Turtles Anyone?

[Joshy]

I was wondering if anyone on here has any turtles or snappers?
I am about to come into ownership of 4 baby musk turtles.

Would be good to hear any advice.

Thanks

 

[Crispy]

I was wondering if anyone on here has any turtles or snappers?
I am about to come into ownership of 4 baby musk turtles.

musk turtles habits are similar to snappers. They like to be on the bottom of the tank almost exclusively. I fed mine goldfish all summer and he was fine. They definitely like underwater shelters.

 

[Davo86]

I was wondering if anyone on here has any turtles or snappers?
I am about to come into ownership of 4 baby musk turtles.

Would be good to hear any advice.

Thanks

I don't keep any, but I do sell them at work

They are one of the smallest species you can buy, normally not getting any bigger than 4inches,
They seem to prefer very little or even no current at all and will usually spend at least 90% of their time in the water so a spacious swimming area is needed.
IMO It is also best to use a fairly deep sand substrate for them to bury into, and have one or two quick growing plants for them to pick at if they choose,

I don't personally believe in feeding them goldfish as they are basicly all fat and no nutrition.
Reptomin is possibly the best dried food source available which contains both vitamin D and calcium that they require.
This can be supplemented with a mixture of bloodworm, daphnia, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and when they are a bit bigger, prawns and sand eels as well as any fruit or veggies that they will take, try them on things like green lettuce, (not iceberg) peas, etc

 

[Joshy]

Thanks to both of you. From what you said and my research, it sounds like I have the best of both worlds in my eyes. As in staying small and spending a lot of time in water. I cant wait to collect them on saturday.

They are only the size of a £2 coin at the moment!

 

[Joshy]

Oh and what do you feed them on at work Davo?

 

[three-fingers]

Oh and what do you feed them on at work Davo?

We have them at my work too, and they get fed about 50/50 turtle pellets and small frozen fish (you can just cut up bigger fish if it's easier).

There's always some live plants (just elodea) in the tank too that they nibble on, but don't eat too much.

They occasionally get frozen krill and bloodworm too if there's ant left from feeding the fish.

 

[Betta5]

I am not sure how in debth you have researched them (im sure you have, not saying you havnt)

what kind of set up do you have, like basking spots, uv lights, filters,etc

just wondering

also some pics when you get them would be nice, they are so cute

 

[Joshy]

No offence taken.

The setup is in a 100L aquarium – but only about 10 inches of water.
The water is turned over with a fluval 2+ and of course heated to 27/28C
I have two 15W T8 tubes running, one is a standard GroLux and one is a 5.0UVB ReptiGlo.
There is a giant piece of mangrove reaching high above the water line, that the turtles will be able to climb up all the branches of (takes up the whole tank)
Will also have a turtle dock or similar thing from mangrove soon.

And just to avoid the question, yes it is all cycled.

Thanks for the advice three-fingers, I think I am going to enjoy feeding these chaps.
I will of course get photos up as soon as I get them Saturday.

I know I may get grilled for this, but what do you all recon of some guppies or platys in the water, to provide optional food for them and in the hope they will breed?

This is exactly what they are and the exact size - how cute!

 

[shelaghfishface]

oh nice one Josh,nice to see people adventure into new things,hope it all goes well, my son wants turtles, but im not keen at all ( i want a beareded dragon )..so i`ll wait till i think hes not looking

happy new year
shelagh and the gang
xxxxxxxxx


edit.. the pic hadnt loaded by the time i replied, but i just saw them.. oh how cute are they!!

 

[Davo86]

Oh and what do you feed them on at work Davo?

pretty much what i said above,
Reptomin as a staple then 3-4 times a week they get a frozen food block or some diced prawn, as well as any plants from the plant tanks that look too puny to sell

The water is turned over with a fluval 2+

You may need to double-up on filtration as they grow

 

[Betta5]

No offence taken.

The setup is in a 100L aquarium – but only about 10 inches of water.
The water is turned over with a fluval 2+ and of course heated to 27/28C
I have two 15W T8 tubes running, one is a standard GroLux and one is a 5.0UVB ReptiGlo.
There is a giant piece of mangrove reaching high above the water line, that the turtles will be able to climb up all the branches of (takes up the whole tank)
Will also have a turtle dock or similar thing from mangrove soon.

And just to avoid the question, yes it is all cycled.

Thanks for the advice three-fingers, I think I am going to enjoy feeding these chaps.
I will of course get photos up as soon as I get them Saturday.

I know I may get grilled for this, but what do you all recon of some guppies or platys in the water, to provide optional food for them and in the hope they will breed?


This is exactly what they are and the exact size - how cute!

WOW its nice to see someone who has thought about where their turtles are going to live and made them a nice healthy home. To many times do i see 2 tiny turtles in a 3 gallon aquarium with no filter, basking spot, UV lighting etc then deformed turtles that dont live very long.

They are going to be super cute and good luck with them, and happy new year

 

[rlhirth]

not sure if this post is just for musk turtles or not... but i have an african soft shell turtle... i had him sence he was a hatchling (still with the baby tooth) hes around a 7 inch shell length right now... awesome turtle i actually had 2 which i named (Elly and Phent) (get it Elephent) but Elly didn't make it past a few weeks sadly... but Phent is growing to be a big boy...

i also ha experience with the american snapper... my uncle has keeped them for years.... his biggest is about a 2 foot shell length... its huge and kind of scary... hes harmless because hes so friendly but he does have a thing with trying to get out of his tank.... right now he's in a 300 gallon aquarium but will soon be upgrading... and guess who gets the tank

i am also currently fostering 2 red ear spliders... a breeding pair... but i think i have a new home for them.... there names are Lucky and Ducky...

 

[Joshy]

oh nice one Josh,nice to see people adventure into new things,hope it all goes well, my son wants turtles, but im not keen at all ( i want a beareded dragon )..so i`ll wait till i think hes not looking

happy new year
shelagh and the gang
xxxxxxxxx


edit.. the pic hadnt loaded by the time i replied, but i just saw them.. oh how cute are they!!

Thanks Shelagh, i send my regards and hope you all have a happy new year.
Maybe i'll take some photos just for your little boy after Saturday.

It is definably an adventure haha

 

[Joshy]

WOW its nice to see someone who has thought about where their turtles are going to live and made them a nice healthy home. To many times do i see 2 tiny turtles in a 3 gallon aquarium with no filter, basking spot, UV lighting etc then deformed turtles that dont live very long.

They are going to be super cute and good luck with them, and happy new year

Thanks, that means a lot to me.
I am going all out on dishing out for nice foods for them as well.

Even i wish i had a bigger tank for them (and more hehe)
But if these chaps do indeed live for 30-50 years, theres plenty of time for that!

Happy new year to you too!


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rlhirth, my girlfriend is mad on turtles now, i can see me (us) following your route with them!

You could be useful to me after Saturday if i have any questions or problems!


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Davo i have taken note, thanks.

 

[Joshy]

Got them yesterday, and i am in love!!

Possibly the best thing so far in the hobby for me!!