Red-Eared Slider

Red-eared sliders are the most commonly kept pet turtle in the US, and they're omnivores whose diet shifts dramatically with age — hatchlings are mostly carnivorous, adults become predominantly plant-eaters. Commercial pellets, feeder fish, and leafy greens make up the bulk of a healthy diet at every stage; feeder insects like mealworms and dubia roaches belong in the rotation, not at the center of the bowl.

What to Feed

• Pellets (Mazuri, ZooMed, Fluker's) are the dietary backbone — roughly 25% of diet
• Feeder fish (guppies, minnows) and leafy greens should dominate, especially for adults
• Dubia roaches, mealworms, and earthworms are occasional rotation items, not the staple protein
• Some sources flag mealworms specifically for a less favorable calcium-to-phosphorus ratio than dubia — don't lean on mealworms alone
• Avoid oily fish (smelt, mackerel) as a regular feeder

Feeding Schedule

• Hatchlings/juveniles (under 1 year): protein and greens daily, pellets every other day — rotate in Small dubia roach nymphs (about 50/week) alongside feeder fish
• Adults (1 year+): protein 1–2x/week, pellets 2–3x/week, greens daily — try Medium dubia roach nymphs (about 50/week) for the insect portion

Gut-Loading & Dusting

Calcium powder washes off before a submerged turtle eats, so dusting the way you would for a terrestrial lizard doesn't work here. Use a cuttlebone or calcium block in the tank instead (replace every 1–2 months), alongside calcium-balanced pellets as the primary calcium source. Gut-load feeder insects 24–48 hours before offering as usual — it still improves what little nutrition the insect itself contributes. UVB (290–320nm, 12–18 in. from the basking site, replaced every 6 months) remains necessary for calcium metabolism regardless of diet.

Note: insects are a real, recommended rotation item for this species — but every source checked treats pellets, fish, and greens as the actual staple. Don't treat feeder insects as the primary diet for red-eared sliders.

Common Mistakes

• Treating mealworms as a primary protein source rather than an occasional rotation item
• Overfeeding oily fish or goldfish as a staple (thiaminase/fat concerns)
• Skipping UVB and assuming diet alone covers calcium needs
• Assuming a dusted insect delivers meaningful calcium once it's underwater