General Care Discussion :: Multiple Turtle Problems

[kermitzaqd]

First of all, hello. I'm new to the site, but not to turtles. So I'm going to post some background info before posting my current questions.

I have had two turtles, Ezekiel and Jebediah for 2 years. I got them from a "rescue" which had only fed them pellets until I got them at around 3 inches. They now eat green leaf lettuce and pellets or gammarus on an altering day schedule. They have lived together all their lives and coexisted peacefully. They are now 4.5" in length.

My boyfriend has a female turtle, Napoleon, that we have raised since she was a hatchling. We got her in 2004 and she is now a healthy 4.5".

I was living in Kansas City, MO and my boyfriend in Waterloo, ON. I just recently moved to here to Waterloo (bringing both my turtles with me) across the Canadian border, requiring an import permit which they didn't even look at (ARGG!!).

So once I got to Waterloo, since the turtles were all the same size, we decided to hope for the best and put them all together in a 120 gal tank. They seemed to be getting along well at first. Jebediah, however, eventually would not leave Napoleon alone except when basking, and was after her constantly, which has led to him biting her in the neck.

Once that happened, we took Jebediah out. He's now in a 36 gallon tank by himself (Napoleon's old tank). I've read on here about others who have successfully kept multiple turtles. Jebediah and Napoleon seem to get along fine together. He'll flutter at her, but then leave her alone. Jebediah and Ezekiel also got along fine together until there was a female, which caused them to start showing signs of aggression towards each other.

Is my only option separation? I would hate to have to get rid of any of them, but I just can't see keeping two huge setups.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I'd love to hear from some of you with multiple RES with what your experiences were in either having to give one up or what you did to help them get along. I've become so attached to all of them that I just couldn't see giving any of them away, especially with all of the irresponsible owners out there and knowing that I've done so much research myself.

[jenaero]

That's always been a concern for me. My RES have lived fairly peacefully together for almost 3 years. During the last year they tend to squabble over food. I still don't know what I'd do if I had to separate them because I don't have the room either. I'd probably make room tho because I can't imagine giving them up.

Is there a reason you can't keep them in the 2 tanks you already have set up?

[kermitzaqd]

They don't seem to have any food aggression whatsoever. That was all just fine and dandy.

I'm really considering just having the two tanks. I actually just feel bad moving Jebediah into the 36 gal tank because he's been used to a 150 and then a 120 and now he's down to a 36 gallon. I'm considering getting him a 70 gallon.

I still have a 150 gallon tank located in Kansas City, but there's just no way I could transport it to Canada, and there's definitely no room in our apartment.

If I do keep two tanks the question is, should I just keep the males together so I don't have to worry about mating in the 120 and keep Napoleon in a 70 gal for now?

Man, I'm going to have to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff if I'm going to look at two setups. We need to get a stronger filter anyway for the 120 gal, so I could just use the one we're using for that one on the smaller tank. I also need to get proper lighting if Jebediah's going to stay in the other tank. Right now, I just have a regular light bulb in his basking area. Basically, it'll just mean a lot more effort if I can't keep them all together. I'm starting to become more okay with that idea though. It's better than having to give any of them up. I'm such a sucker for pets. Our apartment would be filled with all kinds of critters if my boyfriend would let me take them all in.

[jenaero]

You'll have to experiment with which pairings are agressive and which aren't. Either way, your female is likely to lay eggs. You can just throw them away.

It'll definetly be some extra work, it's just up to you to decide if it's worth it

[marisa]

If there's one female in with two males, I feel sorry for the female. With a pair, the male can really get aggressive toward a female, especially if she isn't receptive to his advances. That said, of the same sexes together, two males are more apt to fight with each other as opposed to two females. I have male painteds and when they were inside (they're now outside in a 150-gallon stock tank) they had to be separated. Even though what they're in now is more than big enough for them and there are plants and other objects to keep them from always seeing each other, I think I'm beginning to see some problems, which is making me think of the cooler months, when they'll be coming inside...

[kermitzaqd]

Well I think our decision at this point is to divide the tank. Does anyone have some suggestions as to ways that they've done this to make it still aesthetically pleasing?

[kmichael55]

I've never done this, but I've heard of using egg crate ceiling light panel material


then you could attach plastic plants with zip ties to disguise it.

[marisa]

I've seen tank dividers at places like Petsmart, but don't think they have them for really large tanks.

[steve]

Yup, I agree with kate. They also sell tank dividers, but those are not really made to be used with turtles.

[kermitzaqd]

Thanks everyone, I'll post pics with the new setup when it's all up and running.

[SpotsMama]

Pictures would be very helpful! This business of having to separate turtles is becoming an everyday thing on here. It would be nice to be able to show people an example of a setup that works!

[kermitzaqd]

Alright, I'm doing a complete tank rehaul this weekend, so there should be pics of the divided tank next week.