Turtle Friend?

Question

I just inherited a year-old water turtle and he looks like he could use a friend to swim with. anyone know what, if any, other aquatic or reptilian animals can live with a water turtle? as far as i've read he'll eat most other potential roommates unless it's another turtle. he's in a 20 gallon tank, water filled halfway with a rock dock for basking.

Answer 1

I would not recommend you get another turtle until you are ready for a long term and financial commitment.

Often young turtles will get along, but as they age, they will show aggression and bite. I have had turtles lose limbs! Larger turtles should not be housed with hatchlings since the hatcglings will be come their toy or meal.

If you do get another turtle, if they start fighting you'll need to have a seperate set-up ready to go. This is the costly part.

I have many turtles that live solitary set-ups and I have turtles that are friendly. But it all depends on the species and ach turtle's perosnality.

Generally, RES (red eared sliders) are peacable when young and get VERY aggressive as they appraoch maturity at around 4". You did not mention your turtle species, so it jard for me to suggest one.

Cooters are among the friendliest and calm turtles there are. My pair lets me pet it and hold it without struggling to get away - that's their nature. However, cooters get very large, 10-15" when full grown. So, you'd need a pond or a huge tank. Although they are very friendly, they are easil picked on by other turtles, like a RES.

A 20g tank is very small and only good for a hatchling and it will be too small within a year for one turtle. You will need at least a 50G tank for the next couple of years and likely a 75G or larger when your turtle is full grown. If you want to add another turtle, you should add another 20-30G per turtle. Good luck!

Cheers,
JJ ;)

Answer 2

Vickey haecky has something to say on this subject. I always thought my Myrtle seemed lonely too but I know better!

"Usually, turtles/tortoises that people acquire as babies or juveniles, get along well. However, as turtles/tortoises mature, and their hormones kick in, more often
than not they will start to bicker and pester each other, and then you are stuck with one setup and a number of turtles that don't get along.

Your turtle is NOT lonely.
Your turtle does NOT need a companion to be happy.

Turtles/tortoises do enjoy company of other turtles/tortoises of the same species, and, of course, they enjoy the mating game. However, unless you are willing to provide a large enough enclosure for the animals to hide from each other, or separate them during breeding season, or maybe even for most of the time, don't get another turtle/tortoise.Trust me, I've been there and done that.

Turtles/tortoises can be successfully managed in (breeding) groups of the same (or similar) species (mixing species is possible but not recommended because of different requirements), usually housing a small number of males with a larger number of females."

The reason I got my first RES was because she was in a tank with two other turtles and she would constantly bite them and attack them. Turtles are just fine when they are solitary.

Answer 3

Your turtle isn't lonley. Don't get another turtle because you might end up with dozens of baby turtles and you will have to buy a huge tank for the both of them.

Just give your turtle a lot of attention. He might like somthing moving in the tank, like a bubbling air stone. My turtle loves swimming throught the bubbles!

If you want to give you turtle interaction, just put in some water plants.

Answer 4

Ask at the pet store which Turtles can live together in the same tank. A Vet would know also. Good Luck to you and your Turtle friend!

Answer 5

well turtles are very nice pets i use to have one he was really old when he passed, i saved him after being run over by a truck. anyway the only suitable animal is another turtle.because it will eat fish. hope this helps


u can find turtles at,flemarkets,aquatic shops

Answer 6

Turtles are fine by themselves. They get more attention!!
They can be very territorial at that age

But if you are determined

RES, Yellowbellies, maps all get along. But watch for fighting