Feeding and Nutrition :: Questions about feeding fish to my turtles...

[callmepotato83]

Ok, first off, I will say that I sort of adopted my turtles from my wife's family. They really didn't put a lot into taking care of them, and I have done my best to make them happy. That being said, I was told they have never been fed anything other than Reptomin (along with the occasional carrot). My wife is scared to feed them fish because she doesn't want to clean up fish bits. Just how messy is the tank after they eat them?

[megcornell]

When my turtle eats rosy reds, a few scales come off, but you can't see them in the tank afterwards. I've never had to clean up any left over fish bits, not even when my turtle was a hatchling.
When buying feeders, buy rosy reds instead of goldfish. Goldfish are too fatty.
Also, keep in mind, that although feeder fish make a fun occasional snack, your turtle's diet should include more than carrots and reptomin. You have a good basis for a balanced diet going, but you should add other veggies. Take a look at the "what to feed" sticky at the top of the nutrition section for more foods for turtles.

[Nettle]

I've never fed fish to my turtles, but reptomin isn't the only thing they should be given. Here's a link to the main site for nutrition info:

http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

Good luck!

[TheComputerGremlin]

I can say that between feeder fish and freeze dried crickets, the fish are so much cleaner. I swear my turtle swallows them whole (I have not actually seen him eat one yet), but when I gave him the cricket, when he crunched on it, little bits flew all over. But he's always rummaging around in the rocks anyways, so it keeps him busy. Like everyone else says, they are an treat, not a food staple.

Try some good leafy greens, your turtle will appreciate it!

[callmepotato83]

Try some good leafy greens, your turtle will appreciate it!

Thanks for the tip! All three of the turtles got some Romaine lettuce today. They were HAPPY, believe me! After the largest one had finished his lettuce, he swam up to me and pushed his nose up against the glass right against mine and stayed there for a while. I think that's his way of saying thank you.

[callmepotato83]

I've never fed fish to my turtles, but reptomin isn't the only thing they should be given. Here's a link to the main site for nutrition info:

http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice. I've already broadened their diets and I plan to buy some feeder fish this weekend. Would buying a small tank (like 2 gallon) be a good idea for housing them, and then just drop them in one or two at a time?

[Nettle]

Most people actually let the feeders stay in the tank with the turtles and they eat wastes like poo and leftover food bits. If you want to keep them separate though, you'd have to make sure they have all of the adequate equipment, too. I personally think keeping them with the turtles is easier. Less maintenance.