Leo the fst

[tlindsey]

Ok, so I’m not just going crazy then from looking at too many pictures. Lol

I won’t send my guy back, I love this little turt<3
But..... This is the exact reason I don’t trust buying animals online. And now that I’m looking the store up I’m seeing more and more upset customer reviews.
At this point I’m just happy I received A turtle, that he is alive, and seemingly healthy from my untrained eye.
Just a bit upset, I feel lied to. I’d like to chalk it up to a mistake, but reading reviews makes me think otherwise.

Personally I like the way Leo looks. I would keep him also.

 

[MrsE88]

It took a few days but Leo has finally felt safe enough to start basking. Before he would only hide under an algae blanket with his little head sticking out.
Now I can walk very slowly up to his tank and he stays put.


I also caught him under the sand in the bottom of the tank for the first time.


He is still shy, but getting more comfortable everyday.

 

[monkeybike]

Was just watching a spiney soft shell swimming around the other day at Epcot in one of the ponds by world showcase.

 

[piranhaman00]

Regardless, I think he is great looking, great pick up!

 

[MrsE88]

Regardless, I think he is great looking, great pick up!

Thank you

I am absolutely loving him.
Half the time it’s like playing “where is Waldo”

There he is! Haha

I suspect he might be trying to ambush my fry. Little butt better not eat them

 

[tlindsey]

Thank you

I am absolutely loving him.
Half the time it’s like playing “where is Waldo”
View attachment 1347613
There he is! HahaView attachment 1347614

I suspect he might be trying to ambush my fry. Little butt better not eat them

lol

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Well, I feel kinda dumb.
I’ve been doing so much reading, looking at tons of pictures, not to mention crazy busy..... so I’ll let all that be my excuse.

I think I was sent the wrong turtle.
Can anyone give me their opinion?
View attachment 1346649

My guy is top left(Leo) top right is a Florida spinny hybrid.
Bottom left is a Florida softshell. Bottom right is a spinny softshell.

I feel like he looks like a hybrid. Thoughts?

I'm leaning towards hybrid, some of the turtle farmers keep floridas and spineys in the same ponds (along with other turtle species).

As far as softshelks go, they tend to prefer a higher protein diet than most turtles, which is probably why mine (a spiny) wasn't as fond of the pellets as other turtles were, instead he sucked (no exaggeration !) fish and shrimp in, and for some reason always spat the heads out.
They tend to be a little more shy about leaving the water than other turtles

 

[MrsE88]

I'm leaning towards hybrid, some of the turtle farmers keep floridas and spineys in the same ponds (along with other turtle species).

As far as softshelks go, they tend to prefer a higher protein diet than most turtles, which is probably why mine (a spiny) wasn't as fond of the pellets as other turtles were, instead he sucked (no exaggeration !) fish and shrimp in, and for some reason always spat the heads out.
They tend to be a little more shy about leaving the water than other turtles

Yes I’m pretty convinced he’s a hybrid.
He is definitely shy about being caught out of the water, but will swim up to the glass to bag for food now

 

[MrsE88]

Ok, so I know I should downsize my running tanks if I can. I’m sell all the stock in my 65g. I just had the thought to put Leo in it. Of course that will mean making a basking area up top and that’s not an issue, but.... is a 65g too tall for a baby turtle? I’d want the whole tank filled so his basking spot will be out of the tank. Not inside like it currently is in the 20g L.

Right now his tank only has 6-7” of water. I don’t want him to drowned.

Thoughts?

 

[MrsE88]

New idea....

My husband suggested moving our Helmeted turtle into the 65 instead, then Leo can go into the 40g B that he is currently in. This does make more sense now that I think about it. The helmeted turtle (Raphael) is just over 4” and more suited for a bigger tank anyway.

So now the planning begins! I need to figure out how I want to set up the dry dock/basking area. I do still have glass left over from my sump baffles.....