Fishing Tanks: A Good Home For Pet Turtles?

Keeping a turtle in a fish tank is possible, but it depends on the type of fish and the size of the tank. Turtles are territorial and tend to seek out fish with high intelligence levels. They are also carnivorous and will eat fish, so it is important to choose fish that are compatible with turtles. Some fish that can live with turtles include ghost shrimp, apple snails, and larger fish such as goldfish and oscars. It is recommended to have a large tank, with a minimum of 40 gallons for a four-inch turtle and 75 gallons for a seven-inch turtle. The tank should also have a basking area and a turtle filter. When introducing fish to a turtle tank, it is important to do so gradually and to feed the turtle beforehand to reduce the risk of it eating the fish.

Turtle tank size requirements

Turtles require a suitable tank size to ensure their health and happiness. While it may be convenient to use an old fish tank for your turtle, it is important to consider the specific needs of these reptiles. Here are some essential guidelines for determining the appropriate tank size for your turtle:

Tank Size Relative to Turtle Size

A general rule of thumb is to provide a minimum of ten gallons of water per inch of your turtle's shell length. For example, if you have a 4-inch turtle, it should have at least 40 gallons of water to swim in. The depth of the water should be at least equal to the length of the turtle's shell, but deeper water is preferable. It is worth noting that this calculation is for the minimum amount of water required, and more space is always beneficial.

Tank Size Relative to Species

The size of your turtle tank should also take into account the specific species of turtle you own. Different species have varying adult sizes, so it is crucial to anticipate their full-grown dimensions. For instance, the common musk turtle, a popular pet due to its small size, typically grows up to 5 inches in length, so a 50-gallon tank or larger is suitable. In contrast, the Sulcata tortoise, one of the largest tortoise species kept as a pet, can reach up to 30 inches in length and weigh around 100 pounds, requiring a much larger enclosure.

Tank Features

In addition to the size of the tank, there are several other factors to consider when setting up a turtle tank. Turtles require a land area, such as a basking dock, where they can climb out of the water to warm up and absorb UVA and UVB light, essential for their metabolism and bone health. The accepted depth of water should be 2 to 3 times the length of their shell. It is also crucial to install a good quality filter to maintain clean water, as turtles produce a lot of waste.

Housing Multiple Turtles

If you have more than one turtle, it is essential to provide separate tanks or increase the size of the tank to prevent aggression and stress. For example, if you have two female red-eared sliders, which can grow up to 12 inches each, you would need two tanks of at least 135 gallons each.

In conclusion, providing the appropriate tank size for your turtle is crucial for its well-being. While a fish tank may be suitable for a small turtle species, it is important to ensure it meets the specific requirements of your pet, including sufficient water volume, depth, and land area. Remember, when it comes to turtle tanks, bigger is always better!

Fish species that are compatible with turtles

Keeping a fish and a turtle in the same aquarium can be a beautiful sight, but it doesn't always work. This is due to the carnivorous nature of some turtles, which will actively hunt and feed on the fish. However, with the right species of fish and the right tank setup, your turtle and fish can coexist peacefully.

Factors to Consider

When choosing fish to live with a turtle, it is best to consider hearty, fast, and large fish. This ensures they can survive alongside the omnivorous turtle. Here are some factors to consider:

• Speed: The fish must be faster than the turtle so that they can easily escape if the turtle decides to chase them.
• Size: Larger fish are generally safer as turtles are more likely to hunt fish that are smaller than they are.
• Temperament: It is best to go with fish that are friendly or slightly aggressive. You don't want a fish that is too friendly, as it may not recognise the threat the turtle presents. On the other hand, a very aggressive fish might try to fight the turtle.
• Water temperature: Most turtles thrive in a temperature between 75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so choose fish that can live in this range.
• Water conditions: Turtles produce a lot of waste, so choose fish that can withstand hardy water conditions.

