Other Turtle Discussion :: New Turtles?

[xoxo_christie]

Hi! I was wondering if anybody had any experiences with getting new turtles and putting it in with the old(er) one. I know we'll have to take into consideration tank size and what not, but my main concern is whether or not they'll all get along... We recently put in 14 (we asked for 8, but the petstore gave us 14) rosy minnows(?) because my boyfriend wanted to see if they could be his new playmates. Unfortunately, he devoured all but one :(. Since then, though, they've co-existed quite peacefully. Do you think maybe s/he's ready for turtle friends? If we buy new ones, it'll have to be two because they only sell them in pairs for $6, making a grand total of 3- 2 baby ones, and 1... semi-grown one (about... 3-4 inches).

[Kallistos]

What's the size of your tank. Rosy Red Minnows are what we reccomend you feed your turtles once in awhile because they're not fattening like goldfish. You'll need a huge tank for 4 red eared sliders. It all depends, the semi grown one may kill the babies on accident, or they may get territorial. At that size none of your turtles can be sexed. So the males could fight over the female and then harass the female. You'll need lots of tank space and probably more than one tank because chances are they won't all get along happily ever after.

[missibsu]

Introducing new turtles is always a risk. Most RES are solitary type creatures and do not need a tank mate. There is a unknown risk that they won't get along. The size difference between old and new is also an issue. RES of mixed size should not be mixed. The larger could unknowingly harm the smaller turt, or even kill it.

If you have three full grown turtles, you are looking at a minimum of 270 gallons, and that is if they are all male. Then, having all males in one tank you are at a greater risk of aggression between them.

New turtles should also have a quarantine time of at least 3 months. This is to make sure that your current tank isn't infected with an illness that hasn't presented itself yet. This means that you will need another complete set up, just to get you started.

I'd give this some serious thought. Owning one RES is expensive, and unlike owning a cat or dog, owning a second turtle means double the cost.

[xoxo_christie]

Bad news; I'd like to think that the turtle was only playing hide-and-go-seek with the fish, but in reality, I believe he was hunting.

Thanks for all of your advice though, I really appreciate it! I think I'll be taking the advice, too. I guess I'll get him a ping pong ball or something.


Thanks again!

[Kallistos]

It's a good sign that your turtle is hunting and eating the fish. It means he's active and healthy. Any thing that is live in your tank is your turtles meal.

[scripta_elegans]

Turtles love fish! Well they love to eat them anyway.

[MamaLou]

We had Lou (9" and8yrs old) in a tank, and our little ones(3-4 inches) in their own separate tank, and just recently introduced them to our large backyard pond together. They all seem to be getting along really well. I guess we are lucky that Lou is so friendly and the little ones are so anti social that it works. We want to add some little fish for them to terrorize soon, but I guess its all luck with them getting along with smaller turtles. I wouldnt put any baby greenies in with them though or any fish I wnat to keep as pets.