How to Set Up a Turtle Tank With Fish

Fish and turtles certainly inhabit the same spaces in the wild, so why not let them live together in your biotope or turtle tank? It can be done, but the key to success is to gear the tank toward the turtles. Turtles are more difficult to keep than fish, and should be the "star" of the exhibit. Given enough space, well-fed turtles may be able to coexist with a school of fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass or acrylic tank
  • Water heater
  • Filter
  • Rocks, soil or other surface
  • Full-spectrum reptile lights
  • Heat lamp
  • Thermometer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a glass or acrylic tank on a level surface in an area away from loud noises and out of drafts or direct sunlight. The size of the tank will depend on the species of turtle you intend to keep, as well as how many. Generally, larger is better for turtles, be they sliders, snappers or wood turtles.

    • 2

      Create a swim area. The water must be deep enough to immerse the turtle entirely and allow them to swim. Most turtles will require heated water. A strong filter is essential as it ensures clean and well-oxygenated water in the tank. It is best not to use gravel, sand or any other small substrate in turtle tanks, as turtles are notorious for swallowing anything they can fit in their mouths. Unfortunately, real aquatic plants will be eaten by the turtle, so you must rely entirely on filtration for water quality. A hang-on-back filter or canister filter leading onto a waterfall is the best way to accomplish clean and oxygenated water.

    • 3

      Create a land area. It is important that the turtle has a land area for basking and that it can access the this area easily. You can make the land area out of rock, sand, soil or even fake rock. You will also need to provide appropriate full-spectrum, UVB and UVA reptile lighting, as well as a heat lamp for basking. A good thermometer is essential. If your setup is intended for an aquatic species, your land area can be smaller than if for a semi-aquatic species.

    • 4

      Add fast-moving, hardy fish. Larger is not necessarily better when it comes to fish. Even if the fish is too large for the turtle to eat, the turtle will nip at it and cause injury if the fish isn't fast enough to get away. Choose fish that will thrive in water of the same temperature and pH as your turtles. Some possibilities for fish are comets, mollies, guppies, blue danios and gambusia. Keep in mind that the more fish you add, the higher your bio-load, the more powerful a filter your tank will require.