General Care Discussion :: Added another turtle to the tank. Need Help Plez!

[insaniac22]

So I just got a new baby turtle, and here's my situation. I already have a turtle, have had him for about 3-4 months(got him from the pet store) he's about 2 inches (his shell from front end to back). So i thought I'd put my new turtle; who's like 1/3rd the size of herbert in the same tank.

At first Herbie was scared it seemed of the new turtle, but then he snuck up and bit my new baby on the leg, luckly I was there watching and grabbed him before any more harm could happen.

Any idea why this could have happend? Herbie has only been alone for a few months, didn't think he would be mad about having another turtle in the tank.

Any one know if there's some way to maybe slowly get them to like each other? I've thought about putting some sort of clear divider in the middle of the tank, so at least they could get used to being close to each other.

Any thoughts or ideas would be great, Thanks!

[Amg81083]

Turtles are pretty solitary creatures. If Herbie has already shown aggression towards your new baby I would keep them separated permanently. A divider in a tank is a great way to save space and not have two tanks, so long as the room you give each turtle is enough. (10 gallons per inch of turtle) Good luck with the new baby =)

[insaniac22]

Herbie seems almost scared of the new one, so there is not really a chance they could get along since he's already bite him. Even if I tried putting them together when Terrance(the new one) is closer in size?

[Bascomb]

Herbie has made his stand and he is not going to change. You are going to have to sub-divide the tank or get another set up. Sorry, but turtles have a code of their own. If you don't it will be a foot, then the tail, then another foot -- Get the picture.

[SpotsMama]

For some reason, there's a reference to this topic in the General Care Discussion section. To avoid duplication, I'm going to delete it and move this topic to General Care.

By the way insaniac22, I agree that you're going to have to keep your turtles separated. It's quite common for two turtles in the same tank to fight and they can serious hurt or even kill one another. Sorry.

[Steliosf]

Well i took mine from the same pet store and they are toggether ever since...
But some times the bigger one seems to chace off the smaller one espacially at feeding time. Besides that few times they get along pretty well (sometimes it looks like they r kissing?!?!)

insaniac22 I believe it takes time to get used each other and the major factor is food, the bigger turtle has his territory invaded and food supply will be shared... Keep them seperated and after a while put them together under supervision and plenty of food so the bigger wont feel the loss of food...

If the bitting and chasing off continues then it will be wise to have them seperated permenatly coz the smaller wont get enough food and i will have to agree with the more experienced guys here about the outcome of that... (you dont want to have a loss of any kind...)

Good luck