Alligator snapper hatchling skin prob!

I have 2 alligator snappers I got from loggerhead acres about a month ago. They're in. 10 gal tank with filtration, plenty feed, and clean water. A few days ago I noticed that the turtle that is very dark colored looked like his underside was turning almost white. Then 2 days later he had what looked like a white"stripe" on his head. Upon inspection of the spots I noticed that any fleshy part of the skin that I rub I can rub all the pigment out of the skin with one swipe. The new lightly colored skin doesn't feel any different or stink and doesn't even look like it penetrates the skin. The easiest way to describe it is taking the pigment out of it. He has also been dry docking himself for a majority of the day. Still hunts and eats but much less than his sibling. Any idea of what this could be?

Is the water directly from the tap? There is a great possibility that that skin is flaking from too much chlorine. A filtration system will not rid your tank of that, the water must first be treated or you have to use RO water.

It's hard tap water. They need soft water. I hate to say it will get worse and worse and the turtle will die. For some reason this issue has not been exposed. It will also make them lose scutes. It's time these truths are exposed.

Ur in Louisiana use natural swamp water or rain water

Originally Posted by turtlyawesome

It's hard tap water. They need soft water. I hate to say it will get worse and worse and the turtle will die. For some reason this issue has not been exposed. It will also make them lose scutes. It's time these truths are exposed.

Turtleawesome is right. It's because of hard water. I've had this problem as well and this issue really needs to be exposed more for alligator snappers and their owners. Do yourself a favor and dump all that water out. Go straight to your closest aquarium store and buy R/O water that has very soft water. Ask how hard their water is (the reading should be measured in ppm). If you already have a lot of mineral deposits on the sides of the tank I suggest you get a brand new setup like a Rubbermaid tub and put the new R/O water in there. You will not be able to get rid of the minerals from hard water that is stuck on your glass tank sides; it's permanently stuck there and when you add brand new water it'll just dissolve back into the water thus making the water really hard again. Just get brand new soft water from your aquarium store and a brand new Rubbermaid tub.