Introducing feeder fish in your tank is a fun way to add variety to it while offering your turtles an additional source of food They will help in cleaning your tank by eating any residue food materials and algae in your aquarium; thus, assisting in maintaining clean water
What fish will clean a turtle tank?
Some fish, like Otocinclus catfish (“Oto’s”) and Hypostomus plecostomus (“plecos” or “plecs”), can help keep the water clean by eating algae and scavenging for leftovers on the bottom of the tank
Do fish keep turtle tank clean?
Add Working Fish Some catfish do this, as do plecos, otos, and ghost fish These fish are great at KEEPING your water balanced, BUT there are a few caveats here First, your water needs to be already fairly well-balanced prior to putting them in Fish are much more sensitive to ammonia levels than turtles
Can you put feeder fish in turtle tank?
Use feeder fish that are smaller and easier for your turtles to eat The best feeder fish for turtles are killifish, guppies, mosquitofish, platies, bluegills, bass and crappies Do not give your turtles feeder fish more than a few times a month (to be safe)
Why does my turtle tank get cloudy so fast?
The cloudiness from your tank comes from waterborne bacteria that are establishing themselves in response to the presence of waste from your turtle Over time they will colonize your filter and break down waste into less harmful products to be removed during water changes
Is purified water good for turtles?
In most cases you are perfectly fine using tap water, but you should use a water conditioner unless you’ve really investigated your local area’s water supply However, if you have an exotic turtle species, or know they are sensitive to water changes and chemicals distilled or filtered water is a better solution
What can I put in a turtle tank?
A turtle tank should have a dry dock (land) area as well as a mesh or wire lid (glass lids are not suitable) The water volume should fill at least half of the tank A substrate such as course gravel or crushed limestone (calgrit) can be used along with the addition of plants and driftwood to provide them with cover
Is live fish good for turtles?
Since you cannot determine how healthy a specific type of fish is to your pet turtle, it is best if you feed them live fish every once in a while Chasing down fish for a turtle provides great mental stimulation and excitement, and it also ‘livens’ up your tank’s environment
Can I feed my turtle dead fish?
Wild turtles have little chance of eating raw meat, especially chicken or beef However, they eat dead fish They use fish as part of the turtle’s daily diet However, it is a good idea to feed turtles as a treat
Can turtles live with tropical fish?
Can turtles live with tropical fish? Turtles are not compatible with tropical fish Even if you think your turtle is small and won’t cause any damage, it will eventually grow Turtles can’t be trusted with tropical fish and you should avoid keeping them together
How often should a turtle tank be cleaned?
At least once a week: Replace some of the water in the tank with clean water Even if your turtles’ swimming water looks fine, it could be high in ammonia or nitrite Every two to three weeks: Clean out the whole tank and refresh the filter
Can you put an algae eater in a turtle tank?
You can also add in animals that eat algae like snails and plecos However, your turtle might eat them so you’ll have to replace them continuously
Is cloudy water bad for turtles?
Of course, turtles also defecate in their water, so maintaining good water quality can be a challenge Cloudy and smelly water in a turtle tank is a common problem, but even water that looks clean can harbor waste products such as ammonia and nitrites that can build up to harmful levels
What animals can live with turtles in a tank?
Very small, agile fish like guppies may be able to survive with turtles, though they may overpopulate the tank Goldfish and minnows are often kept with turtles because of their low cost; if they are eaten, they can easily and affordably be replaced
How do you keep a turtle tank from smelling?
How to Get Rid of Turtle Tank Odors Remove Uneaten Food Use a skimmer net to remove any leftover food floating on the surface of your turtle tank at the end of the day Clean Molted Shell Skin Maintain Adequate Temperature Clean the Tank Clean a Dry Tank
How often do I feed my turtle?
The frequency of feeding depends on the age and size of your red-eared slider Smaller or juvenile turtles will eat heartily every day As they get older, adult turtles may be offered a good-sized portion of food every two or three days
What happens if my turtle doesn’t bask?
If they live in an environment where they cannot bask, they will likely get stressed, which can cause a number of other health conditions
Why is my turtle staying in one spot?
He’s lethargic; he just stays in that one spot Or maybe it’s the opposite, he’s swimming erratically in the water In fact, all of these symptoms can be indicators that your turtle has a bacterial infection and simply cleaning the water will not solve the problem
Should I leave my turtles heat lamp on at night?
Many turtle owners wonder if they need to keep the light on in their turtle’s tank at night Luckily, the answer to that is no Your turtle will be just fine if the light is turned off during night time hours It is actually recommended that they are exposed to a natural amount of light and darkness each day
Can turtles live in tap water?
Can Turtles Live In Tap Water? Turtles can live in tap water, but you may need to treat it first This is because there is a possibility that it contains a bit of chlorine For humans, this can be beneficial, but for turtles, it can irritate their eyes
Is tap water OK for turtles?
Do not use tap water for your tank, as tap water contains chlorine and possibly fluoride which can upset the pH balance of your system De-chlorinated water needs to be used for the swimming area and filtered water for your turtle to drink Turtles can carry Salmonella
Does turtle need air pump?
Do Turtle Tanks Need Air Pumps? The short answer is no Turtles and fish are fundamentally different because turtles come to the surface to breathe air Fish process oxygen in the water through their gills