Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My boyfriend has a red-ear slider. I'm trying to figure out what he needs for it. What is the minimum enclosure. I have no idea how old it is but it's probably about 4-6". I read the maximum. But neither of us have much right now. He said someone gave it to him. He has a 10 gallon set up. So I'm just wondering what is the minimum we can get buy on. Ty.

Jessy

Hey for more info on care, ect. try AustinsTurtlepage.com I would reccomend at least a 55gal tank. A 10gal tank for a 6in turtle is WAY WAY to small.
-Chris
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Currently in the US Navy so I have sold off my collection. But over the years I have had dozens of turtles, fish, geckos, and other lizards. Cant wait to get back in the hobby once im out though!

>>My boyfriend has a red-ear slider. I'm trying to figure out what he needs for it. What is the minimum enclosure. I have no idea how old it is but it's probably about 4-6". I read the maximum. But neither of us have much right now. He said someone gave it to him. He has a 10 gallon set up. So I'm just wondering what is the minimum we can get buy on. Ty.
>>
>>Jessy

WAY WAY too small. a 6" turtle needs a big tank, try 75 gallons if it's a male. females get up to 12" or so, and need a 120 gal minimum. Red Ears are the worst pet turtles ever but also one of the most awesome turtles ever. I love them. But they're best in a pond or a really huge tank.
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Buslady of SoCal
Breeder of Ornate Wood Turtles
Rhinoclemmys Pulcherrima Manni
Donatello, Jessie; kids Steve, Bender, Leo, Herbie and Squirt. Teens Raph and Suzie.

Thanks,

I talked to my bf and he said he got it from someone else. He's not certain how old it is.

The turtle had some small pebbles and a few stones in there before. The pebbles , I believe, are not small enough for him to consume. They are still in there, something I would like to render. However I brought a fake resin (plastic?) log I had from when I had a couple of toads.

We now feed him every other day. As opposed to 2 times daily. After finding out how much he should be eating all I must say is "E-yikes!"

I'm doing the best with the 10 gallon I can at the moment. We have it only about a 1/4 of the way full. Should it be completly full?

I also have him treating the water like you would a betta fish. Two or three times a week I have him take out some water and replace it with fresh water. We have a cup where the amount of water taken out is just right. Exact measurment everytime.

We also change the water for the entire tank once a week. It's the best we can do for now.

Here's a question brought up by curiosity. My bf would never allow it. However he lives in a condo complex. This complex has streams/pounds threw out the whole thing. It's very pretty/nice/spacious. Looks like someone dropped some houses in the middle of a forest.

The streams and pounds here already have aquatic life. They have alot of little fish. I'm not sure what kind, but there are some that are so small they are almost see threw and look a bit like tad poles. There are crawfish, some medium size fish that are a bit hard to describe, alot of goldfish, not the typical kind you see at the store. And quit a few varities of coy. The largest being about 2'-4'. I'm eyeballing here. There is alos a turtle in one pound.

Obviously there is alot of veggitation here. No one feeds any of these creatures yet they are thriving.

So question being. Do you think it would be okay to put the turtle in there? I live in Orange County California by the way. We are a "costal" community about half way between LA and San Diego.

Yahoo! Neighborhoods (zip 92840) gives this for yearly average:

January Avg Temp: 45°F
July Avg Temp: 83°F
Sunny Days: 275
Precipitation Days: 31
Rainfall (inches): 13
Snowfall (inches): 0

Thanks again for everything !

Jessy

p.s. as soon as I can fix the turtles habitat I will. I do appreciate your assistance alot.

It can have parasites or diseases that could kill all the native animals in the area... Just look around online and read up on them, they're worth keeping or you can TRY to find a reptile rescue that would take the turtle from you. Also, if money is a concern in regards to caging for it, you could just by a large rubbermaid container to keep it in instead of a huge expensive aquarium. But yeah, I suggest you just read up on them and learn what you can and try to keep it...
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0.1.0 Colombian Red-tailed Boa (100% Het. for albino)
0.0.2 Western Hognose Snakes
0.2.1 Plains Garter Snakes
1.0.0 Red-sided Garter Snake
1.2.0 Barred Tiger Salamanders
0.0.1 Red-eared Slider
0.0.1 Common Snapping Turtle