General Care Discussion :: Turtle aggression

[PatriciaTheora]

I have two Red Eared Sliders, they have been together since hatching and are now about three years old. Only recently have I been noticing an increase in aggression toward one another. Mainly, biting at the others neck, and lots of claw fluttering. It is usually Michelangelo, the bigger of the two, picking at Mal. He isn't much bigger, but displays dominating behavior over Mal. I am currently in the process of upgrading their tank, hoping that the increase in size will eliminate this behavior. But until then I am asking for any tips, advice or anything that I can do to calm them down. I don't want either to get hurt.

[apondfortimmy]

If it's a big enough tank, you might be able to put a piece of something in between as a divider. Eggcrate, maybe, since the water could flow through and all. They might climb it, though, and it'd have to go all the way up, even through the basking area.

How big are you looking to go? How big do you have now?
I have one turtle with missing claws because her tankmate bit her repeatedly. This was before I got the two of them and they are in a much larger tank now; I haven't noticed any aggressive behaviour between the two of them since I've taken them in, so a bigger tank just might do it.

I'll let the experts chime in here on this, though, and just offer my advice as anecdotal.

Cute picture - he looks like he's smiling. And has a classy mustache.

[PatriciaTheora]

I've been saving money like a crazy person, I want to buy at least a 125 gallon tank for them. I have a 75 gallon aquarium as of now and I know that is nowhere near the amount of space they need. I'm really thinking about buying them both seperate tanks, this morning I noticed a small scab on the back of Mals neck, I cried because I hadn't noticed it until now. I checked him over and made sure he wasn't bitten or hurt anywhere else. I have never seen this type of behavior from either one of them until now.

I read an article on training Red Eared Sliders, I honestly don't think it can be done. Have you ever heard of such a thing?

And thank you! I would post a picture of Mal too but he is a bit more shy and doesn't like to pose for the camera

[apondfortimmy]

If you do two tanks, you certainly could just make the basking area on the same side and save money on lighting, right? I wonder if you could use one big filter for two tanks.

I think that any creature can be trained, it's just whether or not they will allow it, personality-wise. I know Betty has US trained, but Sheldon is learning to be friendlier just by constant attention. The others .... the others I don't think would be as receptive. I think you have a chance but if you can get two tanks set up, you might want to opt for that since it's immediate.

Eeee, turtles. I call love like yours (and mine) Herp Derp, because love makes me silly.

[PatriciaTheora]

My turtles both have strong personalities, I don't know how I always end up with crazy animals lol. None of my friends or family understand that, the main response is "They are just turtles, turtles don't have personalities.". But other turtle owners such as yourself know exactly what I am talking about. I like to say that the day they became mine, I also became theirs. ^_^

[PatriciaTheora]

This is one of my favorite pictures of Michelangelo. I call it "basking superman style"

[steve]

So you have a male and female?

[PatriciaTheora]

No, two males.

[CactusJohn5]

No, two males.

Well that saves me a bunch of time! lol

Sadly to say it is VERY very VERY rare for two mature(adult) male RES to live together in harmony. heck it's tough to get a male RES to live in harmony with anything, they are VERY aggressive period, tank size will not matter, sadly.

I know, i have a 300 gallon stock tank and my male RES is very aggressive with his female tank mates.

Best bet, find a 125 aquarium, or 150gallon rubbermaid stock tank, and just divide it in half, it's going to cost a little money, but in the long term they will thank you.

[PridgNYC]

Or just get another 75 gallon if you have the room and give each his own space.

[PatriciaTheora]

As of now, Mal has a little pink spot in the top of his neck from where Michelangelo bit him. I am taking them to a reptile vet, hopefully he will be okay.

[steve]

A small bite probably won't require a vet visit. I'd put that money into addressing the problem... either a larger tank or another one.

[PatriciaTheora]

Thats what I have decided to do. I am watching them closely and making sure Mals neck is healing properly. It is obvious that it doesnt require dire medical attention, so I am putting the money that I would have spent at the vet just to have him looked at toward a big aquarium. Thanks for all of the help.

[steve]

Do it as soon as you can... they like to bite in the same areas, which would make it worse.

[PatriciaTheora]

I thought I would update all of you who have helped me with my crazy turtles!
After posting about my turtles and their aggression, it had only gotten worse. I would wake up in the middle of the night to the sight of Mikey thrashing Mal around by his tail. I had lost hope, they would most definitely have to be separated or they will both harm one another. When i adopted them, the woman gave me a tank that shouldn't even hold one RES in it, let alone two full grown males.
BUT, i do have wonderful news!
I bought a huge tank for a steal at a flea market thats over 100 gallons for 10 dollars.
Though i was still nervous about having them both in the same aquarium, the size really makes a different. They aren't acting aggressively, they have so much room to swim, they hardly even notice one another. They seem more calm, less stressed. Which makes me more calm, and less stressed.

Just wanted to say to everyone who was kind enough to help me, thank you so much.