Can I Feed My Red Eared Slider Live Fish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Feeding wild-caught fish and amphibians is not recommended

, as they may contain parasites and other infectious organisms that may affect the turtle. Raw meat, fish, or chicken from the grocery store does not contain a balance of calcium and phosphorus for a turtle and is not recommended as a food source for turtles.

What fish can red-eared sliders live with?

Red ear sliders will try to eat most fish kept with them. In a large habitat,

fish like koi may survive with red ear sliders

, though the turtles may nip their fins. Very small, agile fish like guppies may be able to survive with turtles, though they may overpopulate the tank.

What happens if a turtle eats a fish?

When turtles eat a small fish, they don’t chew it, they simply swallow it as it is. And

the spine bones of the fish can scratch them, which can lead to internal bleeding, which can be fatal

.

What fish can live with turtles in a tank?

There are three kinds of fish that will fit in the fish tank together with the most common pet turtle. They are

tetra fish, zebrafish, yellow cichlids

. For those who have never put a fish in a turtle tank, it’s recommended that you start with a small amount of tetra or zebrafish. Both species are cheap.

Can I feed my turtle live fish?


Feeding live fish can provide your turtle with the mental stimulation and exercise that comes with the challenge of chasing and catching its dinner

. Fish also can be a good source of calcium for turtles, as long as they eat the entire fish, bones and all.

Do red eared sliders bite?


Red Eared Sliders bite

, and the bite can be quite painful. But it’s highly unlikely because these reptiles don’t bite “just because.” Instead, these reptiles bite if you push them too hard. Thankfully, you can prevent this behavior.

Why is my turtle attacking my fish?

First, the turtles are eating the fish

because fish are food, not friends

. Turtles are omnivores and fish make up part of their natural diet. There’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop it other than separating them from each other. You cannot train turtles to treat food as anything but food.

Can two red-eared sliders live together?

Multiple Species


As long as the enclosure is large enough, you can house a red-eared slider with other species who share the same housing requirements

. But a red-eared slider may outcompete and outgrow the other species. Red-eared sliders are active, large and strong.

What is the lifespan of a red-eared slider?

30 years

Can you put turtles and fish in the same tank?


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 big do red-eared sliders get?

Full grown adults that have been raised with plenty of space available to them can reach

12 inches in length

, with females usually being larger in size. There are rare instances of adult red-eared sliders growing larger than 12 inches. Red-eared sliders can live a long life in captivity.

Can turtles live in a tank full of water?


Aquatic turtles can live in a tank or pond, in groups, and with larger fish

(they’ll eat small fish). These guys are strong swimmers and need an aquarium that’s at least 55 gallons in volume.

Can turtles get lonely?

Do turtles get lonely? No, turtles are not social animals and as a result,

they don’t get lonely

. Turtles actually prefer to be alone, and not in the company of other turtles or animals.

Do turtles eat small fish?

Most pet turtles are omnivorous, meaning they enjoy both plants and meat, so treating your pet turtle to a small fish snack every now and then is a good idea.

Pet turtles, depending on their size and age, enjoy small fish like minnows and gold fish.

Can I put goldfish with turtles?


Avoid pairing up turtles and goldfish

or any other tropical fish species. Avoid any type of fish or creature that has the ability to injure, main or kill your turtle.

What can Red eared turtles eat?

What do red-eared sliders eat? Juveniles and adults can be fed a base diet of commercially available pellets or sticks that are made for aquatic turtles, along with vegetable matter such as dark leafy greens (dandelion, mustard and collard greens with chopped broccoli, carrots, squash and green beans).

Do red-eared sliders like to be held?

As much as you want to, don’t play with your turtle as you would a pet cat or other animal.

Turtles generally do not like touched or held

. This causes lots of stress and anxiety. If you do need to pick up your baby red-eared slider, do it by scooping it so that it is sitting on your hand.

Do red-eared sliders get lonely?

Do pet turtles get lonely if they don’t have a companion?

No!

The fact is that turtles will be totally fine on their own. They don’t need to share a tank with another turtle to be happy and content, and you don’t need to worry about turtle loneliness!

How long does it take a red-eared slider to full grown?

They typically reach this length at the age of 5 to 6 years. It can take about

8 years

for red-eared sliders to reach their full length, which is generally between 18 to 30 cm (7 to 12 inches). What is this? Of course, the growth rate varies from one individual to another.

Can red-eared sliders get high?


Yes, turtles can get high

. Scientists have discovered cannabinoids receptors inside turtles’ bodies, which allow them to be affected by cannabis, as well as other similar hallucinogens.

Are red-eared sliders aquatic?

General information. The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is probably the most popular pet aquatic turtle. These turtles are

semi-aquatic turtles

(they like to leave the water to bask in the sun) native to the warmer southern United States.

Which fish is best for turtles?

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).

How many red-eared sliders are in a tank?

However, it may be possible to house

two Red Eared Sliders together

, or even a Painted with a Red Ear, because their care requirements are the same: a good protein pellet, leafy greens and veggies, with the occasional shrimp or fruit treat; a water temperature of between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and a basking area …

What do turtles play with?

Shells – Turtles love playing with

empty shells

. These are great natural toys for chasing, flipping, and investigating. Rafts – Your turtle will also love it if you put a small raft or other floating objects in their tank. They can sink them or push them around the tank.

Can I put a baby turtle with a big turtle?

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.