Aquatic turtle?

Question

For those of you that have aquatic turtles, what do you feed it and what is your tank like for it??? I have a River Cooter and a Mississippi Painted (found him in the road).

I have a 30 gallon long filled 1/3 with water, have fine gravel on the bottom (almost sand like) I have a in the tank filter, and a dry basking area with a reptile light.

I feed turtle pellets as well as worms and frogs. I also found that they love to eat those calcium turtle shaped things that is supposed to condition the water to help keep the shell in good condition.

The River cooter is about 8 inches from head of shell to tail. The Mississippi painted is only about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I am planning a bigger tank. Just wondering what all my options are for set up. And what else I can feed. Neither turtle will touch fruits or greenage. Have tried. Tank is crystal clear and I have no funny smells. I think I am doing ok, for getting my very first turtle this year. What else can I use for basking options.

Answer 1

Just FYI:

- With 2 biggish turtles, about 10 gallons of water is pretty small. They will experience less stress, and you will find tank management easier, if you got them over 50 gallons- 200 would be a lot better.

- With turtles like this, many keepers go to kiddie ponds or plastic stock tanks to offer enough water. Outdoor ponds are another common option.

- Think about a way to provide ultra-violet light. They need it to synthesize vitamin D in their skin, and UV does not penetrate glass.

- Calcium blocks (water conditioners) are not usually needed in well-managed set-ups. The calcium would come from the diet.

- Try adding fish to the diet as well- worms and frogs are good snacks, but they don't have a ton of calcium, etc.

- If the turtles are adults, add some dark green leafy greens (lightly boiled- very lightly!)

A good website for pond turtles in general is http://www.redearslider.com even if most of it is geared towards one species.

Answer 2

You need a 75gallon or larger an get the sand out ASAP. turtles tend to be bottom feeders that is during the day they will feed of the bottom. A lot of turtles get impacted due to the wrong type of rocks used in the bottom. If you want to use gravel it has to be too big the turtle can't eat it. You also need a basking light and a UVB light they are not the same. The UVB is required it acts like sunlight and the full spectrum gives off heat. Turtles are omnivores they require a diet mixed with dark green leafy veggies about 50%,turtle pellets around 25% and worms ,crickets or other live protein 25%. The water will also need a good filter I use a Fluva, not sure which model number. Try to stay away from the calcium if you feed him the mixed diet his calcium levels should be fine.

Answer 3

Sounds good so far. The tank could be a little bigger, but if it's the best you've got it should serve. You should give it a rock or some land somewhere in the tank to crawl up on, turtles don't do very well if they have to spend all their time in the water. Be sure you either have a filter in the tank or clean the tank frequently, as turtles are rather messy and can get diseases in a dirty tank.

As for food, worms are probably good if you can get them. Some turtles will eat plant material, which is easier to get, so maybe you should try out a few fruit bits just to see whether it works (if it doesn't, be sure to remove any uneaten food).

Answer 4

We had a Read Eared Slider and we had about the same set-up. As long as they can get out of the water and bask they will thrive. We fed our turtle small feeder goldfish or guppies. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Aquatic turtles can eat fish, shrimp, worms, bugs, and fruit+veggies. You can go to a pet store around you and see if they have Aquatic turtle food, we have it in our store. You can moisten that slightly and add some of the food I listed above.

The tank you said sounds perfect for it, just make sure the lamp doesn't get too hot. (Above 95 degrees)

Answer 6

I keep my turtles in a ten-gal and feed them food sticks