General Care Discussion :: Two RES's in one tank...

[SDFTurtle]

I see pictures people post and they have more than one RES in a tank, did you buy them all at once, or if you add another later will they adapt to eachother?




Thank you.

[Nettle]

Most people get two before they know that they shouldn't have them (like me). Turtles are very territorial and fight aggressively. A turtle is MORE than happy being alone.

[N4784N R4613]

Plus, if you would like to try to add a new one to your tank, you would have to quarantine the new guy for at least 90 days(three months) in his own set-up. Even after a three month quarantine, the new one could still past on a disease to your exiting RES. You would have to introduce them on neutral water, not the quarantine tank, and not your exiting set-up. See how they like each other, and then you can put then back into your exiting set-up, starting with the new guy, and them add your exiting RES. They will most likely fight when they are both put into your exiting set-up, so keep the quarantine set-up up and running for awhile, just in case...

[hdaisog]

Remember the added expense of having a second turtle. If they end up staying together you will need a 180-240 gallon set up. It they are seperated you will need a 90-120 gallon set up each.

[mikee]

SDF --- Mixing turtle breeds is a real crap shoot. Sometimes they will get along and most of the time they don't. I inherited three and they are two painted and one res. The res was added last and they have gotten along fine. The painteds are female and the res is male. The main thing is that they are the same size. Most of the time the biggest of the lot will be aggressive toward the smaller.

[SDFTurtle]

Hey guys, thanks for the answers.


I went to a place called Petland, they told me that a baby RES and one about 4inches would be fine. I have put the baby in there and it seems to be good. I think I will go purchase the 100GAL tomorrow though and just keep them seperate. I dont want either to be harmed.


Thanks everyone


BTW, how much should I expect to pay for a 100GAL tank?

[SDFTurtle]

PS:



What about getting 2 small ones that were in the same tank at the petstore?

[megcornell]

That doesn't increase your chances of avoiding aggression AT ALL.
The only way to ensure that you won't need two set ups is to only have one RES.
They're aggressive by nature, there's no way to change that. They just prefer living solo.

[mikee]

SDF -- Maybe you will be lucky and they will get along. But, don't count on it. I cringe when someone takes the advice from some of the people at one of these pet stores.

[SDFTurtle]

I decided not to even risk it.


I went out and got a 50gal tank today for my bigger RES, and the baby has moved into the old 29Gal tank.


Both seem to be liking the huge ammount of space they have.