Mud turtle care

[Mrs. Nicky]

My pics are just really bad but I think I have a mud turtle

***Jack Dempsey Cichlid Lover***

 

[krichardson]

I think we are getting somewhere now and it might not be a snapper.

 

[Mrs. Nicky]

Over all my turtle shell is smooth but I can also feel rows of raised texture and his face has the stripes

***Jack Dempsey Cichlid Lover***

 

[Mrs. Nicky]

Ok so how should my tank be set up for him? Do I need a filter? If so what kind? I am using sand for the substrate, is sand ok? What should I feed the little guy?

***Jack Dempsey Cichlid Lover***

 

[Siddons11]

Sand is fine. Musk turtles don't need a basking lamp but they do need to be able to get out of the water. They will eat fish pellets or just about anything. You will need a filter but what kind depends on the water level the tank will be at.

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[Mrs. Nicky]

Where should I keep the water level. Here is another pic but not a very good one. I am almost sure its a mud


***Jack Dempsey Cichlid Lover***

 

[Mrs. Nicky]

I just googled musk turtles and that is 100% what I have! Thank goodness. I would be scared of a snapping turtle

***Jack Dempsey Cichlid Lover***

 

[krichardson]

Well I'm glad you got it sorted out and now know what you have.Good luck with the little guy.

 

[Mrs. Nicky]

Thanks. Does anyone know how much water should be in my 20 gallon long for him? How much land does he need? For now I have a mound of sand on one end and about 3 inches of water on the other end. I put decor in the water so he can have something to hold on to. I have fish filters but to use those I would need to put quite a bit of water in the tank. If I would be better off getting another filter then what is a good and brand that wont break the bank? Can he live in a regular aquarium with fish?

***Jack Dempsey Cichlid Lover***

 

[Samaka]

They are usually peaceful with fish and yes deeper water levels are ok as long as the current isn't too strong and they have things to climb on and hold on to like you have already provided, because they prefer to walk under water then to swim. Check out youtube vids with them inside planted tanks with fish. They don't mess up the plants like other turtles either. The first pics you posted looked like a common sapper to me too but then I was sure it was a musk turtle. Very cure little guy and a nice find, hatchlings cost about $20 and you can keep several together, no problems. 20 gals is perfect for him and maybe a friend.