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My turtle has shell chipping and algae. Is it shell rot? How to treat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Reptile | Aquatic Turtle | Male

Hi, I'm a Mississippi Map Turtle owner, I recently discovered that turtles are meant to shed their scutes. I didn't know as this is my first turtle and he hasn't shed before, I've now had him for 2+ years. There was a lot of algae build up on his shell, and I've slowly worked to gently clean it off. Since cleaning it I've noticed spots on his shell that seem to be chipping away, and spots where the algae grew underneath the shell and created small bubbles. Is this shell rot? How can I help him?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Eryn Taormina, DVM

Answered By Eryn Taormina, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 26th, 2018

Hi there! So sorry to hear about Willow's shell troubles. You can try dry-docking him and just letting him into the water for an hour a day to defecate to let the shell really dry out.
You can clean the shell with some very dilute betadine or iodine, or chlorhexidine solution mixed one part solution with 10 parts water 2-3 times per day while you dry dock. Keep in mind, when trying to feed him a couple times per week, he'll want to be in the water for that as well as for going to the bathroom. They will not eat when being dry docked. If here is no improvement at all in a week or so, he may need some prescription cream to apply to the shell.
Shell rot usually will be a result of water quality not being ideal. Below is a link to Austin's turtle page, one of my favorite turtle husbandry pages, as well as a link about treating shell rot.
I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck!
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-mississippi_map.htm
https://www.vettails.com/vettails/2016/2/21/how-i-treat-shell-rot-in-turtles
Vote Icon2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on June 26th, 2018

    You can find them in any local pharmacy or store (CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc or even Target or Wal-Mart).
    Shell rot is commonly due to a combination of poor water quality, poor diet and incorrect environmental parameters.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on June 26th, 2018

    Maintain pristine water quality and environmental parameters. Scrub the area gently daily with a soft bristled toothbrush and diluted betadine or Hibiclens solution. Apply a dab of triple antibiotic ointment to the area then keep Cooper out of teh water for at least 15 minutes to allow the ointment to penetrate. If there is no change in 3-4 days, switch to a topical antifungal cream. Scrub then dab then dry dock for at least 15 minutes. Continue until the spot resolves.
    if it doesn't or if it spreads, you will need to have Cooper examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating turtles.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Susan England-Foster

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 28th, 2017

    Typically with shell rot you should take him out of water and place him in a dry area 2-3 times a day to help dry out his shell. Also try a weak iodine solution to the rotten areas of the shell. I would make the iodine solution the color of weak ice tea. If this is not helping I recommend taking him to a vet for a good exam and possible topical medications for the shell. Hope that helps!!

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    4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

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My new turtle has shell rot. What are the best treatment steps?
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Is my baby turtle's shell rot? How do I treat white shell spots?
Thanks for reaching out about Muddy and including photos. By the photos, the lesions do not appear serious. White lesions can appear from other traumas, of which algae can invade. Scrubbing the shell, and keeping water quality good, should work well. If lesions grow, seeking an appointment with a reptile veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.
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My baby red-eared slider has white spots on its shell. What is it?
It could be some minor shell rot. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and some diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) to scrub the affected area once or twice daily. Allow for a 1 hour dry dock (out of the water) after each cleaning. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. If the spots do not resolve or if they spread, have Squirtle physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. A UVB light source, calcium powder and multivitamin will promote shell health. You can also float a piece of cuttlebone in the tank for him to munch on as needed. It will provide additional calcium. Find the cuttlebone in the Bird section of the local Petco. The link below will provide additional information regarding the care of sliders. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
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My turtle has puffy eyes, won't eat, and shell rot. What should I do?
Sounds like he may have hypovitaminosis A. I suggest you read this article for suggestions on care and treatment. This is a diet and housing/lighting/temperature issue so be sure you are caring for him correctly. ( https://www.petplace.com/article/reptiles/general/vitamin-a-deficiency-hypovitaminosis-a-in-turtles/ ) ( http://www.avianandexotic.com/care-sheets/reptiles/aquatic-turtle/ ) As for the shell rot, you cannot keep an aquatic turtle on dry land 24/7. You should put him in water four one hour a day to eat and toilet then dry dock him again on land in a soft towel with a small, shallow water bowl for the remainder of the day. It is also important to get these turtles some UV light. At least twenty minutes a day in the sunshine or a set up with a UV lamp works well. It is also important the species are kept at their preferred body temperature to encourage the body to heal, a cold turtle can not mount an immune response. As a general rule around 25C suits most turtles.
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My turtle's shell has green spots. Is it algae? How can I treat it?
Thanks for reaching out about Abby and including photos. She does appear to have a good amount of algae on her shell. Test and correct water quality as high phosphates and too much lighting are often culprits. The shell can be gently scrubbed with water or a mild soap (Dawn dish soap) and then rinsed. Keeping her dry for prolonged periods of time can kill the algae but if water quality not corrected, problem could re-occur. Good luck.
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Vet Q & A
My turtle's belly shell is yellow. What is it and how to treat?
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My turtle has shell rot. How long until I see results from treatment?
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