Tankmates - Turtles and Pl*cos?

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 18 Feb 2003, 01:43

Hi!

As i plan to move to my girlfriend sometime next year im allready thinkign of what kinda tank i setup at her place cauz mine just wont fit...so ive looked at corner tanks...

As she isnt into fish a whole lot we thought about getting some small water turtles (afaik the ones we checked top out at 15-20 cm and arent good swimmers) and i know all sources say keeping turtles and fish doesnt work...would turtles and well sized plecos work out? Im thinking about a 300 litre setup with my L77 Cochliodons and the L114. Anybody has any idea if this would work out?
Sorry for posting here but i wasnt sure where itd fit...

Post by **Silurus** » 18 Feb 2003, 02:45

Most freshwater turtles aren't fully aquatic, and would not be very comfortable in a regular aquarium (they do better in terrariums).
Well, you can always try a pig-nosed turtle (<i>Carettochelys</i>), as they are aquatic enough not to require any land. They seem fairly docile, but don't take my word for it as I'm not much of a herpetologist.

Post by **Dinyar** » 18 Feb 2003, 04:18

The other problem you will have is that turtles are poop factories. The only fishes I can think of that would survive in that kind of foul water are possibly Clarias spp.

Dinyar

polkadot · Post by **polkadot** » 18 Feb 2003, 04:52

Turtles can really messed up the water if your filtration is just enough. They urined in the water. Used to have a 1 foot fly river turtle.

coelacanth · Post by **coelacanth** » 18 Feb 2003, 08:46

Caol_ila wrote:As she isnt into fish a whole lot we thought about getting some small water turtles (afaik the ones we checked top out at 15-20 cm and arent good swimmers) and i know all sources say keeping turtles and fish doesnt work...would turtles and well sized pl*cos work out?

I wouldn't. First reason is, even herbivorous aquatic chelonians will make use of extra protein when the opportunity arises. I found this out over 20 years ago, and it's a mistake I won't make again.
Next, many farmed 'turtles' carry Salmonella. This could make water changes a needlessly hazardous process.
They will place huge demands on any filtration system, and are likely to cause extreme fluctuations of water quality.
Chelonians are incredibly strong for their size (we have an 85 year-old tortoise, and when he wants to go somewhere he just goes!), and could ccause a collapse of any decor with unfortunate results for sheltering catfish.
They are also likely to stress bottom-dwelling Catfish just by virtue of their moving around the aquarium and trampling the fish.
There may be problems during feeding. If a Catfish is sat chewing something juicy, it will not appreciate being pestered by a creature much heavier than itself, and this could result in severe physical damage if they both try to eat the same thing at the same time.
Pete

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 18 Feb 2003, 13:53

Ok thx guys that pretty much killed the idea...

The salmonella brings me a step closer to a pleco tank...

Just throw some zebras in and shell be happy...

I wonder that ppl buy turtles for their kids when they carry salmonella...i think your doctor has to give notice to the authorities here if a human has salmonella...

Ben · Post by **Ben** » 21 Feb 2003, 07:10

The only fish I've heard of that can live with turtles are goldfish. Have a friend that has a turtle, put a gold fish in for a feeder, and it never got eaten. It ended up just getting bigger, and bigger, and now they are buddies

A side note, because of health reasons it is illegal for stores to sell turtles here, though it is not illegal to own them.

Tankmates - Turtles and Pl*cos?

Tankmates - Turtles and Pl*cos?

Re: Tankmates - Turtles and Pl*cos?