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Okay first off, I'm sorry if this has been asked a million times but I did search and read on the cohabitation section on the site but I just wanted to read some feedback from people.

So I've had my RES for about 7 months now and she's about 2 1/2 inches, give or take. I'm really really wanting to get another though. I've read A LOT about turtles fighting when they're different sizes and all that but I was wondering if it'd be a good idea to add another hatchling now?

I know they don't get lonely and all but I want another one So any opinions or your own stories would be greatly appreciated! Thx.

what about getting another tank and keeping the other one seperate?

Another turtle means another setup, sorry, not the answer you wanted. Even if you could get one and put it in with the other one and they get along NOW, it is more than likely that in the FUTURE, they won't get along. RES are loners and very aggressive. Most of the people on here that have multiple ones together still have young turtles, and they have accepted that at any minute, they will need an additional setup.

Why do you want another turtle? Isn't one little baby enough (for the next 25+ years)?

Search for one of Tenodera's recent posts. He left a baby in with a slightly larger turtle for only a few minutes and the baby was killed ...

I had Speedy & Squirtle for 4 years together since they were hatchlings. Speedy is 6 inches now and Squirt is 5 inches. The week before easter we added Sandy who was a 6 inch rescue that was given up to a local PetCo. No one on here will tell you to add but I did anyway. The key is space. As long as they are about the same size and they have enough space you might be ok. Everyone is happy and fine. They even spend the day in the kiddie pool with my softshell.

Jax- I must be newer than I thought... I had no idea that happened to Tenodera's baby!

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15661

It was a sad, sad day ...

I have been reading a little about other aquatic turtles, such as the painted turtles or red or yellow belly turtles, I heard they get along with other turtles better. What is your all's take on them? I sort of see myself falling into the turtle hobby and would want more than just one. RES are tempermental, but the what about the others?

i had a red ear slider for 6 months he was given to me and had a turtle in his tank before but i bought a yellow belly slider that was a little smaller. the first day i put the yellow belly in they showed no signs of aggression at all they seem to like each other i dont know if it will last forever though i always read they could become aggressive later in life. for right now though they are doing great both very active. also the yBs basks on the res sometimes. they sleep in different spots on the tank so that isn't a problem. you just have to remember to spread out the food when you feed them. my res likes fish more then the yBs and the yBs gets more pellets. it kind of works out that way. i hope i helped you.

More than likely, if you have multiple species in a tank, the RES will be the aggressor. You can usually put some of the other better tempered turtles together, but just remember, you have to be ready at any moment to separate them for life. As long as you can accept potentially needing additional space for tanks and the costs associated with it, you can definitely try.

I personally think one RES is a handful on his own, so my next animals will be of a different variety, maybe lizards!

TheComputerGremlin wrote:I personally think one RES is a handful on his own, so my next animals will be of a different variety, maybe lizards!

I agree!

Haha I did exactly what you are thinking about. Got Squirt, then branched out and got crested geckos.

Thats funny! Thats what happen to me too. I never really had "herps" before except a newt I had for a while when I was a kid. I was given my turtle as a gift, and it was all over after that. I got a gecko and a couple of whites tree frogs. I want to get a beardie and a tortoise now, but I gotta wait a bit.

I went through the exact same situation about 4 or 5 months ago.

i already had my first RES for about 5 months, and he was about 3 inches. and i wanted to get another one.

i was a noob so i didnt see any problem in just putting them in the same tank.
ive never really seen any problems with them except the fact that when they both beg the bigger turtle can just overpower the other one with its legs when it swims crazily.

also when i feed them, they fight for food, and the bigger RES has a mean bite now a days so id watch for agression if anything.

other wise theyve pretty much adpated to each others company by now and bask with each other all the time

Well thanks for the feedback guys! It seems kinda split, I always hear both good and bad things. But I guess I should just really think about the future with my one turtle. I guess it just seems easy now cuz it's just one and she's so tiny. Maybe I will stay with just one.

Sounds like a wise choice to me. We've seen where turtles sometimes cohabit for years then one day get fed up with one another and start biting each other. Your turtle will love getting all your attention for herself.

A few months ago I started with two turtles and didnt know possible issues with fighting, they were for my two sons. I liked them so much I got one as well. NOW, with the help from this site I know much more and better educated on many levels. The key is size of the setup. You could get two in a very large tank...around 200+ gallons and "could" have no issues. Females I believe are more aggressive, thus if you have a male he could be in trouble or one female dominating the other. Signs of aggression are tails and toes being bite off! My issue(s) were nails and the back of necks. I have one turtle by himself and two together and I am ever watchful for them to start fighting. I am about 90% certain, due to age and other ways, that I have two males and one female. She is the dominate one and one of the males was as well. They heal well and fairly fast, but it could lead to death of one.

packfan1, your post reminds me of several situations where RES suddenly became aggressive once they were moved to a bigger enclosure. There is never a guarantee on peaceful cohabitation.