If you want to spice up your fish tank, you may be considering adding new fish or even a completely new animal into the mix. It is important to understand which animals can and cannot live together with fish in a fish tank. Just because an animal lives in water doesn’t mean it will be a good fit for your fish tank. In today’s article, we will discuss whether it is a good idea to put a small turtle in your fish tank.
Can I put a small turtle in my fish tank?
Yes, you can put a small turtle in your fish tank, but there are many things you need to be aware of. First, even if a turtle is small now, they will most likely grow to at least 5-7 inches by adulthood. Just because a turtle is small now, doesn’t mean that it will fit in your fish tank when it grows. We recommend that you only put small turtles in a fish tank that is at least 50 gallons.
What type of habitat do turtles need in a fish tank?
Additionally, we don’t recommend putting a small turtle into a fish tank with just any species of fish. It is important that the fish can live in similar conditions as the turtle. If you have a small turtle in your fish tank, you should try to keep the water temperature around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, turtles are semi aquatic animals meaning that they live in the water and on land. This is why you commonly see turtles climbing on branches that stick out of the water. You should also have a dry land part of your aquarium that is at least 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is essential that you have enough dry land for your turtle to rest on when it doesn’t want to swim. If there is not enough dry land, your turtle will become very stressed. We also recommend having some sort of hiding spot for your turtle inside the fish tank.
Additionally, compared to fish, turtles create a lot more waste from their excrement and from their eating habits. Therefore, it is very important that you have a very strong filter that can clean the water. We recommend regularly testing the pH level of the water when you first put the small turtle in the fish tank. You should also try feeding the turtle and fish in different parts of the tank to ensure they both get enough food. If you feed them at the same time together, they may become aggressive with one another.
What type of fish can live with a turtle in a fish tank?
As you read above, turtles require relatively warm water. Therefore, you should only put in fish that can survive water temperatures of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Zebrafish are a great option. Additionally, you want to have a fish that is at least 2 inches long. Smaller fish might be eaten by the turtle. It is also good to have fish that are very fast so that they can escape the turtle if need be.
