TURTLE QUESTION PLEASE ANSWeR!!!?

Question

can you feed a really big for his age eight month old red eared slider a guppie or any sort of fish

Answer 1

Yes..I have 4 turtles and I give them guppies and mollies as a treat once in awhile. It gives them exercise as well... trying to catch the live fish.

You can also give them

Live Foods (Carnivorous)
• Aquatic Snails/Apple Snails/Water Snails
• Crickets (Gut-Loaded)
• Earthworms, Night Crawlers
• Ghost Shrimp
• Rosey (no goldfish they are too fatty and have very little nutritional value)
• Mealworms
• Pinhead Crickets (for smaller turtles)
• Slugs
• Wax Worms, Super Worms

But please be careful

**about Wild-Caught foods, they can carry parasites that can be transferred to your turtle. Freezing Wild-Caught foods for a month will help to kill off some parasites.

I raise my own guppies and mollies to feed to them.....

Answer 2

I own a red earred slider. His name is Willie :) I get all of my info from www.redearslider.com. They have great info. There are certain type of fish that they shouldn't eat because they are too fatty. They have great info on that web site. Along with what type of veggies that they can eat. I had a friend that had a turtle and the told me that they started feeding him live fish and he stopped eating the pellets and veggies. I have not given my turtle live food yet. Hope this helps ... they should be getting mostly veggies. I only feed my turtle pellets every other day and I try to give him fruits and veggies ... only the ones listed at the web site above :)

Good Luck!

Answer 3

You can but you shouldn't. Live food of any kind can make your pet sick. Guppies are feeder fish and there for not taken care of well in pet stores and normally can carry worms that can then be switched to your turtle when they eat them.

Also if you have a turtle that young you should be very careful, it's illegal to buy a turtle that is under four inches long, and 8 months doesn't sound like it would be unless it has been over fed and is probably unhealthy.

Answer 4

Absolutey,
if he doesnt eat it then u will know hes not ready but put a few in the tank try really small feeder fish rosie reds or guppies...But not goldfish please!! They r to fatty for turtles no good for them!! and plus will be too big. I mean how big we talking ur turtle is? inch wise?

Answer 5

I feed them goldfish. But it's a small quantity and only once in a while. They like it, and it gives them exercise they wouldn't get will the pellets. I know another guy who has about 7 RES and all he feeds them is fish and the are really healthy and big.

Answer 6

yes guppies feeder fish gold fish and a lot more but dont feed turtle to much fish becuse turtle is old (WHEN ADULTS MORE FRUITS/VEGIES

Answer 7

You can feed them fish. i've heard guppies are alright, ive fed my very occiasionally feeder goldfish, but ppl here say they are bad because of their fat content. i dont see a problem with it though if its a special treat they only get on occasion. it never caused any harm to my turts.

Answer 8

This Reptile Forums site should help:

http://www.reptileforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17

Answer 9

It depends if i this 4 inches wide then it should be able to eat those if not they may be scared to eat again

Answer 10

Fresh vegetables should always be offered, regardless if your RES shows interest in them. The right combination of vegetables can offer a balance of calcium and vitamins A and K. Aquatic plants are also beneficial, especially since it would be similar to what wild RES consume. Older RES especially should consume more vegetables and aquatic plants. Expect an adult to have a diet that is about 75% plant based. Be aware that there are some vegetables that have a poor calcium / phosphorus ratio and fruits are considered to be a small and rare treat. A lack of vegetables may also cause a Vitamin K deficiency. This shortage disrupts intestinal bacteria and may reveal itself with a bleeding mouth.

Collards and other plants from the Brassica group may also inhibit iodine absorption, resulting in goiters. Though that is not completely proven, they are considered to be acceptable in small amounts. Adding kelp, which is rich in iodine, is believed to counteract any potential effects. A high-purine diet can cause high levels of uric acid. This presence can lead to gout.
Comment: There are several good on-line sources of reference material regarding turtle feeding (see bottom of page) and we encourage you to read them. You will also discover occasional conflicting information in addition to old, uninformed statements. It is your decision on how you want to interpret this content for feeding information. This feeding list and guide will receive regular updates to provide up-to-date recommendations.
Fresh vegetable matter is highly recommended over their frozen counterparts. Although frozen varieties are convenient, they are only acceptable in limited usage. Thiaminase enzymes can develop in frozen greens, which would break down thiamin and result in a Vitamin B1 deficiency.
Greens and Vegetables

Beneficial and recommended (Staple foods)
This is the main volume of an adult slider’s diet. Younger RES should be introduced to these items early, though they may show no interest. A RES could safely receive these on a daily basis. Dandelion leaves
Green Leaf lettuce
Red Leaf lettuce
Turnip greens (leaves only)


Moderate (Limited usage)
In small and occasional use, these vegetables help keep your turtle’s diet varied and balanced. These items have good nutritional value but may be potentially harmful if used in excessive quantities. Carrots
Endives, Escarole, Chicory
Green bean
Kale
Pumpkin
Romaine lettuce
Squash
Sweet potato
Zucchini


Use rarely (Not a staple)
These items have little benefit compared to other options. They may serve as filler material, a “treat”, or to add variety. These should not be offered in an unbalanced diet. They may be potentially harmful if offered in excessive quantities. Limit the amount of collards (Brassica group) offered. Collards (various)
Iceberg lettuce
Mustard greens
Red pepper
Tomato


Not recommended (Medium and high-risk foods)
These vegetables provide little or no benefit and can be harmful for RES in excessive quantities and in unbalanced diets. These items are questionable and may contain goitrogenic compounds, large concentrations of oxalic and/or phosphorus. Most of these are part of the Brassica and Chenopodiacea groups. Amaranth
Beet greens
Bok Choi / Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Celery
Chard
Chives
Mushroom
Parsley
Peas
Rhubarb
Spinach


Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants are believed to be a very healthy part of a slider’s diet. This type of vegetation would naturally be available to wild RES and should present little risk. Aquatic plants are not readily available to most keepers and may be prove to be expensive if regularly used. In the effort to offer variety, these are good choices. Amazon Swords
Anacharis*
Duckweed*
Frogbit
Hornwort
Nasturtium
Pondweed
Water Fern*
Water Hyacinth*
Water Lettuce
Water Lily*
Water Milfoil
Water Starwort

*Highly recommended

Fruits

Fruit is not a natural food wild RES would normally encounter and its use should be limited to rare and in very small portions. They are generally high in sugar and can be offered as a treat or to entice eating. Like other plant material, they should be served fresh, raw and thoroughly washed. Seeds and skins should be removed, unless noted. These should only be offered once a month or less. Avoid giving your turtle any forms of nuts, pits or seeds.

Moderate (Limited usage) Cantaloupe / Melon (rind optional)
Mango
Papaya
Prickly pear pads, fruit


Use rarely (Not a staple)Apple (shredded)
Banana
Blackberry
Blueberry
Citrus (various)
Grape
Peach - Nectarine (pits removed)
Pear (various)
Plum - Cherry (pits removed)
Strawberry
Watermelon


Herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers are commonly used on vegetables and fruits. Since a large amount of a turtle's diet should come from vegetables, it is recommended to wash them with water thoroughly and to use organic varieties. If you provide insects or worms that you