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My daughter has a red eared slider that is fairly young and we were wondering if it was okay to add fish as we increase the water level. Particularly a rope fish that we have in a tank that is a bit too small. Both fish and turtle are young and small and seem unable to do any damage to the other, but we wanted to know how the turtle might react to fish in the tank. Thanks for any advice!

Fish mostly become meals for turtles.

Don't underestimate your turtle! Even the smallest turtles can eventually take down a fish. Many people have put in plecos with their hatchling turtles, and basically, the turtle will just keep taking chomps out of the pleco until the fish dies and then the turtle will eat the whole thing. Honestly, I only give my turtle the rosie reds because I feel that anything bigger will experience a painful death as the turtle constantly beats it down. Even then rosie reds, when my turtle can't catch them right away, I discover bruising on them.

You also have to make sure that any fish that you put in the tank aren't poisonous or spiny or anything like that. People on here who have fish with their turtles accept that any day, one will become dinner.

Thanks so much for the info, I don't think I will be adding fish to the turtle tank, to much trauma for the kiddos!

It does seem odd that that cute little turtle is capable of eating that big fish, but it can and probably will happen. If you like your pet fish, keeping them away from the turtle is a very good idea.

Just the other day I saw a 2.5 in" turtle (not mine) take on a 6in" koi! He grabed on to his fin and held on while the fish swam around!

I am not suprised at all. My turtle Spike ate a Rosie that was as long as her when she was a baby. I was shocked, but I wouldn't be now.