I am the owner of 3 aquatic turtles. As crazy as it sounds, even though I hate the look of algae in fish tanks, I find it good looking in my turtle's tanks. In a tank with a RESxYBS and a wild caught western painted, the RESxYBS is developing algae on his shell, but the painted is not. Is this algae harmful, beneficial, or does it matter. If it is harmful, can I just take my turt out and scrub it off with a toothbrush or something? He is extremely tame, so it would not be a problem. Also, why is the painted not developing algae? Something to do with being wild caught perhaps?
Algae on turtle shell bad???
- Thread starter Kobeclone
- Start date
I don't think its harmful or beneficial. Maybe it is beneficial at making the turtle feel more camoflauge but I doubt it.
It's fine for your turtle to have algae on it's shell. Like Ryan said it helps camouflage them in the wild. When I kept Musk Turtles outdoors they were always covered in algae. Most basking turtles don't have as bad as algae problems as most other water turtles because they bask for many hours a day which usually dries up the algae and kills it.
Also their shells are pretty sensitive, I would think a brush might really stress them. If you want the algae off I'd suggest a soft cloth to wipe off the worst of it but if you don't mind the look of it it's not harmful to the turts. I voted "doesn't matter" but I wonder if it wouldn't help keep the nitrates down in the tank water?
Only thing I would be worried about is why the algae is there. I would think a slider wouldn't develop the algae, at least not to the extent you are talking about, since it basks.
Wouldn't the basking dry out the algae and kill it?
Correct me if I'm wrong, this is just a guess...
Wouldn't the basking dry out the algae and kill it?
Correct me if I'm wrong, this is just a guess...
If they're getting plenty of UV light that will really boost the algae growth. Basking will knock it down some but good lighting keeps it coming right back.