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Hello everyone.

I'm new to the forum as we just bought our first RES. We put him in our Koi Pond (9x7). I hope he will be happy in this type of environment. My main question is should I be overly concerned about salmonella. We have 2 young kids and I know they say not to let kids <5 handle turtles. However the turtle will be in the pond and it is enclosed.

This might be a stupid question, but could the kids potentially get sick if they get in contact with the water?

TIA

If they start touching the turtles or the water they should wash their hands afterwards. That should be the rule with all pets, unless they touch the turtles and put their hands in their mouths chances of them getting salmonella are slim. Just make sure they wash their hands after handling.

Great thanks for your feedback. We will not allow them to touch the turtle, however there is always that chance they will come in contact with the water.

RESowner34 wrote:If they start touching the turtles or the water they should wash their hands afterwards. That should be the rule with all pets, unless they touch the turtles and put their hands in their mouths chances of them getting salmonella are slim. Just make sure they wash their hands after handling.

The turtle may eat the koi, even if they are larger than him, he may take chunks out of them causing a slow painful death for your beautiful (and expensive) fish

The turtles may bite the fins off
slowly
So that the fish cant swim
Then devour it

Well you can get salmonella from touching ANY kind of animal,not just turtles. They could have gotten sick by the water even if you didn't get the turtle.

and yea, your turtle might eat your koi.

Do you have a basking spot for him?

The risk is very minimal. Most kids became sick from putting turtles in their mouths. Practicing basic hygiene and keeping a clean, stress free environment goes a long way.

Dogs can also give salmonella, and there you see people giving little kissies to their dogs But I seriously think you have a better chance at catching salmonella from eating chicken.

I agree with what others have said in regards to the salmonella & hand-washing, but in addition: I'm more worried about the poor Koi fish being around a turtle. A turtle is a predator and will nip/bite at anything that swims by, no matter how big it is.

steve wrote:The risk is very minimal. Most kids became sick from putting turtles in their mouths. Practicing basic hygiene and keeping a clean, stress free environment goes a long way.

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I agree,just wash your hands.
Me and my kids are always touching the water,cleaning filters,touching turtles.
I do wonder sometimes when I have a cut on my hand,but in 6 years never any problems.

always wash ur hands

I use hand sanitizer =D

My slider never bothers my koi, but maybe that is because they are so big. (the koi) But as the babies are hatched, I have noticed him eating a few of them. He also nibbles of the tadpoles, and frog eggs. Some babies do make it, but he keeps a good balance in the pond as Koi can lay up to 40,000 eggs.

Are you gonna put a rock in their so the turtle can bask????

This pond is 21 years old and pretty much established through trial and error through the years. Right in back of the first tall plants, there is a very large rock on top of a shelving rack (this is so that the basking area doesn't take away any of the swimming space. I also use a shelving rack with a rock in the 60 gal. You probably can't see it with the plants in the way. Also the pond is enclosed and they can climb up on certain rocks to walk around on land towards the back. Thank you for your concern though. I appreciate it.