General Care Discussion :: Echinodorus 'Rose'?

[The Fluffy Injun]

Are these plants safe inside my turtle aquarium? I did a quick google search which brought be no where. I have noticed small little beak shaped on the plant. I am thinking my hatchlings are eating it. I thought also hatchlings were strictly carnivores. I am a bit confused at the moment. I guess it could also happen during feeding time. they could be biting the plant as the shrimp and krill rest on the leaf. Anyways as usual THANKS FOR THE HELP!

[ataraxiamb]

The general rule is, if it's safe for freshwater fish, it's safe for your turtle. Where did you get the plants? Hatchlings need more protein than older turts, but they should be introduced to veggies and/or aquatic plants as well.

[ljapa]

Well, Amazon sword is in the Echinodorus family, and it's listed here as a safe aquatic plant

http://www.redearslider.com/plants.html

But, I really struggle with this. I ended up building a freshwater refugium out of the old tank I bought off Craigslist just for the stand. I've got some Amazon sword, which is growing rather poorly, some Argentinian sword, and some Hygrophila corymbosa that grows like a weed. I've been trimming it back and tossing it out.

I know it pulls nitrates out of the water, which is a good thing. I'd love to feed some to my son's turtle, but I can't find any information on safety.

Are there stories out there of turtles poisoned by eating aquatic plants?

I know there are foods like broccoli and spinach that you should not feed, not so much because they are poisonous but because of long term damage due to the chemicals involved.

I just wish there were better resources for info on aquatic plants and turtles.

[The Fluffy Injun]

I got it from a pet store. It was one of the live plants they sell. She said it should be ok but I didn't expect the turtles to start munching on it