General Care Discussion :: A aggressive red ear slider

[Anarch1stSl1m]

I had bought three baby red ear sliders for class studies. Now, that was about four months ago I've noticed that one of the three turtles is being aggressive and it seems to lean toward only one of the other two red ear turtles. Never named them but one must be a male its smaller 2 1/2" than the other two that are both bigger and both about 3 1/4" just a guess never messured them; I think they are females too never looked to see nor wouldn't know what to look for? but know females are bigger than males.

Now, I thought they would get along since they grew up together with each other. But, now this one that is showing its nails and twitching them at the other female? turtle is not cool in my book. I know the only way to solve this is to seperate them or rid out at least the aggressive one.

My question - Is there another way maybe a formula of food I can feed them to decrease this sexual drive or aggressive behavior?

The set up is as follows:
I have a 30gal. deep aquarium with a small turtle dock, two phophius allagee eaters, two white feeder gold fish and one orange/white, and a blue crayfish or what I know as a craw daddy - king of the tank. At, first the tank seemed to be perfect but geez these things are growing rappidly and are showing sexuality now.

Thanks, in advance

[blackforces get you]

i dont think theres any other way besides to separate them. it will continue as long as their together. fighting for dominance or space. its all about survival and they will fight to the death for it. and nobody wants that so, conclude to separating them. it ends your problem once done so.

[Anarch1stSl1m]

Well, blackforces get you

I don't know what sex they are nor won't be able to tell its way too early but apparently growing up together or not determines nothing they must all fight. Chances are their same sex esstablishing dominace so I will have to try to find this aggressive one another aquarium thats not in my home. I am not getting another aquarium but only to eventully replace the one I have that will be the only aquarium purchase I will be doing. So, I will be doing some RES housing options then.

Good lookin' out

[theartbook35]

It's hard to tell the gender of a turtle before it reaches a shell length of four inches. The best indicator of a male turtle is the length of the front nails, which, get very very long. Almost as long as their head, if not longer by the time they reach adult size.

From personal experience:

I keep two younger females in a tank together. Typhoon is fairly mellow, but, Hurricane has always been a bit nippy and territorial. I have noticed with Hurricane that, as long as she feels like she has plenty of space, she does not flutter at or try to bite Typhoon. Truth be told, these two have no idea what it's like to have a tank all to themselves so, I do believe that plays a part. It also helps to have a hiding place, like a tunnel or cave, so that one can hide for a while and be in their own space. Everyone needs their own space, whether they human, mammal, or reptile.

So, this could be male to female aggression, or, it could be as simple as getting a larger tank. Since you are keeping three together, I would get a 75 gallon tank for now. It is a very spacious thing, with room for plants and other places of privacy. Your other option is to separate the aggressive turtle into his or her own separate tank away from the other two.

[steve]

Females can be aggressive as well and separation is the only thing that can really end the problem.

[missibsu]

Based on the current sizes listed above, the current tank is a bit too small. Rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch of shell. Also mentioned above was a recommendation of a 75 gallon tank. It would be a good starting point, although by no means the final size that you will eventually have to buy. Now that you have noticed the aggression starting, there is no guarantee that moving them to a larger tank will solve your problems. I think an upgrade is in order, and see how that works, then you can make some decisions from there.

[TurtleKeeper48]

Based on what you said - that you want to do just one tank upgrade that will house two (probably female) Red Eared Sliders for life, along with several gold fish and other fish & a crawdad... You should be shopping for a 250 gallon tank.

Turtles are messy critters, and they live a long time and they get big. A female RES can easily live for 50 years and will reach an adult size of 10"-12" (strait shell length). That is why it is commenly said that each female RES will eventually need a 125 gallon tank, just for themselves.

I currently have two RES in a 75 gallon tank. They are 5" and 6" and it's getting too small. It is not there forever home.

[vear]

I had bought three baby red ear sliders for class studies. Now, that was about four months ago I've noticed that one of the three turtles is being aggressive and it seems to lean toward only one of the other two red ear turtles. Never named them but one must be a male its smaller 2 1/2" than the other two that are both bigger and both about 3 1/4" just a guess never messured them; I think they are females too never looked to see nor wouldn't know what to look for? but know females are bigger than males.

Now, I thought they would get along since they grew up together with each other. But, now this one that is showing its nails and twitching them at the other female? turtle is not cool in my book. I know the only way to solve this is to seperate them or rid out at least the aggressive one.

My question - Is there another way maybe a formula of food I can feed them to decrease this sexual drive or aggressive behavior?

The set up is as follows:
I have a 30gal. deep aquarium with a small turtle dock, two phophius allagee eaters, two white feeder gold fish and one orange/white, and a blue crayfish or what I know as a craw daddy - king of the tank. At, first the tank seemed to be perfect but geez these things are growing rappidly and are showing sexuality now.

Thanks, in advance

I'm just curious, but what kind of studies would involve acquiring 3 red ear sliders? Did you know they live over 20 years?