I'm setting him up a 20 long for now half dry sand and half water with a sand bottom
(with enough sand to cover him) and we will see how this goes.
(with enough sand to cover him) and we will see how this goes.
soft shell turtle HELP!
- Thread starter IanTOT
- Start date
I have two florida soft shell turtles, my first turtles too, both given by my friend. This was all new to me. Fortunately the people of mfk and the internet, the turtles are doing great! I have had for almost a year now. For food, i have given them small minnows or guppies ( once a month ), boiled chicken, frozen blood worms, turtle pellets, small veggie algae wafers, worms, shrimp, aquatic turtle diet ( a variety of shrimp veggies fish etc packed in frozen small cubes ). Currently house in a 55 gallon, 3/4 filled with water with sand substrate. Cork bark for a dock and driftwood at different sizes for them to rest between swims. I dont see them bask but i do leave the uvb and heat bulbs on if they do plan to.
Wish you the best and good luck!
Oh the 55 gallon is only temp. I do have a pond for them just waiting for a better filration for the pond. Sighs >:l
Wish you the best and good luck!
Oh the 55 gallon is only temp. I do have a pond for them just waiting for a better filration for the pond. Sighs >:l
maybe it was a turt born on dry land away from water deep enough to swim in and it doesnt know wat to do if it is in the water
While I have a spiny softshell turtle, I imagine a florida isn't too much different in keeping... Here's a full shot of its tank when first set up (20 gallon long):
I've since taken the turtle dock out, it was never used (and I've given away the red ear). Keep a sandy bottom, they love to bury themselves and just leave their heads out like this:
When they get used to things, they'll spend much less time hiding. Mine follows me around and begs now. The "shallow" side of the tank was just deep enough where my turtle could comfortably stand and breathe without swimming.
I feed a variety of pellets, mealworms, and there's a breeding colony of guppies that share the tank.
I've since taken the turtle dock out, it was never used (and I've given away the red ear). Keep a sandy bottom, they love to bury themselves and just leave their heads out like this:
When they get used to things, they'll spend much less time hiding. Mine follows me around and begs now. The "shallow" side of the tank was just deep enough where my turtle could comfortably stand and breathe without swimming.
I feed a variety of pellets, mealworms, and there's a breeding colony of guppies that share the tank.
This is pretty much all you need to know about feeding. Its very important to say that they are very prone to be overfed, feed a small amount several times a day and never put a big chunk of food all at once. I must say that I would be worryed that it doesant like to be on open water but lets wait and see.Phosaurus;4296094; said:
Put the res apart, I had a softy rip out a res head many years ago.MarkieJ;4296480; said:While I have a spiny softshell turtle, I imagine a florida isn't too much different in keeping... Here's a full shot of its tank when first set up (20 gallon long):
I've since taken the turtle dock out, it was never used (and I've given away the red ear). Keep a sandy bottom, they love to bury themselves and just leave their heads out like this:
When they get used to things, they'll spend much less time hiding. Mine follows me around and begs now. The "shallow" side of the tank was just deep enough where my turtle could comfortably stand and breathe without swimming.
I feed a variety of pellets, mealworms, and there's a breeding colony of guppies that share the tank.
coura;4297387; said:
True, sorry I have failed to mention the amount and size of the food on my post. Thank you for bringing that up.
