Florida Soft Shell Turtles

[MFM]

Are there any special requirements for these guys? Do they need perches to sit on? Do they get diseases very often if well cared for? How large do they get? Anything else I should know?

Thanks, and please post opinions.

 

[coura]

They get huge, females 20 inch plus, they need monster setups, they will apreciate if you give them space of the water and for females is obligatory a egg laying area, they are hardy if the water is kept clean and at warm temps, you should get a yearling or a older one, not a baby and if you respect the obligatory not feeding big fish to softshells rule, other wise if you ask me they are very fun to keep.

 

[MFM]

Is 3 inches a good size to start off with? Are the little guys hard to take care of?

 

[coura]

Is 3 inches a good size to start off with? Are the little guys hard to take care of?

Yes it is and no they are not if you have the large setup they need, keep it alone, water very clean and warm.

 

[devder1]

Yes it is and no they are not if you have the large setup they need, keep it alone, water very clean and warm.

fish are a no-no?

 

[coura]

fish are a no-no?

If you have a HUGE setup and your not keep unique valuable fish, you can either try very small easy breeding ones like mosquito fish or bigger peacefull fast swiming species like many barbs. But be prepared, from time to time its inevitable that some will get wounded, scared or killed.