Habitat - Indoor :: Fish with Your Turtle

[Mom2RES]

It has been a long time since I visited.

So when I used to come here frequently I saw different discussions about fish with the turtle, what fish work best, will the turtle eat the fish, etc. When Angelina wasn't very big, I decided to try some goldfish in the tank to see if she'd leave them alone. That was an epic fail. Once she noticed the first one, it was all over.

I've bought her goldfish once since then. This time I bought them for her to eat, which she did.

I was at the pet store the other day looking for mystery snails for my tank. Since I was there, I decided to get her four goldfish to eat. I took them home put them in the tank and waited. It didn't take her long to notice them. Once she did, the chase was on. She got one pretty quickly. She almost got two more (she nipped their tails), but has been unable to get them. They were too fast for her.

For several days the fish stayed hidden in the plants/decorations. Now they swim right in front of her. They may catch her eye for just a second and then she just goes on her way.

So I've been wondering why she couldn't catch them. My guess is she has gotten bigger (probably 5 to 6 inches shell length) and heavier, therefore she can't swim as fast. Would you all agree? No big deal but just wondering.

Also, now that she doesn't seem to care about the fish, I'd like to get some more. My original intent was to have fish in with her. What might be a good choice other than goldfish. I remember people saying rosie reds (I think that what they were called), but those aren't very pretty. If you have fish, what type do you have?

Of course I know there is always a chance that no matter what I get, she might decide to have them for a snack.

[VeipaCray]

Anything you put in will most likely become food sooner or later so the best fish to put in are less expensive ones that you're not attached to. Red Rosies are inexpensive feeder fish.

[ljapa]

I've had black neons in with Tobi since October 2011. Never had a problem. About a year ago I added some neon tetras. Those lasted days before they started mysteriously disappearing with no sign at night. The black neons are still there.

I have no illusions they will be forever. And, all my experience shows is that I have no clue what will happen with fish in my tank.

[devilduck]

Sometimes they last minutes, sometimes they last months but eventually the turtle will get them

[Kansasslider]

I have 3 large goldfish in my tank. I can't remember what they are called but they are kinda like small koi they can grow to 12". They are too large for my turtles to eat.

[Mr.Shenanigans]

Not to step on toes but no goldfish should be sharing a tank with an RES. it can be done but your doing an injustice to the fish being they are coldwater fish and RES are tropical water reptiles. Moving on, your best bet for company are larger SA Cichlids, Africans, or Sunfish. Of the three, sunfish are equally or more aggressive than cichlids and will definitely not put up with a turtles bullying. Mind you, your sunfish will need to be the size of or larger than your turtle. I have two oscars at about 5 inches sharing a tank with my 7-8" RES. She initially tried her luck with them until they wisened up and now give her a run for her money if she gets too close for comfort. In no way is it a hostile environment as they swim together on a daily basis. Once in a while they will charge to let her know they have not let down their guard. Another good option is a dempsey or terror. Just bear in mind, like me, this relationship could subside any day and your turtle may snap and try to gobble them up. Your best chance at avoiding this is keeping them WELL FED to avoid any primal urges. No guarantee, but working famously for me. GL