Fly River Turtle w/ fish

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Chris Anderson;2976116; said:
Actually, not only is this species naturally found in both fresh and slightly salt water, it is commonly recommended to add small amounts of aquarium salt to FRT water to help prevent fungal infection and infections of sores/lesions. Here are a few references for you regarding it (just search "salt" in any of the pdfs/links):
Thanks everyone for all the recommendations. I'm leaning toward a school of some larger rainbowfish species (perhaps Red, Boeseman's and some other species) and one or two New Guinea or Silver Datnoids. I've been told that some of the rainbowfish are capable of living in slightly saline waters, does anyone know of particular species that they know are? I've read that the red rainbowfish are for sure. Anyone know about the Boeseman's or other species that could curvive higher pH?

Thanks,

Chris

I've 2 FRTs and I have them for years.
I have never added salt into their water before and they have no health problems or shell problems

The key is good clean water. As long as the water conditions are good, they won't get fungal infections. Sores/Lesions occur when the FRT scratch itself against something sharp so quartz sand are a huge no no for them.

If you really want to add salt, normal aquarium salt will do. You don't need to use Marine Salt.
 
Chris Anderson;2976116; said:
Actually, not only is this species naturally found in both fresh and slightly salt water, it is commonly recommended to add small amounts of aquarium salt to FRT water to help prevent fungal infection and infections of sores/lesions. Here are a few references for you regarding it (just search "salt" in any of the pdfs/links):

http://www.jstor.org/pss/1564205
http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_009_insculpta_v1_2008.pdf
http://aerg.canberra.edu.au/reprints/2007_Georges_Alacs_etal_report%20to%20Oilsearch_Part_A_v6.pdf
http://www.reptilia.net/articulos_ing/033.pdf
http://books.google.com/books?id=rB...vM3hDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3
http://www.carettochelys.com/carettochelys/behavior.htm
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reptiles/turtles/FlyRiverTurtle.php
http://cameronmccormick.blogspot.com/2008/01/pig-nosed-turtle.html
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-fly_river_turtle.htm
http://www.flyriverturtle.com/turtle-maintenance.html

Thanks everyone for all the recommendations. I'm leaning toward a school of some larger rainbowfish species (perhaps Red, Boeseman's and some other species) and one or two New Guinea or Silver Datnoids. I've been told that some of the rainbowfish are capable of living in slightly saline waters, does anyone know of particular species that they know are? I've read that the red rainbowfish are for sure. Anyone know about the Boeseman's or other species that could curvive higher pH?

Thanks,

Chris
Very good combo;) And to complete your awnser regarding salt, I will say that is not unherd of them entering full sea water estuarine areas. Also I would go with sea salt, as brakish water has much more minerals then NaCl, its more complete and of better quality. Also arent dats potencialy agressive?
 
Chris Anderson;2976116; said:
Actually, not only is this species naturally found in both fresh and slightly salt water, it is commonly recommended to add small amounts of aquarium salt to FRT water to help prevent fungal infection and infections of sores/lesions.

Yes in the same way i put salt in all my freshwater tanks to prevent the same thing, but nowhere near brackish conditions as someone suggested.

Braskish is a moderatyle high salinity and would in no way suit an FRT, yes some salt, but not brackish levels, the same as i recommend with all fish.

Stick with the Freshwater setup and species, none of this brackish nonsense.
 
Hello Chris. I know you from the Chameleon Hobby. Just thought I would jump into your thread and Say Hello after seeing you join and post here.

rediz1.jpg


There are many FRT keepers here. I've seen some very nice tanks. One especially nice one with a large school of 50 Tiger Barbs.

Unfortunately as far as many common fish that you might want to keep with FRT, near 90F is higher than most would handle. If you lowered it slightly your options would vastly increase.

Also, be aware. This site isn't called MFK for noting. You are likely going to get some outrageous suggestions for fish to keep with your FRT. And consider that your tank is a mere 150 gallons, eliminating Gar and Arowanas.

Look into Tiger Barbs (Also note that there are several captive bred variations of Tiger Barbs, so While you can keep just the one species of fish, you can have colour and pattern variation in the fish within the school). This schooling fish grows to almost 3" and will school to avoid your swimming FRT.

Rainbowfish would be another good choice, many species are native to Papua New Guinea, and would share similar habitats as FRTs. They are extremely active, constantly moving, and aggressive feeders. They are easily satisfied on flake or small pellet food, fed several times daily. An automatic Feeder will keep them well fed throughout the day, so that they are less inclined to bother the FRT when you feed him. Most larger species tend to swim from in the middle upper region of the tank. You can mix species together. Be sure to have a large group of each though. I would put a very minimum of 12 in. Though triple that would do well.

All from Papua New Guinea:
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_boese.php
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Melanotaenia_lacustris.php
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_praecox.php
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Melanotaenia_parkinsoni.php

Also you should know that if the Rainbows breed, they can Hybridise, which is frowned upon. Cull the fry unless you can be certain they are of pure species.

What does your salinity measure? (Be sure to buy a Hydrometer that measures well into the low end of the scale). The rainbowfish will tolerate some salt and if slowly raised could adapt to more significant amounts, but if you have it too high, you're limiting yourself to brackish fish (in which case, a school of Monos (fingerfish) would be really cool). Have you tried keeping it with very little salt? For fungal and Bacteria infections, Pimafix and Melafix are great for treating or preventing. They are natural tea tree oils and work well on FRTs.
 
Nice pics....

Will Hayward;2977408; said:
There are many FRT keepers here. I've seen some very nice tanks. One especially nice one with a large school of 50 Tiger Barbs.

:D

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thanatong;2977050; said:
you have 2 FRT together?

Yup. And they don't fight.
One's about 11" other is about 8"

I wouldn't advise this to everyone though because not every pairing work.

My friends tried but so far all didn't work out and their FRTs had be kept in seperate tanks.

And just nice I have a pair too. 1 is male and the other female.

I think I have been lucky so far that both have not tried chewing on wires or tubings etc nor do they try nipping the fishes.
 
Aquai;2977269; said:
Yes in the same way i put salt in all my freshwater tanks to prevent the same thing, but nowhere near brackish conditions as someone suggested.

Braskish is a moderatyle high salinity and would in no way suit an FRT, yes some salt, but not brackish levels, the same as i recommend with all fish.

Stick with the Freshwater setup and species, none of this brackish nonsense.

Dude, read the posts! :) He is putting marine salt in, and posted sources that explain FRT's go in and out of brackish water in the wild.
 
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