Recommended Fish Species

• Danios are fast swimmers, hardy, and can grow up to 2-3 inches, which might be larger than a turtle's mouth. They thrive in water temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for a turtle tank.
• Livebearers refer to a range of fish species, including guppies, mollies, and platies. They reproduce quickly and give live birth, increasing the chances of baby fish survival. Despite their small size, they are extremely fast and can usually outswim turtles. Livebearers prefer a water temperature between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also suitable for turtles.
• Tiger Barbs are extremely quick, tropical fish that can withstand water temperatures up to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer to live in schools, so it is recommended to have at least four in your tank. However, they can sometimes be aggressive towards other fish, so a bigger tank is needed to prevent problems.
• Bristlenose Plecos are algae eaters that can grow up to 6 inches, making them too big for a turtle to eat. They are hardy and can survive a wide range of tank conditions, including temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also easy to care for since they feed on uneaten food and algae already in the tank, helping to keep it clean.
• Cichlids require water temperatures between 76 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for turtles. While they can live with turtles, they are very aggressive, so it is recommended to only have a few in the tank and ensure it is large enough for them to swim and avoid the turtle.

Other Considerations

Even with the right species of fish and tank setup, there is still a chance that your turtle will eat some of the fish. Therefore, it is important to only put fish in the tank that you are willing to lose. Additionally, it is recommended to add fish to the turtle tank while the turtle is still young, as younger turtles are less likely to eat fish than adults.

Turtle feeding requirements

Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods. The carnivorous portion of their diet should consist of high-grade commercial turtle or fish pellets, as well as a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates.

Animal-Based Foods

Feeding your turtle animal-based food, you should consider the following:

• The carnivorous portion of a turtle's diet should be composed of no more than two-thirds of the diet of juveniles and about half of the diet of adults.
• Pelleted foods come in several sizes. Larger pellets tend to float well and are attractive to large turtles, whereas smaller pellets tend to sink quickly and are generally accepted by juveniles and small turtles.
• Some veterinary-recommended brands are Flukers®, Mazuri®, and ZooMed®.
• Aquatic turtles in the wild eat fish, and "feeder fish" may be purchased from pet stores or bait stores. Depending on the size of the turtle, fish such as goldfish, guppies, or minnows may be offered.
• Feeding live fish can provide your turtle with mental stimulation and exercise that comes with the challenge of chasing and catching its dinner.
• Fish also can be a good source of calcium for turtles if they eat the entire fish, bones and all. However, feeder fish have recently been implicated as carriers of parasites and bacteria that can infect pet turtles, so they should be given infrequently.
• Smelt, mackerel, and other oily fish should be fed sparingly or avoided altogether, as their high-fat content may upset the nutritional balance and lead to vitamin E deficiencies.
• A predominantly fish-based diet may also lead to a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, so fish should be offered as only a small portion of aquatic turtles’ diets.
• Depending on the size of the turtle, amphibians such as tadpoles and frogs can be offered.
• Earthworms, snails, slugs, beetles, grasshoppers, moths, crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and other insects offer good nutritional content as well.
• Raw meat, fish, or chicken from the grocery store is not recommended as a food source for turtles, as it does not contain a good balance of calcium and phosphorus.
• Processed foods (such as hot dogs, lunch meat, and bread) should never be fed to any turtle species.

Plant-Based Foods

When feeding your turtle plant-based food, consider the following:

• The plant portion of the diet should be vegetables, preferably ones that float and can be left in the water for the turtle to nibble throughout the day.
• Desirable vegetables include dark, leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, carrot tops, endive, Swiss chard, kale, parsley, green beans, dandelion greens, turnip greens, and clover.
• Avoid iceberg or head lettuce, as it is composed mostly of water and contains very little nutritional value.
• Scoop any leftover food out of the tank daily to promote proper hygiene.
• The key to feeding turtles is to provide variety, as many turtles get bored and stop eating if they are fed the same foods day after day.
• Many aquatic turtles are drawn to the color red, so shredded red bell pepper (rich in vitamin A) is also good to offer.
• Safe, non-toxic aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth, water lilies, Elodea, or duckweed, can be placed in the tank.
• Always check the safety of plants before offering them to your turtle to be sure they are non-toxic.

Feeding Frequency

Feeding frequency depends on the age and size of your turtle:

• Smaller or juvenile turtles, in good health, will eat heartily every day.
• As they get older, adult turtles may be offered a good-sized portion of food every two or three days.

Turtle tank cleaning and maintenance

Daily

• Use a small net to remove any droppings or uneaten food.
• Keep the turtle's swimming water filtered by using a canister filter or power filter.

Every couple of days

Test the pH level of the turtle's swimming water; it should be between seven and eight on a scale of 1-14. Buy a test kit or bring a water sample to a pet store for testing.

