General Care Discussion :: Older RES w/baby RES

[Alaska]

Hello all, we are new to this Forum so our apologies if this topic has been covered before. We did try to search this site for this specific topic before posting.

We are soon acquiring a 6" RES with its existing tank set up. The tank size is small for its size but the RES appears to be fine and healthy. Not sure the gender of the RES. We have a much larger aquarium to move it to and have done extensive reading and research as to proper care and indoor habitat requirements which are in place. This site has been very helpful.

So how compatible is a mature RES (say a 6" size) with a baby RES that is about the size of a half dollar coin? I'm sure there are variables on all this but any insight is appreciated. We are not at this time getting a smaller one, just wanting to know.

Thanks

[Love of Animals]

It's really not suggested. A six inch res could kill a hatchling with one bite. With such a size difference I'd be afraid the little one would be seen as food. Welcome to the site. That res is lucky you got him. Please post pics when you get him. Res are more solitary and don't mind being alone. You an get some fish if you want to liven up the tank, but they might become dinner.

[SquidSox]

That much size difference it is no smart to pu them together ever if the bigger one doesn't try to eat them the baby could get hurt by accident during feed he could get bit is he could get scratched while swimming. Also a res that lige is usualy sexualy matue ad culd have aggression or try to defend its territory and attack the baby I would not suggest it. When the baby get larger(5 to 6 inches) you can try putting them together but kep a close eye ou for aggresion and fighting

[Alaska]

Thank you for the replies and insight, we strongly suspected that the young need to be sheltered from the old. The older RES we are soon to acquire has lived a solo life and we will get more life history soon. We've done our research on proper foods and amounts and we will assure the diet does not include baby RES turtles. We'll provide them (if we get them at some point) a home of their own for sure.