All Turtles Message Board

TSBD · Guest Joined: 25 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

I have a fairly new concrete pond (5 months new) and have approx 35-40 very large (8-10 inches) gold fish along with feeder fish, misquito fish, or are they minoes..(not sure of the name, but they multiply worse than rabbits), any ways, the other day, my son purchased a Red Ear Slider and now he too is in the pond as well... oh, and I also forgot there are approx 3-4 crawdads, and at least 1 baby crawdad that I am aware of.

So... with that said, and from what I have been reading on this web site, the turtle my son purchased is basically going to eat everything in my pond? The turtle's shell is about the size of a coffee cup saucer. He can't possible take over the gold fish can he???

The feeder fish we have swim right past him and he doesn't do anything.... I am wondering if he is blind at night as well, because he seems to ram into the walls with his head only in the evening though. Is that possible?

Based on the size I just gave you of his shell, how old is he? Is he considered a baby still? or is he an adult? I don't know what to feed him since I don't know how old he is. Do I feed him meat stil, or all the other stuff?

I don't have any dirt for him to play in at all as the bottom of the pond is layered with rocks. We have a concrete island that he climbs up on and sun baths in, but it has tiny little rocks and dirt below those rocks that he lays on top of. We also have an upside down planter that he loves to go into (my son cut out perfect piece of it for him to get inside and sleep.) Should I make is resting area on the pond a soft marshy area for him? Is that what they would prefer when son bathing?

I think that's it for now..... Thanks! ~ Christine

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

Hard to say on age, unless you kow the exact date he was hatched. ANd yes you run a very high chance of the turtle eating everything in your pond, meaning the fish. Even though he may not be looking at them when you are around, sonner or later you will notice you have less fish.

dkm1 · Level 1 Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 17

Would love to see your set up. please . If you can.

hoover05 · Level 3 Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 137

Turtles love to eat. I'll give mine 10 guppies and the majority of them will be gone within the first day, the rest within 2 or 3 days... 'cept she normally seems to 'save' 1 for two months or so, I do not know if she can't catch it or just likes it. Laughing

Eventually though, it ends up 'missing.'

I don't know if the turtle would eat your gold fish for sure right now since they are so large, but turtles can get up to 12". So, a turtle with a shell the size of a dinner plate would be able to take your gold fish on. Sad

If you're okay with some of your fish missing, than I would say leave him. If not, move him ASAP, maybe indoors to a tank?

You can feed your turtle turtle food, they come in floating pellets and ball shape things. I can't remember which they like more of at this stage, fruits & veggies or meat... maybe give him a little of both and see which he takes to more... but unless you're really careful and know what you're doing, the turtle food you buy at pet stores should be the main item in his diet.

I hope this helps!
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I love my turtle....

My wonderful sister payed out the wazoo to get me her so I guess I better love her Smile