At least once a week

Replace some of the water in the tank with clean water, even if it looks fine, as it could be high in ammonia or nitrite.

Every two to three weeks

• Clean out the whole tank and refresh the filter.
• Change out the bedding and wipe down the habitat with a cage cleaner or disinfectant.

When cleaning the turtle tank:

• Do not use soap or detergent—even a trace left behind can harm your turtle. Instead, use a cleaner made especially for this purpose.
• Move your turtle to a clean container that you keep only for this purpose. Do not use a food container.
• Always wash your hands after handling or cleaning up after your turtle.

Step-by-step guide to cleaning your turtle tank:

• Transplant the turtle to a bucket or bowl with enough water for swimming and something to climb on, like peat or rocks.
• Unplug and remove the tank's electric devices (filters and heaters) and place them in a sink or bucket for cleaning.
• Take out large objects like plants, large rocks, or pieces of wood and place them in a separate bucket.
• Move the tank to a cleaning area, either outside in a grassy area or in a bathtub. Ask someone to help you carry the tank.
• Empty all the water.
• If you have a substrate of small, gravelly rocks, you can leave those in the tank. If your substrate is organic matter such as peat or nut shells, discard and replace it.
• Rinse the substrate with a garden hose or bathtub faucet by filling the tank about 1/4 full with water, then emptying it fully. Repeat this process about five times, or until the water in the tank is considerably clearer.
• Prepare a cleaning solution of either 0.5 cups of chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of water, or 1/4 cup of plain distilled white vinegar per 1 gallon of water. If cleaning outdoors, use a biodegradable, plant-friendly tank cleaner instead.
• Scrub the tank with a sponge or coarse rag dipped in the cleaning solution, paying special attention to corners and spaces where two panels come together.
• Clean the devices and decorations by taking apart the filter and scrubbing the individual pieces with the cleaning solution. Rinse everything together in the bucket or tub, and leave them to dry.
• Rinse out the tank with a hose or bathtub, ensuring all residue from the cleaning agent and leftover debris is removed. Dry the outside with a clean towel.
• Return the tank to its display area and replace all objects in the tank, being careful to reinstall the electric devices securely. Try to redo the tank arrangement as closely as possible to the previous setup to prevent disorienting and causing stress for your turtle.
• Dechlorinate the new water, as tap water may contain chlorine that could be harmful to your turtle. Use an animal-safe water dechlorinator, available at pet stores.
• Refill the tank using a clean bucket filled from the bathtub faucet.
• Check the water temperature, which should be about 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-26.6 degrees Celsius).
• Use testing kits to measure chemical levels, including pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. It is important to ensure these levels are in a safe range for your turtle.
• Add one teaspoon of non-iodized salt per gallon of tank water to reduce harmful bacteria and protect your turtle from skin and shell diseases.
• Return the turtle to the tank and gently place it on its favorite resting spot.

Additional Tips:

• Clean your turtle tank once every few weeks, or more often if it appears dirty.
• Keep the water level the same as it was before cleaning.
• Keep land turtles such as box turtles in a wooden table box, as glass tanks can heat up too quickly and endanger them.
• Feed your turtle outside of the tank to reduce the amount of waste you need to manage.

Turtle behaviour and temperament

Turtles are known for their reserved nature, and their behaviour can be difficult to interpret for amateur owners. They are not affectionate pets and do not show much affection, preferring not to be handled or touched, especially on their sensitive shells. They are also very particular about their food and can be extremely picky eaters, often throwing tantrums if they don't get what they want.

Turtles are messy and investigative creatures, and they can create a mess in their tanks by digging the sand, shredding plant leaves, and moving rocks. They are also messy eaters, often leaving behind uneaten food particles, which can cause the tank to smell bad and become filled with harmful chemicals if not cleaned regularly.

Turtles are exceptional swimmers, but they still need to surface for air and can drown if they are unable to do so. They also need to dry themselves off frequently, as they cannot extract oxygen from water like fish.

Turtles have an exceptional memory and can remember small details for up to 18 months. They are also good at solving mazes and have strong memory retention abilities.

As turtles age, their metabolism slows down, and they transition from a protein-rich diet to a vegetarian diet, often eating lots of green vegetables.

Turtle behaviour varies by species. For example, sea turtles gather offshore to breed, while box turtles are known for their investigative nature and can be extremely messy.

Frequently asked questions