Turtle aquarium pets are loved by many pet lovers for their unique appearance, gentle character and relative ease of keeping. The following is a detailed introduction to turtle aquarium pets:
I. Common turtle aquarium pet species
- Brazilian turtle
- Appearance characteristics: Brazilian turtles have a small head, blunt muzzle, head and neck with yellow and green with longitudinal stripes, a pair of red patches behind the eyes. The dorsal armour is flattened, with circular green stripes on each shield, and the posterior margin is not serrated. Ventral armour yellowish, with black circular pattern, like copper coins, each turtle’s pattern is different. The limbs are light green with grey-brown longitudinal stripes, and webbing between the fingers and toes.
- Requirements for feeding:
- Water quality requirements: Brazilian turtles do not require high water quality, but still need to keep the water clean. The suitable water temperature is 20 – 32℃, and the acidity (pH value) is between 6.5 – 8.0. Water quality can be maintained by using a filter and regular water changes.
- Food Requirements: Brazilian turtles are omnivores, mainly feeding on animal food such as small fish, shrimps, earthworms, etc. and plant food such as vegetables and fruits. During the feeding process, attention should be paid to the diversity of food to ensure its nutritional balance.
- Breeding environment: Brazilian turtles need a larger aquarium or pool so that they have enough space to swim and sunbathe. You can place some rocks, sunken wood, etc. in the aquarium to provide a place for them to perch and bask. At the same time, be careful to avoid sharp objects in the aquarium so that the turtles will not be injured.
- Grass Turtle
- Appearance Characteristics: Grass turtles have a small head, blunt muzzle, yellow and green longitudinal stripes on the head and neck, and a pair of black patches behind the eyes. The dorsal armour is relatively flat, with three longitudinal ribs. Ventral armour is brownish-yellow, with large black-brown patches on each shield. The limbs are flattened, with black scales. Webbing between fingers and toes.
- Feeding requirements:
- Water Quality Requirements: Grass turtles have relatively high requirements for water quality, which needs to be kept clean and stable. The suitable water temperature is 20 – 30℃, and the acidity and alkalinity (pH value) is between 7.0 – 8.0. Water quality can be maintained by using a filter and regular water changes.
- Food Requirements: Grass turtles are also omnivores, mainly feeding on animal food such as small fish, shrimps, earthworms, etc. and plant food such as vegetables and fruits. In the process of feeding, pay attention to the freshness and hygiene of the food and avoid feeding spoiled food.
- Breeding environment: Grass turtles need a larger aquarium or pond so that they have enough space to swim and sunbathe. You can place some stones, sunken wood, etc. in the aquarium to provide them with a place to roost and sunbathe. At the same time, care should be taken to keep the breeding environment quiet to avoid the turtles being frightened.
- Yellow-Throated Anaconda Turtle
- Appearance Characteristics: The head of the yellow-throated water turtle is small, with a blunt muzzle, longitudinal stripes of yellow and green at the head and neck, and a pair of yellow patches behind the eyes. The dorsal armour is flattened, with a central ridge. The ventral armour is yellow with black spots on each shield. Limbs flattened, with black scales. Webbing between fingers and toes.
- Feeding requirements:
- Water Quality Requirements: The Yellow-throated Water Mimic Turtle has high requirements for water quality, which needs to be kept clean and stable. The suitable water temperature is 20 – 30℃, and the acidity and alkalinity (pH value) is between 7.0 – 8.0. Water quality can be maintained by using filters and regular water changes.
- Food Requirements: The yellow-throated water turtle is an omnivore and mainly feeds on animal food such as small fish, shrimps, earthworms, etc. and plant food such as vegetables and fruits. In the process of feeding, attention should be paid to the diversity of food and nutritional balance to meet the needs of its growth and development.
- Breeding environment: Yellow-throated Water Turtles need a large aquarium or pond so that they have enough space to swim and sunbathe. You can place some stones, sunken wood, etc. in the aquarium to provide them with a place to roost and sunbathe. At the same time, attention should be paid to keep the breeding environment quiet and hygienic to avoid turtles being frightened and infected with diseases.
II. Key Points for Keeping Turtle Aquarium Pets
- Choose a suitable breeding container
- Aquarium or pool: Choose a suitable aquarium or pool according to the size and number of turtles. Generally speaking, each turtle needs at least 10 litres of water capacity. The size of the aquarium or tank should be large enough for the turtles to swim and move around, while also taking into account the turtle’s growing space.
