Feeding and Nutrition :: Aquatic plants

[Tenodera]

Are all aquatic plants ok for turtles, or are some toxic? I have a friend offering to give some aquatic plants for my turtle and she doesn't know the names of the plants...

I was wondering if they could go in the tank and get nibbled (or ignored) without harm to the turtle.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

[BullDog]

There are a few aquatic plants commonly sold in aquarium stores that are poisonous. It usually best if you know the name of the plant, because most turts love to destroy expensive plants

[SpotsMama]

there's a list of good plants on this page:

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

[Tenodera]

Ohh
On that page I saw a plant called Water fern...Does that include Java Fern?
One of the plants she's giving me is a java fern

[SpotsMama]

I have no idea!!!!

[scripta_elegans]

Java ferns are fine. Java moss is too. I hope she gives you some Anacharis! most turtles love it, and it is very good for them too!

[steve]

They're not the same but most aquatic plants are believed to be safe.

[marisa]

I've never seen an aquatic plant sold in aquarium shops that's poisonous. Since fish can nibble on them, I doubt any shop would want the possible liability of selling poisonous plants. Java ferns are fine.

[BullDog]

I've never seen an aquatic plant sold in aquarium shops that's poisonous. Since fish can nibble on them, I doubt any shop would want the possible liability of selling poisonous plants. Java ferns are fine.

That's interesting. I wonder if that's a Canada/US difference or if it's just my town, but I've seen various types of water lillies (under different names) sold here in aquarium stores. Unless they're not toxic to fish? Who knows...

[myrtle1123]

Best be safe and ask a pet store or an expert!!

[SpotsMama]

Not to be negative, but a lot of pet store employees don't have good experience or training and it's not unusual for people to pick up bad info from them. Not the case with all - of course. Some are great resources. You just need to be careful when seeking advice.

[DavidY]

I just found this cool website after googling for "safe aquatic plants". It's called "http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/". They might be able to answer your question. I tried doing a search on "safe plants for turtles" but got a huge list of seemingly unrelated topics, so you may be better off just asking the question in one of their forums directly.