What type of pet is better to have a turtle or Fish?

Question

Im asking for land and sea turtles and fresh fish.

Answer 1

Turtles are harder.

For a typical Red-ear slider, you should have:
- Big tank, at least 10 gallons of water per inch long of shell (and they get 10" long!)
- Heaters to keep the water at 75-80F
- Basking sites
- Basking site heat lamps to keep them 90F
- Filter 2-3 times more powerful than a fish tank
- Lighting that offers UV-B rays. These bulbs run $20-60 and only last about 6 months at a time.
- Steady supply of good food, only about 25-50% of it in pellets.

A box turtle or small tortoise might need:
- Pen that allows 100 square inches per inch of shell length- a 4'x4' pen is right for many of the smaller land turtles.
- Heating system to get temps up to about 70F for box turtles and 80-85 for tortoises
- UV-B lighting (see above)
- Humidity control- box turtles and some tortoises want about 80% humidity, others want almost none.
- Steady supply of good food.

Turtles and tortoises can be pretty easy after you get the right supplies, but figure that a good turtle set-up is going to run you about $150 on average.

Answer 2

A turtle definitely, You can take a fish out and play with him or anything .. you sit there and watch the dang fish talk about boring hah. I love turtles i have had many in my past and they are good pets. My favorite is the regular box turtle the land ones :]

Answer 3

Are you a teen having children? Yes, so can a spoon; fork; crayon; cat; dog; gerbil; hot stove; toothpick; child molester, match; cigarette lighter; school teacher; campfire; grill; camp counsillor/church decon, and falling from a tree. The list is ENDLESS! A tick bite could kill your child. Riding in a car is just asking for it... The question is not what is harmful, but "where is Mom?" If you wish to have a turtle your child can observe but not touch; then that's doable. Set up your fascinating water turtle, and place good locks on the tank top for those moments you have to answer the phone; change the channel/CD; answer the door, or go to the bathroom. This is YOUR pet - NOT theirs. Three years of age is teddy bear stage. I did herp viewing/shows in my home, while my daughter dashed about in her diapers! The turtles were never a threat, and she grew up without a bite/scar/stitches. She DID suffer a scratch or two, when she got older, and insisted on holding them. Easy. If the question is: "Should a 3 yr. old be able to touch/handle a pet turtle?" The answer is an emphatic no, especially for a land dwelling tortoise (even with supervision - I would vote no). These creatures tend to be docile, but can easily mistake a jelly smeared finger as a mulberry. Larger turtles/tortoises can easy bite off a finger. So, specifically, exactly: "What are you asking?" I would think common sense would supply the answer to this question. There is always the risk of Salmonella bacteria. Once your child is old enough to "pet" the turtle as you hold it for her; it should be paramount that you thoroughly clean her hands after the encounter. The turtle will be there as the child grows (a plus), and you have time to safeguard her from it, and educate her (we're talking YEARS here). Talk to your pediatrician. Talk to your vet. Informed is forewarned and forearmed. USE COMMON SENSE, and be responsible. It's NOT toxic waste - it's just a turtle! Here's a little "off the wall" for you. Once upon a time, many years ago, I raised rabbits on a wholesale scale. I ran a herd of 360 breeding animals (talking big business here). I parted with a not-for-sale, first place ribbon winning, and very expensive outstanding dwarf male pedigree mini lop to that woman who brought me a terrified child. This child was missing a finger from the nail nuckle up. A dwarf rabbit had bitten it off, and swallowed it. Someone talked this woman into buying him a Hotot dwarf bunny for a pet (these cute small rabbits are noted for their aggression). The child was rightly terrified of rabbits. That was not a bad mom, or a bad rabbit. It was an UNINFORMED Mother, and a greedy animal breeder. It took the mother several visits before he "came around," and to my chargrin - he picked one of my best bucks. So - I gave the animal to the child. That child grew to love that animal, and overcome his fear, and later, he raised and showed rabbits. Was the rabbit at fault? Was the Mom? Common sense goes only so far. Research is required before ANYone obtains a pet, and incorporates it into the home/family. Fire-eaters will tell you that it's not dangerous (they tend to do research, and take safety precautions). Point made? "Where is Mom?" I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 4

It's up to you. Both are about the same difficulty in care. Just make sure that when you have a turtle that you have a large tank. Turtles grow really fast and get big really fast.

Answer 5

that depends i have had them both. and now afterwards i have the fish. If you like to watch a turtle swim and sit in one spot go for the turtle but if you love to watch fish swim and get a variety of pretty colored fish go for the fish it all depends on you.

Answer 6

Fish becuase turtles have a bad smell to them all the time

Answer 7

Fish...turtles require special care and knowledge to provide them all they need to thrive....I adore turtles and have always wanted one..but they aren't pets..they require special care to recieve proper vitamins and minerals and environments..I prefer to see turtles in the wild and on animal planet...because it's not about what is good for me..it's about what is good for them.

Answer 8

i think that u better have a turtle.because fish die very soon.fish can't eat everythink.u must everytime check oxigen and heat of water .but turtle can be alive for long time and u can like them.they can eat vegetablaes and fruits.they can be alive in every where. and THEY WILL BE GOOD FRIEND FOR U .

Answer 9

fish are very boring to watch in there tank but if u buy a turtle
they are more interesting to watch unlike fish but i do have to
say that turtles are very expensive and they grow to massive
sizes so u would have to have lots of room i would suggest to
put them outside.
good luck chossing
cher nzreps...

Answer 10

We have both. The turtles are more interesting to watch.