Terrapin

[KyleJ]

Recently took a trip to a new lfs and noticed some terrapins in a tank with some silver sharks and clown loaches! The guy who owned the shop said he took them off someone who wanted to get rid of them.

My question is, my girlfriend was with me at the time and now wants one for herself, can you keep a terrapin with tropical fish? I relise they need land outside the water, I was think a big rock to stick out. More importantly has anyone actually done this or seen it done before?

 

[bunjiweb]

I think everyone would agree that the answer to this is most certainly not. Terrapins and most turtles can be opportunistic predators and it would be very likely that it would take chunks out of some of your fish.

Also as you have said they need land to come out of, but a single rock would not be enough really.

I have heard of other people trying this with very short term success, although I have not tried it myself I would certainly not be tempted to. If you want turtles, get yourself a 3 or 4ft x 2ft tank 3/4 water with rock and gravel sloped to one end. Although terrapins might look cute and small now, be warned, they can live for many years and grow large!

Ben

 

[SirMinion]

It depends on the species, but if you mean the most commonly found species, the Red-Eared Terrapin (also known as the Red-Eared Slider), or a close relative then absolutely not.

These reptiles grow quickly to a foot long and eat anything that moves. They require enough land to haul out onto entirely and need a specialist reptile basking heat lamp and the correct frequency of lightbulb. Without these things they quickly succumb to vitamin deficiency and calcium depletion (they cannot absord the vitamin through food and MUST get it from the right kind of light, without the vitamin they cannot use the calcium in their food and they get brittle, deformed bones and a soft shell)

 

[KyleJ]

Ahh I didnt think so just thought id check, she'll have to keep it seperate then, thanks for the advise

 

[bubblyc]

hi ok dont know if anybody can help me but really do need help.

Am looking to start up vivarium for terrapins, and i have a diagam but dont know what a heater stat is or a powerhead is. so i was wondering if anybody could tell me what they are. x

 

[RESGuy]

Have ANY turtle questions?


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