8 Foot Turtle Tank Questions

[skibler]

Hey guys, this is my first post but I have been reading a long time. I recently sort of "adopted" 2 red ear sliders from some one who no longer wanted them. They gave me everything, tank, heaters, and filter included. Just after setting up the tank I figured out why they did not want them. Everything but the the filter needed to be replaced. So I bought new heaters, and a new UV light.

I know two red ear sliders will not last in a 55 gallon tank long. I am planning on getting a 8x2x2 tank that will most defiantly hold them to their maximum size. I saw a tank that sort of inspired me to do this on youtube that was the same size and housed 4 turtles, and many fish. Now I know fish wont last long, but I was wondering if housing a different species of turtle, maybe a little bit smaller would work. I have a male and a female RES, so would a male of a different species work? This will be a big tank so keep that in mind. Let me know!

 

[SimonL]

Fish are "fine" depending on the size of tank and the particular fish. For example, in my 6x4x2 indoor pond, I've got a bunch of riverine cichlids as well as an oscar. At work we've got a big 1000 gal pond with koi and sliders. If you've got lots of space and quick fish, it's usually okay.

Depends on the species too, don't put fish in with softshells for example. If you're gonna mix sliders with other species, I'd try for other similar North American species like cooters, painteds, etc. I find them more aggressive than other "exotic" turtles who they out compete for food.

 

[skibler]

Thanks for the response. I defiantly dont want to even come close to overcrowding this tank, so are there any smal fish that would be fast enough to out run sliders?

 

[paul112]

Small fast fish, like Tiger Barbs, Tetras and Flying Foxes will survive for a decent time in a turtle tank, but they will inevitably be picked off. Just make sure they have many hiding places, not a big open tank, or the turtles will wear them out

Paul

 

[matt612]

i have parrot fish green terrors and flowerhorn with my turtles

 

[biguebs]

I have had success keeping Jack Dempsey fish with my community turtles twice. Currently, I have a 9" JD in with my 4 turtles in a 125. They have all been living together for about 4 yrs now, no issues. Like someone already said, if you want other kinds of turtles, stick with other N. American species. I have 2 RES, a river cooter, and a Florida red belly. Maps tend to be a little more aggressive than other N. American turtles with other turtles. But they do stay smaller, would still be ok to keep with fish.

 

[Kaerey]

I'm having great success after a few weeks with a 6x2x2 tank and having a Yellow Bellied Slider, Razorback Must, and African Sideneck together. They have plenty of room to avoid each other if they want and the sideneck and slider even bask together.

We put in 5 feeder goldfish last weekend because their previous homes all said that's what they fed them and we were adjusting their diet, and 4 are still alive and happy swimming around the entire tank. The turtles no longer go after them. But I'm assuming it's just a matter of time.

 

[skibler]

Thanks for all the great respones. So far, sliders, other N. American turtles, and African sidenecks. Any other sucsessful stories of keeping different species together?

 

[CTU2fan]

I think that about covers it. I have a Mississippi map with my yellow belly slider and they get along fine...the slider is quite a bit larger but I haven't seen any aggression.

As for fish, I'd agree with the little fast fish suggestion, a bunch of tiger barbs would look pretty cool but you may lose one now and then. Something else you could try is maybe some convicts or jewels, if you give them some caves and rockwork to duck into. In that regard I wonder if african cichlids would work too...that I haven't tried, but it would certainly brighten things up.

 

[skibler]

If I could provide a big enough tank, I would love tou build a large rocky cave area for fish to hide and escape in. This would be awesome. My two red ear sliders are in with a common pleco right now. The pleco is about 5 inches long, and they dont even mess with him.