtle Shells?

A fungal disease in turtle shells shows up as gray or white fuzzy patches on the shell. Also, this condition appears as small, vivid green patches on the shell’s surface, neck, or legs. This kind of infection is linked to a fungus called Emydomyces testavorans, commonly found in freshwater areas. Emydomyces Testavorans fungus causes shell disease in various turtles and terrapins. This fungus is associated with freshwater habitats. 

How Emydomyces Testavorans Affects Turtle Shells

Discovery of the Fungus

Researchers discovered a fungus called Emydomyces Testavorans responsible for shell diseases in turtles as we have mentioned earlier. Through various examinations of turtle samples, they isolated and identified this fungus, characterizing it both physically and genetically.

Spread of Shell Lesions

This fungus leads to lesions on turtle shells, resulting in diverse presentations. These lesions gradually progress through the shell, potentially affecting the turtle’s bones. As a consequence, the turtle or any reptile becomes susceptible to infections due to the compromised shell.

Research and Future Investigations

While the fungus is found naturally in soil and observed in turtles across the U.S. Currently, researchers aren’t sure whether it causes lesions directly or if it attacks compromised shells. Even though it’s not confirmed that this fungus can be fatal to turtles, its severe impact on some turtles has led to their death. A lot more research is needed to see how the fungus behaves and what it means for turtles.

Sometimes, if you’re not experienced, it can be confusing to understand what does turtle fungus look like or to differentiate between turtle fungus on shell and natural shedding or rotting on the shell. In the next section, we’ll delve deeper into distinguishing these and what to look for to identify the fungus more accurately.

Identifying Turtle Shell Fungus

Recognizing fungal infection (shell fungus turtle) is crucial for its well-being. To identify turtle fungus on shell you should know what does turtle fungus looks like.

Regular Inspection

Keep a close watch on your pet’s shell, neck, and legs. Check for these telltale signs: small, vivid green patches that emerge swiftly. These shell fungus turtle patches are tiny, raised spots that tend to spread quickly across the surface.

Differentiating from Shedding

Now, differentiating between turtle fungus on shell and normal shedding is essential. Shedding involves the gradual peeling off of skin or shell layers, often leaving signs behind. However, if you notice anything unusual, it’s vital to rule out the possibility of shell rot.

Identifying Shell Rot

Shell rot shows up quite differently from turtle shell fungus. Not only does it produce a bad smell, but the shell might appear blotchy and could have fluid buildup. Shell rot begins from the injured area and goes deeper than just the top layer. Turtles with shell rot look very sickly and need immediate treatment.

Tips: If you detect anything that seems out of the ordinary, take a closer look and proceed with caution. You can use a bright light, a small flashlight, or even a  magnifying glass to examine shedding in turtles to be sure.

Read More: Can a Turtle Live Without a Shell?

Treating Fungal Infections in Turtles

When your turtle encounters a fungal infection, identifying it is the first challenge. But once you know what does turtle fungus look like, turtle shell fungus treatment becomes easier. But, how to treat fungus on turtle shell? There are a couple of effective ways to manage fungal infections:

1. Salt Bath Treatment

For turtle shell fungus treatment salt bath is great. Take the following ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Bath Salts: Purified/mineral Bath Salts (Unscented is recommended).
  • Clean sponge or brush: Keep it separate for your turtle.

Procedure:

Temperature Check: For turtles like red-eared sliders, make sure the water temperature stays between 75 to 85 F (about 24 to 29°C). Use a thermometer to confirm this.

Salt Solution Preparation: You will need to mix a quarter cup of bathing salt with each 5 gallons of water in a suitable container, like a plastic tub. Unscented Bathing salts are recommended for fighting turtle fungus on shell.

Soaking Time: Allow your turtle to soak in this salt solution for about 30 to 40 minutes every day. This treatment should continue for two weeks to effectively combat the turtle fungus on shell and disinfect any wounds.

2. Soap, Water, and Lodine Cleaning

You can take the following ingredients for turtle shell fungus treatment for their skin and shell care.

Ingredients:

  • Hypoallergenic soap.
  • Betadine solution.
  • A soft brush or any toothbrush.

First, take a suitable spot for cleaning, like a bathtub, a small container, or a bucket dedicated solely to your turtle’s use. Avoid using sinks due to the risk of salmonella contamination. Let’s take a look at step by step guide:

Step 1: Cleaning with Soap

Using a very soft sponge or toothbrush and fragrance-free soap, gently clean your turtle. Be cautious not to use too much soap—just enough to soften and remove any fungus on the turtle.

Step 2: Rinsing and Drying

After cleaning, rinse your turtle thoroughly with clean, drinkable water. Allow your turtle to air dry or use a clean towel to gently pat it dry. Providing a lamp for drying is also beneficial.

Step 3: Apply Lodine Solution

Prepare a diluted iodine solution using Betadine (1 part) and water (10 parts). Apply this solution all over the turtle, ensuring coverage. The Betadine solution is known to work effectively on reptiles.

Step 4: Air Dry and Repeat Treatment

Let your turtle air dry after applying the Betadine solution. Repeat this cleaning and application of Betadine solution every day for two weeks for effective treatment.

3. Applying an Antifungal Cream

For turtle shell fungus treatment another solution is antifungal cream. You can use these creams after cleaning your turtle shell fungus area properly. Apply it to the affected areas and follow instructions. These creams are commonly available in pet supply stores.

4. Providing Proper Basking Areas

Ensure your turtles have adequate basking areas where they can completely dry out and warm their shells. Use a full-spectrum UV heating lamp to maintain an appropriate temperature for your turtle’s breed.

5. Routine Tank Maintenance

Change one-third to one-half of the water every few weeks to keep the tank clean. Also, clean the filters with cool water to maintain healthy bacteria and prevent future fungal growth.

So, now we know, how to treat fungus on turtle shell. Let’s get into the next section about how to prevent turtle shell fungus.

Essential Care Practices To Prevent Turtle Shell Fungus

Besides knowing turtle shell fungus treatment, you should look for prevention.

Efficient Filtration: Use a high-quality filtration system suitable for the tank’s size. A good filter removes waste, uneaten food, and other impurities from the water, maintaining a clean and healthy environment for your turtle.

Spacious Habitat: House your turtle in a tank that offers enough space for it to swim, move around, and bask comfortably. A cramped environment can stress your turtle and impact its health.

Regular Water Changes: Replace a portion of the tank water regularly, typically around 25-50% every few weeks, depending on the tank size. This practice helps eliminate toxins and waste buildup and keeps the water fresh.

Timely Cleaning: Clean the tank thoroughly during water changes. Remove any debris, algae, or waste that may have accumulated. Regular cleaning prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and maintains water quality.

Uneaten Food Removal: Remove any uneaten food after feeding sessions. Leaving excess food in the tank can lead to water contamination and encourage bacterial growth, affecting your turtle’s health.

Checking Chemical Levels: Regularly test and maintain proper chemical levels in the tank, including ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Keeping these levels in check ensures a healthy and suitable aquatic environment for your turtle to thrive.

Read More: What Does A Turtle Without A Shell Look Like?

Wrapping Up

Addressing and preventing turtle shell fungus is crucial for maintaining their well-being. Clean your turtle’s habitat regularly, provide the right habitat conditions, and treat any signs of fungus right away so it thrives.

Remember, a clean tank, proper hygiene practices, and attentive care significantly reduce shell fungus risk. Stay observant, take proactive steps, and seek veterinary guidance when needed to safeguard your turtle’s shell health. 

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