turtle with new world cichlids?

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Experiment397

Experiment397

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Feb 26, 2010
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Probably the Poly section
ok so i am thinking of adding a turtle in my 125 with my new world cichlids.:naughty: heres what i will have:
2 jd
1 blood parrot
1 nicaraguan
3 sajicas
2 firemouths
1 bushynose
1 ornate pim catfish
so could i do a turtle? and what species, i was thinking gibba sideneck turtle...:confused:
 
I haven't got an answer for you, but you just peaked my interest. I have a bigger tank that I am working on, but with similar fish. I hadn't thought about putting a turtle in, but after reading that, it sounds really cool. Hopefully someone will recommend a turtle that would work.
 
none.
none with garuntees at least. pim would get eaten quick, and the only turtle that has a good chance of workin is a fly river turtle which will outgrow that tank fairly quick.
 
I would go with a smaller species if you are going to do that. Maybe a map turtle or diamondback terrapin but what ever you get make sure its a male because they are significantly smaller than females. Sidenecks I think prefer lower water levels (not sure) and so do mud/musk. As with any turtle this is a chance they will at one point will try to eat your fish. I kept fish in with my old RES before she passed away. She would start nipping fins unless I kept her well fed.

You will have to lower the water level at least 3-4 inches provide a basking platform. You will also need UVA/B lighting and super over filtered water.
 
i would recommend a small musk. smaller then thew baskers and a weaker swimmer. its a bottom walker.
 
I would not suggest a turtle for that tank.
Turtles eat fish. They need to bask (all the ones for sale around me at least)
Most get pretty big, even a RES (pretty common) may need to have a tank around that size one day. Plus turtles are surprisingly good at trying to escape. My water level is 6 inches below the top of my tank and he sometime reaches the top.

Just a suggestion, its 100% your call, not mine.
 
muds or musks might do okay but they still run the risk of nipping at your fish and possibly taking one down. Mata matas are great with larger fish that they cannot swallow whole and fly rivers do excellent with fish as well. otherwise you should avoid turtles and fish being mixed.
 
I keep Mud and Musk Turtles with large cichlids and plecos and I've never had any issues. It's best to start out with young turtles and let them grow up with the fish. If you keep the turtles well fed and off of live food they don't see the fish as food.....usually.....
 
also keep in mind that turtles are highly opportunistic and that even a "good" turtle with find a sick or injured fish hard to resist
 
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