Isabella Flores
Painted turtles are aquatic turtles that spend most of their time swimming and require a large tank of at least 100 gallons of water. They are also territorial and aggressive towards each other, so it is best to keep them alone unless you have a large pond. However, some sources suggest that painted turtles can live with other species such as slider turtles and Florida red-bellied turtles. When it comes to fish, painted turtles will not hesitate to eat them, so only large, fast, or well-armored fish are likely to survive. Some recommended fish include rosy barbs, sunfish, koi, and suckerfish. Other animals that can be kept with painted turtles include crayfish, shrimp, and snails, although these may be seen as food and should be monitored closely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fish | Goldfish, guppies, minnows, koi, oscars, bluegills, suckerfish, rosy barbs, crayfish, and other small, fast-swimming, or armoured fish |
| Turtles | Yes, but only if they are the same size, species, or at least species-compatible, and have the same care requirements |
| Snails | Yes, but they are likely to be eaten |
| Crayfish | Yes, but they are likely to be eaten and may be aggressive |
| Shrimp | Yes, but they may upset the turtle's diet and are likely to be eaten |
| Crabs | Likely to be eaten |
| Amphibians | No, they can be toxic |
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What You'll Learn
Slider turtles and Florida red-bellied turtles
Slider turtles, also known as red-eared sliders, are a subspecies of Trachemys scripta, native to the Southeastern United States, including Florida. They typically inhabit areas with a source of still, warm water, such as ponds, lakes, swamps, creeks, and slow-flowing rivers. In the wild, they are often found sunbathing in groups or even on top of each other. They require a diet of aquatic plants, though they are carnivorous in their juvenile stage.
Florida red-bellied turtles, also known as Florida red-bellied cooters, are another species of turtle native to Florida. They are semi-aquatic and spend a significant amount of time in the water. They require a diet of aquatic vegetation and small fish.
Both slider turtles and Florida red-bellied turtles have similar habitat and dietary needs. They can be kept together in a large enclosure or outdoor pond that meets their requirements. The habitat should provide ample space for them to swim and bask, with a dry area for sunbathing and a water source that is properly filtered and maintained.
It is important to note that turtles are social creatures, and they generally do well when housed with other turtles of similar size. However, some turtles may exhibit territorial behaviour, so it is crucial to provide enough space and resources to minimise aggression.
Regarding their diet, both slider turtles and Florida red-bellied turtles can be fed a variety of aquatic plants and small fish. It is important to ensure that the fish are fast-swimming and/or well-armoured to increase their chances of survival with these turtles.
In conclusion, slider turtles and Florida red-bellied turtles can be successfully kept together, provided their habitat and dietary needs are adequately met. A well-maintained and spacious enclosure or pond, along with proper feeding habits, will contribute to the overall health and well-being of these turtles.
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Goldfish, koi, and guppies
Goldfish are cyprinids (carp) and can be kept with painted turtles, but they tend to contain too much fat, which is not ideal for turtles. It is better to get feeder minnows instead of goldfish as they are slimmer and hardier, and can tolerate higher levels of waste in a turtle tank.
Koi can also be kept with painted turtles, but it is important to ensure that the koi are not small, as they may become prey for the turtles. Additionally, turtles produce unique bacteria and create as much waste as 8 to 10 koi, so it is crucial to have sufficient filtration and water capacity to maintain water quality and clarity.
Guppies can be kept with painted turtles, but it is best to avoid fancy guppies with long, flowing fins that slow them down and tempt turtles to chase them. Feeder guppies are a better option as they are quick, inexpensive, and reproduce quickly.
In general, it is important to keep the turtles well-fed and provide them with enough food so they are less likely to chase fish. Hiding spots, such as live or artificial plants, caves, rockwork, and driftwood, can also help improve the chances of fish survival. Keeping turtles with fish from a very early age may also help them coexist peacefully.
