Last Updated on June 10, 2024 by admins
Can turtles live with goldfish? Keep reading and find out if carelessness can cause disaster.
Setting up a proper habitat for a pet turtle requires careful planning, time, and above all, money. A lot goes into a turtle’s setup, including an aquarium, heating, lighting, and filtration. If you manage to ensure all this, you are well on your way to taking care of a healthy and happy turtle!
A large percentage of turtle owners prefer to have a tank mate in the same enclosure as the pet turtle. While at first the aquatic turtle and fish may look like a good combo, this doesn’t always work. Some turtles just can’t coexist with fish since they will actively hunt and feed on the fish. However, do not be afraid because there are indeed species of fishes and species of turtles that can live peacefully in the same enclosure. So, can turtles live with goldfish? Stay with us and find out.
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Is It True That Turtles Feed On Goldfish?
Before we give you the answer to the question “can turtles live with goldfish”, let us clarify a kind of enigma. Namely, many claims that aquarium turtles simply enjoy eating goldfish and that’s right, turtles really do that.
However, it’s not that they really enjoy it because goldfish have spiny bones that can damage your pet’s turtle’s throat and intestines. In addition, goldfish have a high-fat content, which is not necessarily good for turtles. Namely, if your pet turtles are consistently given fatty foods, chances are high that they will develop Vitamin E deficiency, which can lead to a number of health issues such as eye infection, weaker shell and bones, and a slow healing mechanism.
Accordingly, we can conclude with almost 100% certainty that goldfish aren’t the most ideal fish feeder for your turtle. Now that we’ve solved this enigma, we’re one step closer to answering the question “can turtles live with goldfish”. Let’s move on.
The Compatibility Of The Species
Aquarium turtles, or most of them, will chase fish and eat as many as they can catch. Therefore, try to avoid putting small, slow-swimming fish in with a turtle that sees fish as prey. Trust us, it’s a matter of minutes before disaster strikes.
It would be best to choose fish that aren’t too small and that is known to be fast-swimming. In addition, try to provide them with enough hiding places, such as PVC pipes, aquarium decor, and dense plants.
Goldfish are, on the other hand, large but slow swimmers, so it’s time to finally answer the question “can turtles live with goldfish?” Keep reading and find out the answer.
Question Of The Day: Can Turtles Live With Goldfish?
It is quite natural to feel the urge to add some cute fishes with aquatic turtles to your turtle aquarium. Experienced owners are well aware that this can be a challenge as it is hard enough to get just two turtles to behave in the same aquarium. The coexistence of two different species of aquarium pets is a place where things can become millions of times more complex and difficult.
So, can turtles live with goldfish? The answer is yes, but there are a ton of strings attached. This is a kind of experiment that has been tried by different aquarium keepers, and they have had varying degrees of success.
Truth be told, we would not recommend you to try to establish an aquarium community that includes goldfish and aquatic turtles for several reasons. The most important among them are potential snacking, territorial aggression, and perhaps the largest of all, abnormal amounts of waste produced.
When experienced aquarium keepers hear the question “can turtles live with goldfish” most of them will agree that these two species aren’t naturally well suited to live together. In most cases, aquarium turtles will try to scratch with claws or in an even worse case, eat their tank mate after a tiring chasing session.
Lastly, keep in mind that it all depends on the size of the tank and the turtle’s breed.
Turtle & Goldfish: Who, When, And Where?
While there is no established pattern of turtle behavior to live together with goldfish, experts believe that Red-eared sliders, Northern Red-Bellied Turtles, and Peninsula Cooters are the most compatible. Aquarists suggest that it is best to avoid Snapping Turtles, Soft Shelled Turtles, and Musk Turtles because these types of pets have a pronounced urge to nibble.
When asked “can turtles live with goldfish”, most people think the problem is in turtles, however, you would be surprised to know that tables can turn quickly. Did you know that some goldfish species like Shubunkins, Comets, Orandas, and Wakins can grow between 10-15 inches? Trust us, even goldfish can be real aggressors, especially when it comes to larger specimens.
To Conclude: Can Turtles Live With Goldfish?
Aquarium turtles and fish are fun pets to keep, however, truth be told, one of the common questions that keep coming up is “can turtles live with goldfish?” Keep in mind that there is currently no goldfish or turtle breed that will effortlessly cohabitate and live happily for the rest of their lives. At the end of the day, it’s just pets, prey, and predators that don’t need to be friends.
We hope you find this article useful. If you have any questions please let us know in the section below.
Read more: Can Goldfish Eat Broccoli? 2 Best Ways To Cook This Delicious Vegetable
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