SOft Shell

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blakeoe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 3, 2006
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Louisiana
Can soft shell turtles be kept with cichlids? I am thinking of getting some soft shells for a pond and thought it would be cool to get some babys and let them grow out in my cichlid tank. I will provide them with a basking spot and rep lite but my concern is i keep salt in the water (2 tablespoons per 10 gallons) will this hurt them?
 
its always a chance with turtles....its instinct to go for fish as food.
 
I have a three-inch Gulf Coast spiny softshell. I kept her in a tank with a medium Jack Dempsey and she started looking at the Jack like he was food. So I really wouldn't do it.

How many and what kind are you planning on getting? You also have to keep in mind that they need a lot of space to swim and a tank might not be big enough. And if you end up with a female, be prepared for a mean-tempered turtle that might get around 20".

Softshells are also a lot more susceptible to fungal infections than other turtles so make sure there's nothing in the tank that can scratch it.

My suggestion is don't do it. But if you really want to, be careful.
 
It is going to be 2 florida soft shell hatchlings. They are very small and my fish are pretty big so im not really concerned with them eating the fish but i do realize i will have to keep an eye on them. I will add a basking spot and a repti light to the tank. When they get bigger i will move them to my dad's pond. My main question is if they will be bothered by the salt. Thanks for all the advice guys!
 
It is common to see Florida softshells inhabiting salt marshes. So salt won't be a problem, actually I always put a little salt in the water of my FSS tub. And everyone alse has a good point. Softshells eat fish, and if the fish are to big, they will be satisfied with just a chunk of your fish. My softshells eat convicts like its goin out of style.
 
It is just the particular turtle. I have a snapping turtle that lives with guppies and goldfish that would never eat one of them. He only accepts pellets.

Chad
 
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