Hi everybody, I'm new to this site found it through youtube was interested so i registered. I have a red eared slider in August it will be two years. I just got the internet which is sad i no lol , ive learned alot and am interested in learnin more. When i first got my turtle i didn't no it took so much to care for them. It was just a lil thing and was cute, and i felt like i just had to save it. Since ive had it, it has sparked an intrest. Im unsure of the sex of my turtle but am waitin for it to get bigger. I have all the essential for my tank which i believe is a twenty gallon. Im aware they live a long time if kept healthy and can get very large. I'm proud of my tank and how far ive come but i no theres always room for improvement. I'm also interested in adding fish to my tank but am scared that they wont survive due to my turtle. I have fed him guppies which i feel horrible about lol. Three have survived so far and ive had them for about a month. im not sure how this site works just yet but am going to try to post a pic of my tank. If you have any comments or advice please share!
Suggestions wanted and welcomed
- Thread starter babygurl1561310
- Start date
First off, Welcome to MFK. We are all glad to have you.
Your Turtle looks to be female but it is hard to tell from the blurry pictures. If you are able to post better ones of the plastron (underside of the shell) someone here or myself will be able to give you a more accurate answer.
You will need a larger tank for that turtle very soon (I would recommend at least a 55 gallon if not a 120 or larger since that is what you will need in the long run anyways). It looks like you have some sort of light above that small basking area already but you need to double check and make sure it is the proper UVA/ UVB lighting that is specifically designed to replicate natural sunlight so that your turtle will be able to digest its food properly and obtain all of the vitamins that she needs.
If you are interested in trying to keep her with fish, I would not put anything you are terribly attached to in that tank since it will most likely eventually be eaten. I wrote a sticky on this that you can see above the normal postings- "guide to keeping turtles and fish together" or something like that.
Good luck with her, she is looking nice and healthy right now and I hope she continues to do so.
Your Turtle looks to be female but it is hard to tell from the blurry pictures. If you are able to post better ones of the plastron (underside of the shell) someone here or myself will be able to give you a more accurate answer.
You will need a larger tank for that turtle very soon (I would recommend at least a 55 gallon if not a 120 or larger since that is what you will need in the long run anyways). It looks like you have some sort of light above that small basking area already but you need to double check and make sure it is the proper UVA/ UVB lighting that is specifically designed to replicate natural sunlight so that your turtle will be able to digest its food properly and obtain all of the vitamins that she needs.
If you are interested in trying to keep her with fish, I would not put anything you are terribly attached to in that tank since it will most likely eventually be eaten. I wrote a sticky on this that you can see above the normal postings- "guide to keeping turtles and fish together" or something like that.
Good luck with her, she is looking nice and healthy right now and I hope she continues to do so.
Welcome to MFK!
I agree with everything snakeguy said. Males usually get really long nails on their front legs. You can make sure by looking at its tail, if the tail seems really long, and the vent is really far out, it's a male, but if the vent is much closer to the body, it's a female. Also, these turtles can reach a foot in length, so you'll have to upgrade eventually. I suggest getting a rubbermaid tub, as they are cheap even when they hold hundreds of gallons.
Fish probably won't survive. I suggest trying to get the turtle used to eating pellets as a staple, with meaty foods as a treat. I also don't recommend feeding feeder fish. I don't know if there are any diseases which can jump from fish to turtles, but the fish are probably malnourished themselves and will hold almost no nutrient content for your turtle.
And I just want to remind you of the importance of getting a proper UVB bulb. Turtles need UV light to synthesize vitamin D in their bodies, in order to metabolize calcium. Without proper UV your turtle could get what is know as soft shell, and metabolic bone disease.
Good luck!
I agree with everything snakeguy said. Males usually get really long nails on their front legs. You can make sure by looking at its tail, if the tail seems really long, and the vent is really far out, it's a male, but if the vent is much closer to the body, it's a female. Also, these turtles can reach a foot in length, so you'll have to upgrade eventually. I suggest getting a rubbermaid tub, as they are cheap even when they hold hundreds of gallons.
Fish probably won't survive. I suggest trying to get the turtle used to eating pellets as a staple, with meaty foods as a treat. I also don't recommend feeding feeder fish. I don't know if there are any diseases which can jump from fish to turtles, but the fish are probably malnourished themselves and will hold almost no nutrient content for your turtle.
And I just want to remind you of the importance of getting a proper UVB bulb. Turtles need UV light to synthesize vitamin D in their bodies, in order to metabolize calcium. Without proper UV your turtle could get what is know as soft shell, and metabolic bone disease.
Good luck!
Welcome to mfk babgurl.
Ash told me you joined today, good for you this is a great website for new, or seasoned aquarists.
I finally get to see a pic of the turt I've heard so much about, & it looks like a nice one too.
I've got some ideas cooking in my skull about a diy (do it yourself) ramp/basking area, if your interested.
Once you get the hang of this site it's pretty addictive.
There is alot of good information here at MFK, on fish keeping & the like.
Monster fish keepers have a monster thirst for knowledge, this is the place to learn from some very accomplished aquarists.
I don't think you will be disappointed.
Ash told me you joined today, good for you this is a great website for new, or seasoned aquarists.
I finally get to see a pic of the turt I've heard so much about, & it looks like a nice one too.
I've got some ideas cooking in my skull about a diy (do it yourself) ramp/basking area, if your interested.
Once you get the hang of this site it's pretty addictive.
There is alot of good information here at MFK, on fish keeping & the like.
Monster fish keepers have a monster thirst for knowledge, this is the place to learn from some very accomplished aquarists.
I don't think you will be disappointed.
Thank you for your tips i appreciate them very much next check i get i will go to my local store and ask about lighting i have a small uv bulb but need to upgrade. tommrow i will try to post a better pic but im bout 70% sure its a female i gatta think of a new name cuz dudley is not a female one and i want a good name for her thats if it is a female. ive tried to do my best on keeping it healthy have done some online research and theres still alot of learnin to do. I have a very active turtle and its very fasinating to just sit and watch her. I do understand that she will get to be a grat size and upgradin my tank has been on my mind for awhile becuase i want her to be happy and healthy i went and bought a bigger magnetic floating rock for her to dock on now she has two. Next is a proper light fixture. What would you recomend and to what i get? I have a 2 yr old male cat who is curious bout everything and cant leave top off of tank cuz i dont want him to get to curious and harm my turtle cuz im very attached. Im grateful i found this site and for all your inputs im lookin forward to learnin more