Sunfish and Turtles?

[DRC]

I know this is probably a bad idea but tempting. My 125 is finally getting cycled so I can move my Sunfish, perch, bullhead and Green Texas over from my 55. I also have a Western Painted Turtle and a Pink Bellied Sideneck Turtle that need to be upgraded from a 20. My intention was to move the turtles into the soon to be vacant 55. But, my wife really wants some axolotls and the 55 would be a perfect tank for them instead. So, I’m wondering if I lower the water level of the 125, throw in a large Turtle dock and a basking light, if the turtles could actually cohabitate with my fish, freeing up the 55 for axolotls. Does anyone have any experience trying something like that?

 

[Mr geophagus]

If the turtles are as bad g or bigger than the fish I’d say go for it. If not, get them a separate tank.

 

[RD.]

It's a bad idea. Not just from an aggression stand point, but aso from the added bio-load in a 125.

 

[Lsey81]

I wouldn't only because of the bioload stated earlier...turtles are messy!...I was actually in a bind once and had to keep my veija and Oscars In my turtle pond (indoor)...the chiclids absolutely abused and harassed my sliders to the point they were afraid to get into the water

 

[Duckman77]

I have a small softshell turtle in with my large sunfish and perch in a 125g. It works for now because he is more aquatic than most turtles and still very small. It is only temporary though because he will eventually grow large enough to pose a threat to the fish and will produce a lot of waste. As mentioned, turtles can really crud up the water.

 

[DRC]

Thanks for talking me out of what I was pretty sure was a bad idea. The axolotls will just have to wait. Off topic for this forum, but now I’m just trying to decide on a floating turtle dock or a turtle topper for the 55.

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks for talking me out of what I was pretty sure was a bad idea. The axolotls will just have to wait. Off topic for this forum, but now I’m just trying to decide on a floating turtle dock or a turtle topper for the 55.

MrsE88

 

[MrsE88]

Thanks for talking me out of what I was pretty sure was a bad idea. The axolotls will just have to wait. Off topic for this forum, but now I’m just trying to decide on a floating turtle dock or a turtle topper for the 55.

Go with a turtle topper. I just made my own, but buying one is a lot simpler.
The more water volume the easier it will be to keep the water clean.

As far as putting the turtle with fish, I’d advise against putting them with fish you’d be sad to have killed or left with a permanent scar. Turtles are unpredictable. That said, I do have both my turtles in with fish and have had minimal issues.

I have a small softshell turtle in with my large sunfish and perch in a 125g. It works for now because he is more aquatic than most turtles and still very small. It is only temporary though because he will eventually grow large enough to pose a threat to the fish and will produce a lot of waste. As mentioned, turtles can really crud up the water.

View attachment 1363381

Awe! I love softies!
He really doesn’t bask much? My little guy spends at least half his time basking. My sideneck spends more time in the water. Haha