General Care Discussion :: Turtle Aggression

[Jimothy]

I have 3 RES living in a 40g tall tank they have outgrown:



I have a partially plumbed 180g tank that will be ready soon:



They have been sexed to 'probably be' a male and 2 females, though the absense of longer front claws at 2+ years old confuses me. They have diff personalities, with 2 being tame and calm to handle and 1 very much wanting to bite. They also are differing degrees of aggressive with eachother, for the first time this week I noticed a small bite wound on one's foot.

I hope the new, larger living arangements will calm things down... what do you think?

[megcornell]

If you're not seeing signs of a male at that size, then they're female. Once turtles are over 4 inches they can be sexed by their nails and tails. If you're not seeing those characteristic long nails, then it's not a guy.

As for the aggression, once it starts it really doesn't stop. I'd figure out who the culprit is and leave them in the 40g and move the other two to the 180 gallon. Then if the last two fight, at least you can divide the tank in half.