Feeding and Nutrition :: Fish & your turtle

[koreyleigh]

For those of you who keep fish for feeding in your tank, how old/big was your turtle before they had the guts to go after them? I'm interested in feeding on to Hank... even though I'm sure deep down I'm going to be a little saddened about it lolollll.

And for those of you who do give this feeding option to your turtle, did you have to do anything special for the fish?

[jenaero]

When mine were babies, they always had guppies in the tank. When they got a bit bigger I started offering minnows. They never hesitated to go after them.

I do nothing for the fish. They eat whatever they find, and they must be eating well to be breeding the way they do.

[Daniel3507]

jenaero hit the nail on the head as usual with her answer. cujo has gone after fish for as long as i can remember. i used to feed the fish every now and then but now i just let them eat whatever they find in the tank.

[koreyleigh]

hahaha ok! Hank is literally only about two months old / 1.5" or so and I was tossing around getting him a few fish to "play" (AKA hunt) with.

thanks guys!

[koreyleigh]

Just got home from PetSmart a little while ago with 9 comet / small goldfish for the tank. I'm referring to them as Hank's nine girlfriends. So far so good -- he's been intrigued by them but has petty much left them alone. They're still pretty big in comparison so I'm sure they've got some more time before they become lunch or dinner!!

PS... at 12cents a piece, what a cost effective meal! lol

[Daniel3507]

are they minnows? goldfish aren't that good for turtles since they are fatty. rosie red minnows and guppies are really the only fish that should be fed. and even then only about once a month.

[wilso720]

Henry was between 4 and 6 months old when he had his first rosie red, he hated the pellets I had first gotten him and I was afraid he would get sick from not eating. He loved them. If you do to a place like petsmart you can ask them to find you small ones. They will be easier to eat.