My red-eared slider has black spots on its shell. What's the cause?

Question

My red eared slider turtle has black spots all over its shell and it doesn't seem to be because of being in water for too long. What could the possible reason for the black spots that are developing on its shell. P.S. Im not able to provide UV light for it yet. Pet's info: Other | Other Pet - Not Listed | Female

Angel Alvarado, LVT · Accepted Answer

UVB lighting is critical to shell and overall health. If you don't yet have a UVB light source, you can take Jazzy outside in full sun for at least 60 minutes daily. Use caution to prevent overheating though. Perform a partial water change (30% total volume) and scrub and tank furniture. Confirm the filter is rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. You will likely need to perform partial water changes weekly or every 2 weeks to maintain water quality. Turtles eat and defecate in the water, so it can get dirty very quickly without regular maintenance. Scrub Jazzy using a soft bristled toothbrush and a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. Allow for a 1-2 hour dry dock (out of the water) after each scrubbing. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, soft spots on the shell or pitting. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

My red-eared slider has black spots on its shell. What's the cause?

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