Habitat - Outdoor :: How about a fountain??

[cechever]

I have a little fountain outdoors and I have medium sized goldfish in it. I want to put 2 RES (very little, like a 50c. coin) in the fountain with a big rock for them to rest on. They cannot eat the fish because they are too big. Could the fish hurt them? Do they get cold outside at night? I live near the beach and the coolest temp at night is 65-70. Final question, they like the fish food, but the fish eat faster, how do I separate their portion? Can I put it on he rock?

[marisa]

How big are the fish and how many are there? Would all of them fit in this fountain comfortably? Could the RES escape?

Just my opinion, but with RES that small, I'd be afraid that a predator (bird, some other animal) would get at them in an open fountain like that (if it's what I'm imagining it to be).

RES need to eat in the water. And they should be eating turtle food as a staple, not fish food.

I'd keep the RES in their own tank, and when they're bigger, get them a pond. If you put everyone together when they're bigger, though, don't count on keeping the goldfish (which aren't very good for RES either).

[cechever]

Thanks for reply. The fish are about 5 or 6 inches. There are ten. The fountain is pretty big, they have lots of space. The RES can't scape.

Birds can't get in because the patio has a net. The net has holes that allow only little birds (smaller than fist) in. They are happier there than they were in the little aquarium. How long before they get big enough to be outside?

[marisa]

Well, you initially said you "had a little fountain outdoors," but it must be larger than I thought if it can hold that many goldfish that size (do the goldfish have adequate space?).

Hatchlings do much better with warmth, and if the temp goes to 65-70F at night, that's fairly cold for turtles the size of yours, and, I'm assuming a large temp fluctuation from the day temp. I still would not just leave your turtles in the fountain with the fish to live--the environment sounds like it favors the fish (especially with the diet of fish food) and at some point your turtle's health might suffer.

[cechever]

Thanks!! I am going to keep them inside to feed them and for the nights and I'll only take them to swim a little outside once in a while.