General Care Discussion :: A friend for Ranger?

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I was thinking of buying another turtle (most likely RES and same size as him) for him to have company. Is this a good idea? Ranger has been by himself for over a year now so I don't know how he would react to another turtle.

[mikee]

More than likely they will fight. Your turtle may consider the other one as an intruder. Turtles are turtles and they don't need company. You may have to separate them. You may wind up having to put the second one in another set up. Be careful.

[steve]

By now you know if Ranger is a male. If he is, then keep him alone. If Ranger is a girl, you can try adding another girl but they don't always work out either. Multiple turtles always means you have to be prepared to separate at any moment.

[sflemin2]

I would stick with one. Get him some fishies! (he might eat them though!)

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Oh, okay I don't want any fighting or having to bury a turtle if it gets worse. He kills the fish no matter what haha. Maybe I can try a snail again? Also what about those crabs? I see some freshwater crabs and I was wondering if I could put them in his tank?

[steve]

Anything in the tank has the potential to be eaten.

[sflemin2]

Try faster fish! haha

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

So not even a female RES thats the same size would work?

[sflemin2]

I wouldnt.. I had to get a 150 gallon tank. Mine got to 9" and 10". I am lucky that one is submissive but when they were younger, Raina bit Sylvie's tail clean off . I wish I would have only gotten one ..would have saved me a lot of money (and floor space!). Its neat to watch them together..they love each other.. but I still always worry because Raina still flutters at her all the time. Plus, if you get a female that lays eggs..its really stressful. In my tank, Sylvie became dominant when she was laying eggs..I feel like I really dodged a bullet because Raina was nice enough to back down and let her. They switch back when she was done. I also got them at the same time when they were teeney tiny... I am not sure how it would go since yours isnt a baby anymore.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Ohh, okay. I really wanted another so I can have two swimming around at once but seems like turtles are fighters lol.

[sflemin2]

You could get a tank beside the other tank! haha! Mine have plenty of room but they stay right on top of each other..slapping each other in the face when they swim lol

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Haha, I have a 20 gallon tank but thats too small for a turtle.