In doing some research on my turtles I found an article that said females have been known to eat coral in order to get more calcium? Do you think aragonite would be a good substrate for their wet side of the tank?
Terrapin's eat coral?
- Thread starter dirtyblacksocks
- Start date
I don't know. I think there are better ways that you can give them coral than assume they are going to munch on some rocks.
Aragonite is just dead coral that's been ground into rocks...I don't see how it's any different from giving them bleached corals that are still whole?
I'm trying to decide on keeping the wet side bare bottom or throwing a substrate on there for aesthetic purposes.
I'm trying to decide on keeping the wet side bare bottom or throwing a substrate on there for aesthetic purposes.
The aragonite will dissolve more readily than larger coral pieces. Also easier for them to eat. You will have to vacuum the aragonite as opposed to a bear bottom.
That's my only concern is water pollution increasing as a result of not being able to see the waste they leave beind - regardless of a vacuum.
I just wanted to confirm that they will eat the stuff, I don't want to put anything in there if it's not going to be beneficial for em'.
These guys are stunted as it is, from last year's hatch and they are only 2"-3".
I just wanted to confirm that they will eat the stuff, I don't want to put anything in there if it's not going to be beneficial for em'.
These guys are stunted as it is, from last year's hatch and they are only 2"-3".
Increased calcium in the water should help with calcium issues. I'd avoid aragonite as a substarte when it dissolves it can form a cement like substance trapping who knows what kind of pollutants. You could try and put a small pile of it in a submersible food bowl and see if they eat it.
If you're worried about your turtle's calcium levels you can always just add a piece of cuttlebone to the tank. That's the easiest route.
dirtyblacksocks;3187465; said:
Being a little less than a year old and being that size does not mean they are stunted. They are fine. If you want to get some size on them just raise up the water temp.
You shouldnt have to worry about their calcium intake very much right now as they are small, although yes, it is important still. Just give them plenty of feeders and they will get the calcium they need along with some quality turtle food. Turtles that size usually dont run into calcium deficiancy problems if all care requirements are met. If you absoutely feel they need calcium just throw in some cuttlebone, just remember to remove the hard backing that is on one side of it.
I have a friend that breeds dbt's and he provides the adults with coral on the bottom of their enclosures mainly for the adult females.
Joel
Thanks for the info guys - I think I'll just dose calcium if I think they need it into the water and stick with feeding them healthy foods.
