Hello. Any resident turtle experts out there?

[Dicky]

First off hi. Stoked to have found this site. I'm new to boards and this is my first post. Right now I'm keeping two tanks. I have a 75 gallon tank with 5 silver dollar sized red bellies I've raised since they were nickle sized. Funny lil guys. I also recently got/rescued two florida soft shell turtles and some kinda hard shell turtle from my nephew because he lost interest in em. Apparently he likes kittens more. oh well.

I have had piranahs and oscars over the years but never turtles. The research I have done is they need huge tanks and great filtration and soft shells are meant to be some of the harder turtles to keep. Right now they are in a 40 gallon tank with with a pair of half dollar sized tiger oscars and a 6" pleco. I'm looking at 125 to 150 gallon tanks to move the whole gang over to. the 40 gallons current filtration system is a Eheim 2217 and a Aquaclear 110. Water temp is between 78 and 80. Plan to use the same filter set up on the 150 but adding an additional 2217. Open to suggestions on that. I've never had a tank this large before.

Here's the problem. The small soft shell has developed a spot on his back and it is growing quickly. Started a daily treatment of Melafix and stepping up with a little extra Stress Coat. Getting a lot of mixed info on shell rot so if someone here has experience or a good reference I really appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

First two pics show the ominous spot on the small soft shell. The third pic is the unknown hard shell turtle. Anyone know what it is?

 

[cyclura]

soft shells are prone to fungal infections on their shells if kept in un-filtered or not filtered enough water. Can you have a vet look at it?

 

[Dicky]

Hey Cyclura. Thanks for getting back to me. I don't think filtration is the problem in this case as the tank is very filtered. The Aquaclear alone is said to filter up to a 110 gallon tanks and the Eheim is meant to filter up to 160 gallon tanks. So combined on that 40 gallon the water is really clean. I've been doing weekly water changes until the spot appeared now im doing it twice a week. Thanks for the vet suggestion. Been on my mind but was holding out on that as the last resort. Money is tight for most of these days and these turtles aint paid for nothing so far... dead beats

I guess my next step is to find a good turtle doc in NYC. Anyone out there have any recommendations?

 

[Louie]

Dicky send me a PM I can't seem to PM you.

 

[CTU2fan]

I think the other turtle is a snapper...how big is it?

 

[ceeej31]

I think the other turtle is a snapper...how big is it?

looks more like a mud turtle to me
dicky, i would start looking for more than a single 150, soft shells can be extremely territorial as adults and usually do best kept solo

 

[SimonL]

I think the other turtle is a snapper...how big is it?

It's Musk turtle...and a male. I'd treat the shell ulcer with Fungus Cure. Is it in with the Musk? Softshell get scratched up and infected very easily when housed with other species.

 

[Dicky]

I think the other turtle is a snapper...how big is it?

The hardshell is the size of an oddly shaped softball.

 

[Dicky]

looks more like a mud turtle to me
dicky, i would start looking for more than a single 150, soft shells can be extremely territorial as adults and usually do best kept solo

Not sure my floor can take a 200 gallon tank let alone 3 of em. Starting to wonder if anybody out there wants some turtles.... I'm learning quickly that turtles are a pain in the butt.

How big is this can of worms?

 

[Dicky]

It's Musk turtle...and a male. I'd treat the shell ulcer with Fungus Cure. Is it in with the Musk? Softshell get scratched up and infected very easily when housed with other species.

Off to research Fugus Cure now. The Musk turtles is always swimming and slamming into the softshells. So I see your point. Not sure if he is trying to kill me or if he really likes me as he swims like his life depends on it towards me as a approach the tank. Or maybe he just always hungry.... He runs away when I put my hands in the tank.

I really like em but it's sounding more and more like I wont be able to keep them all. They do all seem to get along fine now. The hang out, never fight and actually all pile up together on the driftwood. I guess that changes when the get older?