Softshell + Razorback Musk?

[Yin Wei]

Well the petshop dude said, it'll be a fine combo, but I'd like to ask the experts.

At the petshop they were in the same tank anyways and they seemed to be fine running around.

They are quarter sized or even smaller.
[I know the rule is 4"+ for sale in shops but this petstore doesn't seem to care]

So can anyone help me if these 2 little guys can live along with each other?

I tested RES and Razorback, the RES picked on him ;; and now I have this small softy that needs a place to be put in. I read that Razorbacks and Softys rarely bask alot, so I guess they have alittle in common.

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

If given enough space it might work, but I would be hesistant mixing with a softshell.

 

[Z Trip]

Depending on sex and species of soft shell turtle, it can grow up to 3 feet long. And since the mud turtle only gets to be about 6 inches long, things WILL NOT work out.

That pet store guy REALY doesn't know what hes talking about.

Z

 

[Vicious_Fish]

If you keep the two together you're going to risk injury to each other. Plus, a Musk Turtle could scratch up the sensitive shell of a softshell causing fungus or an infection. And like Z said their adult sizes are totally the opposite. Softshells can get big, especially if it’s a female. This might work in something like a pond but not really in an aquarium.

 

[lovespunaround]

That pet store guy REALY doesn't know what hes talking about.

That's usually how it goes, unfortunately.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

I wouldnt do the combo. The soft shell will get scratched and infected by the other turtle most likely.

 

[SimonL]

If you keep the two together you're going to risk injury to each other. Plus, a Musk Turtle could scratch up the sensitive shell of a softshell causing fungus or an infection. And like Z said their adult sizes are totally the opposite. Softshells can get big, especially if it’s a female. This might work in something like a pond but not really in an aquarium.

Softshells are brutal, aggressive monsters! They might be ok for a while, but eventually the softshell will most likely injure or kill the musk. Musk turtles grow very slowly compared to the softshell too.

I have a bunch of mixed species turtle setups and the only species that don't ever get mixed with othesr are snappers and softshells.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

And I've never met a soft-shell that didn't have a bad attitude. I find them to be more aggressive and nippy then snappers.

 

[Yin Wei]

Thanks for all the replies! Really helps alot.

When the turtles begin to grow bigger I'd usually seperate them. Ex: My RES grows quite rapidly, and outsizing the Musk. [Their not together] I guess I'll get another Razorback Musk.

It just sucks how overpriced they are over here. 30 each with tax how joyful.

 

[Miguel]

Everthing said i correct.

Having said that, I have ( every one is roughly the same size ) a mixed set up with a softshell ( and yes they are mean ), two Phrynops Hilaarii, one Argentina Snake kneck and one Australian Snakeneck ( Siebenrocki ).

Its been going on for more than 6 months, with no problem, no shell scratching and no agression whatsoever.

You have, of course, to monitor the whole set up constantly, especially during feeding.

I feed all my turtles ( 30 odd ) in a personalized way. I use tweezers and give to each one its food and watch to see if it ate it. If you do it like that, you can manage.

Of course, somewhere along the way, the soft has to go due to its growth rate.

Good luck.