General Care Discussion :: Can Sliders live with Painted Turtles?

[Poops McGee]

In the process of trying to find a friend for my slider, the opportunity to pick up a baby Painted has risen. Can I put the two together in the same tank? Do they require the same living conditions, and will they get along?

[megcornell]

How large is your tank and ow large are the turtles? RES and painteds can co-habitat, but RES tend to be more aggressive and if you don't have enough tank space they will fight. Sometimes even with the right amount of tank space fighting still occurs and the turtles will then require their own tank space. Also, if there's a large size difference the larger turtle can hurt the smaller one even unintentionally. I personally would never put a hatchling in with a larger turtle because they are so frail.
Another thing to consider is a quarantine period. 90 days is the recommended minimum amount of separation so that you can make sure no diseases or parasites will be passed from one turtle to another. Do you have a separate quarantine tank and the resources for two set ups if the turtles don't get along?
You'll find most people on here agree that RES are rather solitary and prefer living alone to the prospect of living with another turtle.

[marisa]

First of all, your RES doesn't need a friend, and would be quite happy by himself. I'd give him his own habitat rather than adding another turtle (if this is the main reason for getting one).

If you insist on another turtle, how big is the painted compared to your RES? If there's a big size difference, the turtles shouldn't be together until they're of a more comparable size. There should also be a quarantine period (90 days is often suggested).

How big is the tank they would be in? Painteds have similar care requirements as RES and could share a tank of adequate size. They are a bit more timid than RES, and an inadequately sized tank could result in bullying. You can never be sure if they'd get along until they were put together. If they didn't get along, you'd be looking at 2 set-ups.

[Poops McGee]

Thanks for all the advice!

Now i'm thinking about not adding the painted turtle to the family. I wanted to provide my RES with a companion, but I guess I was unaware that he would probably be happier by himself. The habitat would definitely be big enough for the two of them. Its a 20 gal long, and both turtles are very small, and relatively the same size. The actual habitat is not my concern, there is ample room. I was only thinking about adding the painted for companionship, but if this will provide no utility for my slider, I won't do it.

[megcornell]

I know it's common to think of turtles as social because in lakes you see them all clumped together on a log basking. At least that's how I always picture wild turtles. But in reality, they all just like that same basking area, and afterwards they all disperse somewhere far from each other in that large lake
In a tank turtles don't have that luxury, and a lot of times as they grow fighting starts. And, with two turtles, that 20L wouldn't last too long , so I think you've made the right choice in just focusing on making your one turtle the best home that you can.

[marisa]

I think the 20L would be too small to begin with. Glad you're sticking with the turtle you already have.

[Poops McGee]

Excellent. Thanks for your help!!!