General Care Discussion :: co-habiting/introduction

[chantal.charbonneau2426]

I just bought my second RES today. I was looking for a buddy for my 2 year old girl (Paris). Kubota (the new guy) is a bit smaller than Paris. I was unsure if it would be a good idea to introduce the two of them. Paris has been alone since I got her. I tried to put them both in her tank just to see how she'd react. She was fine at first and then nipped at his head. I pulled her out and put her in the smaller tank for a little while. Kubota was kept in a tank with 5 other RES so I didn't think he would cause a problem especially since he was more bullied than anything else. I am afraid that Paris is going to hurt Kubota. How can I introduce the two of them without having to worry about Paris biting off Kubota's head?!?! Help me!

[seano997]

From what I've read is that it is normally very difficult to put two RES together... especially if one has been in a tank by themselves for quite some time because of their natural aggressiveness.

Personally I feel that it would be safest for the new turtle to be kept in his own tank rather than trying to put them together. It would be safer physically and there is also the chance of one of them getting sick and passing it onto the other.

[Sir Max]

I dont think its a good idea to even risk it

If one RES is lived alone for a while he does not want someone trespassing in his living arangement

thats just my opinion

It isnt bad if the sizes are not that much diffrent

but if clearly one is cappable of hurting the other or biting its head..paws..tail

etc

its a BAD idea

[chantal.charbonneau2426]

well I just finished measuring the two of them. Paris (the female) is the one we've had for 2 years and Kubota (the male) is the one we just got. So we had Paris in her tank by herself since we got her. Paris is 5.5" and Kubota is 4.5" so they're not too different. I always figured the male would be more aggressive so introducing the male into the tank would be a little easier than the other way around. However when Paris nipped at Kubota I put her in the smaller tank to try to let Kubota get used to it and make Paris realize that she's not the only turtle in the tank anymore.

Like I said Kubota was housed with 5 other turtles, 3 of which were also RES and the other two were yellow bellied sliders. The people said that they actually had more aggression problems with the YBS. Kubota seems to be pretty passive whereas Paris did seem pretty territorial. We just cleaned the tank so we're hoping that we'll be able to reintroduce them after a couple days. I am really hoping to be able to let them stay together, but if I can't I am willing to just buy another tank for my little boy.

[chantal.charbonneau2426]

I do understand that people don't really think it's a good idea to house RES together, it's not that I'm not reading what you're saying. I just really want to be able to keep the two of them together, especially since they're male/female.

[Sir Max]

Nono ido understand your point ofcourse

Paris was alone or with other turtles when your purchased her?

and how long has your male been with you alone?

[chantal.charbonneau2426]

I bought Paris at a pet store, she was with 5 or 6 other turtles. They were all pretty young (including Paris) and quite tiny.

We literally just bought Kubota at 2:30 this afternoon, we put him in the smaller tank first just to get him used to being alone for about an hour while I was at a work meeting. Then when I got home I tried introducing him to Paris in her tank.

They were in the same tank for about half an hour with no problem. It looked like Paris was smelling Kubota and figured out he wasn't edible and would leave him alone for a while and then do it again. But then when they were under the filter which has a waterfall type thing, Kubota was enjoying the falling water on his shell, Paris went over and got on top of him and nipped at his head. I don't think she would have done any damage and she only did it once, but I took her out of the tank and put her in the smaller one after that.

She's been in solitary for about 4 hours. So Kubota has been alone for 4 hours. He is in Paris' tank and seems to be enjoying himself and is becoming less nervous which is very nice.

[Peva]

I would say every day, once or twice, put kubota in there until paris attacks, then take him out. Eventually, paris wont attack him for long periods of time, and eventually not a all. You can also let kubota grow a bit, then he can defend himself from paris a little better.

[chantal.charbonneau2426]

I just put Paris back into the big tank with Kubota and she nipped but didn't actually get him. Then they swam around together, Kubota seems to be getting a bit more brave around her. But Paris reared up her head as if she were going to bite like she usually does when we're feeding her fish so I grabbed her as quickly as I could. My heart was pounding the whole time she was in there, I was sooooo afraid she was going to like bite one of his legs off or something! I know I'm realistically worried about nothing but I can't help it. Hopefully it gets easier!! If not we've got a game plan so it won't be too bad.

We're going to get a big tank and somehow put a partition in the middle that way they're still in the same tank but just can't get at each other!

[Sir Max]

If your goin to introduce them more often

keep an eye on them

[chantal.charbonneau2426]

I absolutely refuse to move from the near the tank while I've got them together. I'm super paranoid that since Paris has been on her own for so long that she's just not going to take to him at all. I was just on Kijiji and found a few tanks for more than reasonable prices so I'm going to look into that option and just keep two tanks for now until I can afford a BIG one and split it somehow.

Thanks for all your help!