Habitat - Outdoor :: New pond Resident

[cmc_joe]

Yesterday morning I went out to feed my fish and found a turtle in my pond. After looking it up I discovered it was a Red Eared Slider. I know next to nothing about turtles.

My pond is 12'x6' and between 18" and 3' deep. I have a couple of Koi over 10" and some goldfish over 8" that I would like to keep and a lot of smaller goldfish (they just had babies again) that I need to get rid of.

There are a few plants along the side to allow him to get in and out as he pleases, and I view the turtle as a neat extra in the pond.

My question is, are my large Koi and goldfish in trouble with him in there and what would i need to do to provide proper care? He is eating fine and gobbles up the Koi pellets.[/img]

[wiccabrat]

If he just wandered in he'll probably wander out again eventually. Your Koi and Goldfish could be in danger. The RES can eat them it's just a matter of how much work he thinks they're worth. They might be safe because he'll probably go for the smaller ones first.

[turtletex]

how big is the turtle?

[cmc_joe]

The turtle is about 7 or 8 inches long

[turtletex]

My 3 res and softshell chase my 3 inch g.f around the pond almost all day. That was suppose to be there main food supply(I also feed them other stuff) and I would definatly say they will try to go after your koi, especiailly the smaller ones.

[felix1318]

huh? Res and softshell get along?

[aal]

That RES is probably staying in that pond for a free supply of food and an everlasting water source. Don't be surprised if other RES join in soon. They can create a big problem. Get proper turtle pellets for the RES for full nutrition.

Softshells and RES can get along however I wouldn't reccomend doing so. Both need different PH water levels and the RES may bully and harm the softshell but it all depends on their temperament I guess.

[freshprince2146]

^ i thought a softy packs a stronger bite? so wouldn't the soft shell bully the res??

[turtletex]

they actually use to all lay on the rocks together and bask, ive never had problems with them until.......the res all got away(theres a creek behind my house), and the softshell got attacked by a big bird and died. currently my pond is empty at the moment. They were eating pellets along with earthworms and the ocassional goldfish if they could catch them.lol

[freshprince2146]

sorry about your turtles^^

[aal]

Yeah softies pack a far stronger bite, however their personality is not as hardy and fierce as an RES's. Try putting two of them together and you'll notice that the RES will begin biting the softies feet a lot.

[maureen]

Hi, everyone. My name is Maureen, I'm new to the forum.

Last summer, I, too, found a RES in my pond.........I can't imagine how he got here, as any nearby water source would involve a major trek, and include one busy road, but here it is.

When I first saw it, it was about the size of a silver dollar. It happily spent the summer eating goldfish flakes and baby Orandas (!); I bought some guppies, and it switched to them. There's also water lettuce, hyacinth, and duckweed as well as a variety of water lilies and lotus.

Today I saw it for the first time this year.......is now about the size of a demitasse saucer. Just a quick glimpse, because as soon as it sees/hears me, it dives. I'm inclined to leave it, but any suggestions on how to capture it if I decide I need to? My pond is 15' across at its widest, and 3' deep in the center. Despite a friend's assurances, it has NOT gotten used to me, and disappears as quickly as its aware of my prescence

[steve]

Hi Maureen, sounds like you have a terrific pond! We'd love to see some pictures

Since you could say your turtle is "wild", it won't likely get used to you with that large pond to explore. If you need to catch it, you would either need a large net or you would have to drain the pond.

[maureen]

Will be proud to post some pics as soon as the water balances.........it doesn't look like much right now. Also, can I post from Photobucket? (That's how I do it on the chicken forum I belong to.)

Draining the pond sounds like a very depressing prospect.....its over 2000 gallons. But I'm pretty sure that's the only way I'd have a shot at catching this guy. I DID manage to creep around slowly enough yesterday to get a good look at it from a distance; its grown over winter, almost bread n butter plate-sized. Then I moved my hand and kersplash, gone. The pond has many pots to hide behind on the ledges, and the center, as well as some built in "caves" along the walls. What I'm thinking I might do if he becomes a serious Oranda predator, is move the Orandas to another pond (I have several, although none as large as this). Then just stock this one with a few bream and minnows, and let nature take its course. Maybe get a couple more RES.

I'm already trying to figure out how to get an island in the center......I have one of those pre-formed waterfall pools, not the little round ones, one about 2" long, pool-shaped, but with a spillchute. I'm thinking of setting it on a a big tub so its above the waterline, except for the spillchute, then sand, rocks, and maybe even a basking log. Just trying to figure out how to do it without having everything wash into the pond if there's a heavy rain Any suggestions?

One other thing; I've been told they won't stay in a pond they weren't born in, but this guy just showed up........again, really small, no more than silver-dollar sized.......is it here to stay, and is this now "home"?

I didn't ask for it, but I'd be heartbroken now if it left

[steve]

Yup, photobucket is the most popular way to post images here or you can email them to me and I can post them.

Draining would be a last resort too. For a center island... hmmm. I've seen floating ones built and I've seen driftwood anchored by cinder blocks though I like your idea, much more creative

There's no reason to why he would leave. Though you might want to add a simple barrier if there's nothing around the pond or your property.