Habitat - Indoor :: Introducing New Tank Mates

[Blue Flamingo]

What is a general reaction (healthy for the new turts) of the old turtle when you are introducing new tank mates? Do they need to establish dominance over them or anything like that? Is there anything that I should be looking out for? Should I take it out at any sign of aggression (fluttering and such)? What has been your guy's experiance with this?

[grey goose]

Putting two babies in with a 1 year old could be risky. If you are going to try it, watch them very closely......
There is a thread about this in the photo section:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8595

[megcornell]

How large is your tank? And are the places the turtles can just get away from each other in the tank. Its good if the turtles aren't always in each other's line of vision.

[Blue Flamingo]

The tank is 55 gallons, there is some floating plants that they can hide in.

[megcornell]

That tank really isn't very big for three turtles- I'd argue that in fact it's too small. And adding turtles to a cramped situation will lead to aggression and probably injury to the tiny ones as there's no way that they can match the strength of the 1 year old.
In short, I'd get a larger tank or considering keeping at least two separate tanks.

[steve]

The main thing about adding new turtles, aside from an initial quarantine, is that you be able to support them in different tanks if they don't get along. A plan to re-home one is also something to consider. I wish there were a simple way to make all of the cohabitants happy.

[Blue Flamingo]

Okay. The babies are in a separate tank for now I just wanted to see if they could co-inhabit. But I was going to wait until they got a little bigger.

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

Can you post a picture of your 3 turtles?

[Blue Flamingo]

Here's a link to some pics that I've posted before.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... light=ivan

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

They're adorable!

[Blue Flamingo]

Thanks!!

[MrRedmanbhs]

I had success when introducing new tank mates. I had a 1 year old and introduced a new hatchling. What I did was completed redecorated the tank and moved the basking area around so it had no resembling of its previous design, thinking that the older turt wouldn't be territorial in a "new" territory. Also, I bought one of those cheap tank seperators and did keep them seperate for a few weeks, and at least once a day put the turts together while I kept an eye on them. After a few weeks I took out the divider and then rearranged the tank again and have not had an problems what so ever in the 7 months they have been together.