- Material selection: The material of the aquarium or pool can be glass, acrylic or plastic. Glass aquariums are highly transparent and aesthetically pleasing, but are relatively heavy and easily broken. Acrylic aquarium is lightweight, not easy to break, but the transparency is not as good as glass. Plastic aquariums are cheap, but easy to age and deform.
- Filtration system: Turtle aquarium pets produce a lot of faeces and food residues, which can easily lead to deterioration of water quality. Therefore, a good filtration system needs to be installed to keep the water clean. You can choose a filter that suits the size of your aquarium or pool, such as built-in filter, external filter or bottom filter.
- Control water quality and water temperature
- Water Quality Requirements: Turtles have high requirements for water quality and need to keep the water clean and stable. Water quality can be maintained by using filters and regular water changes. Generally speaking, change the water 1 – 2 times a week, about 1/3 – 1/2 of the water each time. At the same time, be careful to use treated water, such as air-dried tap water or purified water, etc. Avoid using tap water directly as it contains disinfectants such as chlorine, which can harm turtles.
- Water temperature control: Turtles also have strict requirements for water temperature, which needs to be kept within a suitable range. Different species of turtles have different requirements for water temperature, generally speaking, the appropriate water temperature is about 20 – 30℃. Heaters can be used to control the water temperature to ensure that the water temperature is stabilised within the appropriate range.
- Provision of suitable food
- Types of food: Tortoises are omnivores and can consume animal food such as small fish, shrimps, earthworms, etc. and plant food such as vegetables and fruits. In the process of feeding, attention should be paid to the diversity of food and nutritional balance to meet the needs of its growth and development.
- Feeding Methods: The feeding methods of turtles are relatively simple, you can put the food directly into the aquarium or pool, and let the turtle forage on its own. You can also use a feeder and put the food in the feeder to avoid the food being washed away by the water. At the same time, it is important to control the amount of food fed to avoid overfeeding which may cause deterioration of the water quality.
- Feeding Frequency: The feeding frequency of turtles should be determined according to the size and age of the turtle. Generally speaking, juvenile turtles should be fed 1 – 2 times a day, and adult turtles should be fed once a day. During the feeding process, pay attention to observe the turtle’s appetite and digestion, and adjust the feeding amount and feeding frequency in time.
- Provide a suitable breeding environment.
- Sunbathing: Turtles need sunbathing to promote calcium absorption and metabolism. A basking platform can be set up in the aquarium or pool so that turtles can climb up to bask in the sun. The height of the basking platform should be moderate, so as to prevent the turtle from climbing up or falling down and getting hurt. At the same time, be careful to control the time of sunbathing to avoid heatstroke or dehydration caused by prolonged exposure of the turtle.
- Habitat: Tortoises need a quiet, comfortable habitat. You can place some stones, sunken wood, etc. in the aquarium or pool to provide turtles with a place to roost and hide. At the same time, it is important to note that the size and shape of the habitat should be suitable for the size of the turtle to avoid the turtle being trapped or injured.
- Avoid disturbance: Tortoises are timid and easily frightened. In the process of keeping, try to avoid disturbing the turtles and keep the breeding environment quiet and stable. At the same time, care should be taken to avoid sharp objects in the aquarium or pool to avoid injury to the turtle.
Third, the charm and value of turtle aquarium pets
- Ornamental value: Turtle aquarium pets bring visual enjoyment to people with their unique appearance, gentle character and elegant movements. They swim, sunbathe, forage for food, etc. freely in the aquarium or pool, showing a peaceful and beautiful state of life.
- Educational value: Keeping turtle aquarium pets can let people understand the ecological habits, lifestyle and conservation significance of turtles, etc., and enhance people’s knowledge of nature and conservation awareness. At the same time, it can also cultivate people’s sense of responsibility and patience, so that people can learn to take care of small animals.
- Companionship value: Turtle aquarium pets can be people’s good companions, accompanying people to spend a good time. They don’t need a lot of time and energy to take care of like cats, dogs and other pets, they just need regular feeding, water change and sunbathing, etc., so they can grow and live healthily.
All in all, turtle aquarium pets are a very interesting and valuable pet. They are loved by many pet lovers for their unique appearance, gentle character and relative ease of keeping. If you are also interested in turtle aquarium pets, why not choose a turtle species that suits you and start your breeding journey?
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