Other Turtle Discussion :: RES and large fish

[reptilegrrl]

Who keeps large fish with their RES? How do they get along? I have been offered some large goldfish, about 5 inches long. I'd like to put them in with my RES, if they wil be safe. They are not fancy, so there will be no big flowy tails to nip at. Al is a pretty timid turtle so I am hoping these fish, being almost as big as he, will work out okay. What do you think?

[missibsu]

I thought that when I bought my pleco. I bought a pleco that was as large as the turts and he didn't last 2 hours in the tank. I couldn't stand to watch him be eaten, so I pulled him back out. Fact is, that no matter the size anything else in the tank can become food. Even my more timid of the turtles tears into the guppies. I would also add with the risk there, that the goldfish are more fatty than other foods he could eat. So, if you try it and one goes, then I would remove the rest.

[sonyj]

Here while back there was a post about a RES trying to eat someones goldfish that were larger than himself. He couldn't successfully eat them since they were large but that didn't stop him from mutilating them in the process of trying.

I'm with Missi, I'd try it if you want to but take them out at the first sign of aggression or injury.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Who keeps large fish with their RES? How do they get along? I have been offered some large goldfish, about 5 inches long. I'd like to put them in with my RES, if they wil be safe. They are not fancy, so there will be no big flowy tails to nip at. Al is a pretty timid turtle so I am hoping these fish, being almost as big as he, will work out okay. What do you think?

Definitely not me. My Sheba eats anything that isn't bolted down, regardless of size! She once ate an entire Calcium block ("water neutralizer") in a day!