Chinese Softshell Turtle

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thefishguy7

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 19, 2007
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There is a classified for a softshell turtle and was thinking of getting it. I have some questions before I just jump onto this:

Is 90$ a good price for one in the 8-9" range?
Are they fully aquatic/can they be kept fully aquatic?
Do they need special lights?
Will one be okay in a 180 gallon tank for 3 years?
Can it be kept with an arowana, large cichlids, and various bottom dwellers? (tank is a little overstocked, but I have strong filtration and do bi-weekly water changes)
Will they eat pellets?
Is there any type of food they love in particular?
If I get it, is there anything in particular I should know about it?

Obviously, I'm not an expert with turtles and I appreciate your help, thanks in advance!
 
-Is 90$ a good price for one in the 8-9" range?
Based on problems below, no.

-Are they fully aquatic/can they be kept fully aquatic?
I keep mine fully aquatic, but with ledges near the surface to rest on.

-Do they need special lights?
I don't use UV light on mine because he doesn't bask enough to get benefit, and he gets plenty Vitamin D3 from his diet.

-Will one be okay in a 180 gallon tank for 3 years?
10 Gallons per inch is recommended. So yes, but read the answer to the next question.

-Can it be kept with an arowana, large cichlids, and various bottom dwellers? (tank is a little overstocked, but I have strong filtration and do bi-weekly water changes)
They are skilled hunters. Fish make up a large part of their diet, expect all your fish to be killed, or at least heavily injured. Chinese softies must be kept solitary.

-Will they eat pellets?
Reptomin pellets are a good brand to feed, but fresh high protein foods such as frozen fish, market shrimp and bloodworm are good choices.

-Is there any type of food they love in particular?
Fish, meat, insects...their diet is mainly protein.

-If I get it, is there anything in particular I should know about it?
A sand substrate is preferred as they like to dig and bury themselves. There has to be nothing sharp in the tank, they are delicate animals and can easily scratch themselves leading to infection. They are also extremely vicious when handled, they will bite and scratch hard.

Paul
 
^^ I agree, thanks Paul, saved me from typing it lol.
 
Thanks for the info! Not the turtle for me...I'll set-up a tank for a smaller species of turtle. I'll have it with some fast schooling fish. Any ideas on what type of turtle I should get? (Does not have to be fully aquatic) I want it to have a small max size of less than 8", and I want something that isn't insanely rare.

Thanks again!
 
Mud turtles of any type are probably a good bet.
 
Cool, never thought of musk turtles! I can catch them by me, are there any laws or regulations which prohibit me from catching one and putting it in captivity?
 
Go for a mud or musk as suggested above :) They aren't as good at catching fish as sliders or softies, in nature they prefer to troll along the bottom feeding on aquatic insects and plants.

Good luck man, turtles are great herps with plenty of amusing antics.

Paul
 
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