Chinese Softshell Turtle

[thefishguy7]

Jersey has some pretty lame turtle laws. Definitely check with your Fish & Game Department first.

I'll look into it a little.

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

Thanks.
Would a diet of veggies and pellets be good? I can get insects and worms in the summer too. (+ a constant supply of convict fry)
Do they need heat lamps or will my florescent bulb be okay? (I'll keep the water temp at 75)

 

[thefishguy7]

ttt

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Thanks.
Would a diet of veggies and pellets be good? I can get insects and worms in the summer too. (+ a constant supply of convict fry)
Do they need heat lamps or will my florescent bulb be okay? (I'll keep the water temp at 75)

Depends on which species you get. Muds tend to eat more veggies then Musks do. I like to provide water plants like Anacharis in case they choose to nibble on some greenery. They don't really need a heat lamp but it doesn't hurt to give them a place to bask if they choose. My musk turtle hasn't used his basking spot since he was a baby but I still provide it for him. Just make sure the water is in the high 70's and you should be fine. And good luck getting them to eat convict fry. They're smart and just too darn fast for slow swimming water turtles. I tried it once, and now I have a female convict living with my musk turtle.

 

[thefishguy7]

Depends on which species you get. Muds tend to eat more veggies then Musks do. I like to provide water plants like Anacharis in case they choose to nibble on some greenery. They don't really need a heat lamp but it doesn't hurt to give them a place to bask if they choose. My musk turtle hasn't used his basking spot since he was a baby but I still provide it for him. Just make sure the water is in the high 70's and you should be fine. And good luck getting them to eat convict fry. They're smart and just too darn fast for slow swimming water turtles. I tried it once, and now I have a female convict living with my musk turtle.

Thanks, I don't know exactly what I'll end up catching, but it will most likely be a musk turtle. Expect an "ID me" thread in mid-spring or early summer.

I think that I'll just use my florescent strip light and no heat lamp because you said it's not necessary for adults. I'll just have some dry land for him and keep the water temp at 75 degrees.

Are there any pellets that they will except like repto-min or even cichlid gold?

As for the convicts, I can snip one of their fins causing them to swim oddly, making it easier for the turtle to catch.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Are there any pellets that they will except like repto-min or even cichlid gold?

I feed my musk turtle both of these as well as shrimp pellets.

 

[thefishguy7]

I feed my musk turtle both of these as well as shrimp pellets.

Thanks...now I have a good idea of what to do. I'll just continue researching until I get him/her.