I keep three turtles with 18 fish, and haven't had any problems...
However you need to be proactive with your fish choices.
1) Pay attention to the fish and where they swim mostly - anything that stays towards the top third of the tank will always bee within the vision of turtles, thus constant reminder of being food
2) How fast they swim - no matter where they swim, or how many hides you have - if your fish is slow, your fish is chow
3) How agressive they are (individual or schools) - if the fish is somewhat agressive, it will defend itself from the fish. If the school is agressive the group as a whole while defend each.
4) What are their temperature ranges - do they live in similar climate as your turtles
5) What is your waters pH - this one is big, most things you add to decorate a turtle tank (plus turtle waste) increases the pH of the water, and not many fish enjoy high pH
6) Nocturnal or Durinal - Turtles are Durinal, so you don't want fish that will be asleep during this time
7) Eating habits - Sinking fish food, will not bring the fish to the surface - thus making them targets... but not all fish eat this type of food.
Now with tank set up:
Give your fish a lot of low spaces to hide. Your turtle can get down and under then up into things, but if its low with little for the turtle to get under, it generally won't providing safe hide for our fish. But don't go overboard - turtles need a lot of room to swim
Also fish require a certain amount of moving water (keeping it aerated and "fresh" for em), however turtles like a bit calmer waters.
As you can see - its a balancing act when it comes to the tank
My tank is a 175 gallon, includes:
two 4" and a 2.5" turtle
three sailfin plecos
three rainbow sharks
six rosey barbs
six odessa barbs
I also throw in a handful of ghost shrimps from time to time - they are cheap help clean the tank, and always end up with food.
Equipment wise:
1 125 gallon internal turtle filter - not really used for filtration, I have it by the plants to keep them "moving"
1 150 gallon hanging filter - again not really used for filtration, I use it to break up surface tension in the water so I don't get a oily look
1 450 gallon eheim internal filter - the beast that does all the work (and doubles as an alternate above water platform
1 magnetic large dock (this is temporary until I make one myself)
then the proper lighting.
The reason I piked my fish are:
Sailfin Plecos - they get large, and are excellent bottom cleaners, that control algae blooms when they happen (they will with all the bio load
)
Rainbow Sharks - get biggish (6-8") are agressive, are low water feeders that will bottom feed, but also feed anything that is down there (ghost shrimp, small fry, etc)
Barbs - Fast, agile, and reproduce almost every time you do a water change
I have yet had many reach adult, but its good natural food for the turtles
In ending - having fish with turtles will make your tank look much more interesting and "natural" to look at - however be prepared for the challenges and added issues it brings.
I can answer any questions that come to mind (if able I am of course)
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:58 am Ambitious idea?