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Crayfish and shrimp
Keeping crayfish and shrimp with painted turtles is possible, but it comes with challenges. Firstly, it is important to note that painted turtles are opportunistic omnivores and will eat passing fish or crustaceans, so it is likely they will eat crayfish and shrimp. However, some sources suggest that providing hiding spots for the shrimp and crayfish can increase their chances of survival.
Shrimp, such as ghost shrimp, can be a good tank mate for painted turtles, as they are beneficial in eating algae and food scraps. Ghost shrimp have a decent survival rate if they have appropriate hiding places and cover. However, it is unlikely that you will have a thriving ghost shrimp population, as turtles will eat some of them, and some shrimp may die due to their short lifespan. Other species of shrimp that can be kept with painted turtles include crystal red shrimp and cherry shrimp, which are nice to look at and have good hiding abilities.
Crayfish can also be kept with painted turtles, but they come with added problems. Crayfish are feisty and will defend themselves if attacked by turtles, which has resulted in reports of turtles losing their eyes. Therefore, crayfish should only be kept with larger turtles and provided with more cover.
It is important to note that the success of keeping crayfish and shrimp with painted turtles may vary, and there is a high likelihood that the turtle may eat these animals. It is recommended to start with cheaper species and provide hiding spots to increase the chances of survival.
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Snails
If you do decide to put snails in with a painted turtle, Malaysian trumpet snails may be a good option, as they are palatable to turtles and may hide well enough to survive. Pond snails are another option, although they may not be able to survive against a turtle in large numbers.
It's important to note that painted turtles are opportunistic omnivores and will eat fish and insects, so any small creatures that cannot swim away or defend themselves may be eaten. Therefore, it is recommended to keep them with larger fish, such as goldfish, koi, or suckerfish, which are less likely to be eaten. Providing hiding spots for fish can also help improve their chances of survival.
Additionally, it is worth considering that turtles are territorial and do best when kept alone, unless you have a large pond or tank. Therefore, it may be best to avoid putting other creatures in with a painted turtle, especially if it is a smaller tank.
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Rosy barbs and bluegill sunfish
Rosy barbs (Puntius conchonius) are a good choice of tank mate for painted turtles. They are peppy and active fish, and do well in groups of at least five. They are omnivores, so they will eat some of the organic debris created by turtles, but they may also eat plants in the tank. Rosy barbs are hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, but they will have a shorter lifespan at the higher end of their temperature tolerance. They can be aggressive, but this is usually only when they are not properly cared for. They are a good choice to pair with neon tetras, as the tetras are fast swimmers and school in large groups, so they are rarely bothered by the barbs.
Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) are another option for a painted turtle tank mate. They are territorial and can be aggressive, so they are best kept with other native fish, such as bullheads, other sunfish/bluegills, bass, or same-sized cichlids. They are comfortable in water temperatures in the low 70s, and this is when they would naturally spawn in the wild. They are disc-shaped, which affords them some protection from turtles.
Both rosy barbs and bluegill sunfish can work as tank mates for painted turtles, but it is important to note that painted turtles are opportunistic omnivores and will eat passing fish. Therefore, it is recommended to keep them with large fish, and to provide plenty of hiding spots for the fish.
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Frequently asked questions
Some owners keep painted turtles with other painted turtles, slider turtles, or Florida red-bellied turtles. However, turtles are territorial and aggressive towards each other, so they must be similar in size and age, and their care requirements must be the same.
Crayfish are semi-common cohabitors with turtles. They are excellent at cleaning larger tanks, but they tend to hoard food in one spot. They are healthy meals for turtles, but they will defend themselves, so they should not be kept with baby or juvenile turtles.
Snails are the least popular choice as turtles see them as easy food and calcium. Small species of snails can be good feeders and tank mates, but large snails with trapdoor shells can drown turtles.
Shrimp are popular animals to keep with turtles, especially ghost shrimp. However, they are known to upset diets and cause problems for common turtles, so they must be closely monitored.
Painted turtles are opportunistic omnivores and will eat passing fish, so only extremely quick, large, or well-armed fish are likely to survive. Some options include rosy barbs, sunfish, and goldfish or koi.
