Habitat - Indoor :: Can I Introduce a New Hatchling?

[Crazy Girl Turtle]

I have a 1.5 inch hatchling that I've had for about four weeks. She is about seven weeks old. I think she needs a friend though. If I get another hatchling, would this plan work?

1. The new one would be about 3-4 weeks old, so I would put her in a 10 gallon tank for about 4 weeks to make sure she is not sick, and let her learn how to eat so the bigger one doesn't take all her food.

2. Put the bigger one in the big tank (70 gallon) next to the 10 gallon, so they can see each other thru the glass.

3. Introduce the new one in four weeks to the big tank with the other turtle.

Does that seem work-able? Will they likely get along?

Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

Honestly, most of the time on here when there's more than one turtle in a tank the turtles wind up fighting. It doesn't happen until they're larger. When one turtle bites another it can do a lot of damage. If you're going to try to keep two turtles, you need to be prepared to maintain two habitats down the road in case they don't get along. That means two big tanks (90 gallons or larger), two filter, lighting setups, etc. There are people on here that do it because they really love turtles but it does require a big commitment.

If your concern is that the one turtle is lonely, you can put your mind at rest. Single turtles get along fine - they aren't like herd animals or mammels that need to be with their own kind.

Where is does seem feasible to keep several turtles together is when they have a substantial outdoor pond. With a largish pond, the turtles will have enough room that they don't feel crowded.

On quarantine, the recommendation is for 90 days, which would be about 3 months.

Here's some info on keeping more than one turtle:

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

[SpotsMama]

Hi again,

Here's thread that was just posted on a similar subject. I thought you might find it interesting. Often the little ones get along, but often when they grow up they start to fight.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9933

[scripta_elegans]

I know it seems like they would like a tank mate, but it's really not a good idea. I have 2 turtles, and I am just waiting for the day when I need to seperate them. I would never have adopted multiple turtles if I had known how badly they could hurt each other when they were bigger. i have resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to clean 2 tanks someday, and buy all the turtle things that they use for the second one. Don't do it to yourself. Turtles are far more likely to fight than to coexist peacefully in an aquarium.

[Crazy Girl Turtle]

Wow- thanks for the info! I was planning to get a second turtle b/c I was feeling like my little Tanga was lonely, but now I feel much better. So I really appreciate the insight and links!

I guess I will just go with getting a waterfalls for her in the bigger tank!

Thanks!

[scripta_elegans]

Ooh! What kind of water falls?

[Crazy Girl Turtle]

Something like this:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441814993&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030046&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1182836046875&itemNo=0&Ntt=water+falls&In=All&previousText=water+falls&N=2

Although they have more options at the actual stores than I am seeing online right now.

[MamaLou]

Well on the other hand, I adopted 3 small RES about a year old each, and they lived together in the same tanks for 2 years before moving out to a large pond with Lou who is 9 years old. Everyone got along fine together in the tanks and now in the pond. I have never seen any of them fighting, biting each other or anything mean to each other yet. I think it all depends on the turtles. Males may be the aggressive ones that instigate the fighting, then you may have to separate them. I think one of my small ones is a male, too soon to tell still, he/she tries to bite the feeding hand but not the other turtles.

[scripta_elegans]

It is odd how some are fine, but then you have a turtle paradise pond, with lots and lots of room. I think that the more space they have, the more likel thyey are to get along.

[missibsu]

I agree that the open space would be more important. However, my turtles loved playing under their waterfall filter when they were smaller. Now they play under the spray bar. I don't know how much is play, or whether it's relaxing for them...but that's where they hang out. You can always get a cheap waterfall style filter for them to play around, and it goes outside the tank and doesn't take up space.

[notoch351]

Getting two is problems, I have 2 and love them both to heart but I’m coming to the point were they need a upgrade 240 gal. And I’m still thinking what if they start to fight then that’s 2 tanks setups heaters filters etc ... I’m still trying to figure out my plan I would like them to stay together.

[N4784N R4613]

Getting two is problems, I have 2 and love them both to heart but I’m coming to the point were they need a upgrade 240 gal. And I’m still thinking what if they start to fight then that’s 2 tanks setups heaters filters etc ... I’m still trying to figure out my plan I would like them to stay together.

These two have had a good idea...
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... 5065#95065