Help me decide!

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Lepisosteus platyrhincus

Polypterus
MFK Member
Nov 9, 2008
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In the caiman den
Alright, heres the deal guys. As most of you should know i am building a caiman enclosure(if u dont their is a link in my sig to it)
Im not sure of what kind of caiman to get. Originally i was gonna go with a cuviers dwarf, but after looking at pics of schneiders im thinking i like them. Either one i get im gonna get a female. Females sizes are almost identical between the species. both max out right around 4 feet.
Which one should i get?
Also i know turtles can be kept with caiman. What kind should i get? The largest pond in the enclosure is a 110gallon tub.
RES need bigger than that dont they?

HELP ME GUYS!!:grinno:
 
You could try Guatemalan, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan or Colombian Slider if you want a turtle that is found around the area where your caiman is from. Central and South American Wood Turtles might work well too.
 
an RES should be just fine in a 110 gallon. especially since it has another pond t swim in if it wants. I would recommend a painted turtle or a pink bellied snapper. both of those would do fine in that enclosure and they are real nice looking. I am not very familiar with corcodilians but I have always likes the cuviers dwarf caimans.
 
You decided not to try the diamond?

I'd be afraid to chance a turtle, though I like the SA wood turtle idea. They're a bit less aquatic than the typical sliders too, so they'd probably like a similar habitat to your caiman if you're going with one of the dwarfs.
 
dwarf crocs are hard to find. only one i can find is $1500 and only available in florida.
and im still on the fence for diamond caiman. the guy says 4 ft for females but he hasnt had them for very long, and i dont want a 8ft monster!
alot of dwarf caiman are kept with turtles so im not too worried about it. just obviously no softshells even though they are my favorite.
A RES would be ok with only 110g? i thought they needed more. I love albino RES but i thought they were supposed to have some were around 200 gallons plus available.
I was thinking about 2 species of turtle just because of caiman liking to hide in burrows and under the water alot. Though about 2 caiman and 1 turtle but im thinking instead, 2 turtles(maybe just one) and 1 caiman. hmm
 
Lepisosteus platyrhincus;3687696; said:
dwarf crocs are hard to find. only one i can find is $1500 and only available in florida.
and im still on the fence for diamond caiman. the guy says 4 ft for females but he hasnt had them for very long, and i dont want a 8ft monster!
alot of dwarf caiman are kept with turtles so im not too worried about it. just obviously no softshells even though they are my favorite.
A RES would be ok with only 110g? i thought they needed more. I love albino RES but i thought they were supposed to have some were around 200 gallons plus available.
I was thinking about 2 species of turtle just because of caiman liking to hide in burrows and under the water alot. Though about 2 caiman and 1 turtle but im thinking instead, 2 turtles(maybe just one) and 1 caiman. hmm
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wait for some good reptile shows to come around and you will see some. I saw babies at the columbia show for $750 but they were wild caught. Just be patient with what you really want.
 
even for 750 i still can pick up 2 cuviers. heck for that price i can get 3 cuviers!
plus the shows near me (Carlisle and Hamburg) do not have any dwarf crocs. I have seen American Alligator, Schnieders, Cuviers, Nile Crocs, and Diamonds. Thats it! ive searched and searched and have found a few people that sell them but all are florida only. Im in PA

*edit* i think i remember seeing a black caiman there as well
 
Couple points...dwarf caimans like to hide most of the day, if you put small ones in there you'll never see them.

Second, I'd worry a lot less about how much water was available for a 12" turtles and worry about how much the 48", 30lb caiman has. It won't even be able to swim in a 110 pond as a adult. I'd put on of those big rectangle ponds in...
 
SimonL;3687806; said:
Second, I'd worry a lot less about how much water was available for a 12" turtles and worry about how much the 48", 30lb caiman has. It won't even be able to swim in a 110 pond as a adult. I'd put on of those big rectangle ponds in...
Click to expand...

Yeah looking at the build thread that was my thought as well. Not sure what all is available in prefab-type ponds, but a rubbermaid trough (sp?) might be something to look at. I think the ponds in there now would be fine for the turtle(s).
 
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