General Care Discussion :: Bad friend

[Turtboy]

I am kinda wishing that I had found this site and all you guys/girls a little earlier. I am a relatively new owner of a baby RES about 2" named Turbo. He's very active and happy. Earlier this week I decided he might like some friends. I bought the quickest, most agile Catfish (to help clean the tank) I could find at the aquarium shop along with a Silver Shark (to look cool). I thought that these guys would be fast enough to out manouver the young Turbo...

Day one: the catfish (both fish are both alot larger than Turbo BTW) was missing half his tail.

Day two: the catfish was minus a tail, but still swimming

Late day two: Turbo went on a "Search and Destroy" mission to punish the catfish, chassing him relentlessly, biting off chunks as he went. (It was AWESOME my gf made me fish the poor guy out, he know limps around the bottom of a buddy's fishtank)

Day three: I had read that Silver Sharks aren't happy alone, so I had planned to get another one on my way home from work but the shop was shut. I think I will now wait a bit before buying another as today Turbo is now chasing the Shark... and he's getting closer.

Turbo doesn't appear to be hungry, he gets plenty of the good food, he just seems to love chasing the fish. BTW he also trys to attack my cat through his tank!

I hope the Lil Shark hangs in there and continues to avoid Turtle but at the same time ready to accept that Turbo is a bit of a jerk and will never have friends Lucky he has me to hang out with!

Sorry for the Epic post, its my 1st ever... anywhere!

[TheComputerGremlin]

Welcome to the board. As you've found out the hard way, fish = food, no matter what fish. Which also means that you need to be extra careful in your selection of fish in the tank. Don't put in any spinky or barby fish and no fish that could be poisonous.

If you want to watch your little guy be a real hunter (and possibly prolong your shark's life), go get a couple (you said 2", so no more than 2) rosie red minnows. They are traditional feeder fish. Throw those in and watch your turtle chase them down.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Unfortunately any fish you put in the tank will eventually become dinner. This sucks if the fish are expensive. Feeder guppies are a better option because they are super cheap & it's ok for your turtle to eat them.

[resfl24]

As an owner of both fish & turtles I know all about nipped fins. The best thing you can do is go to the the pet store & buy some API Stress Coat. Follow the dosing instructions & your catfish's tail will be grown back before you know it. Be sure to add some about once a week until the fins are completely grown back.

[sneakyburrito]

how many people on this site named their turtle Turbo?! geez