Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have had my baby res in a 10 gal for a while with some guppies and 2 flounders (and sand in the bottom). the flounders are brackish so i have been adding 1 tsp of freshwater salt per gallon to the tank. will this affect the turtle? he always seems to be healthy. what if i switched to marine salt? (i was told freshwater salt didnt make a big difference in brackish water.) the specific gravity would probably be around 1.015. or should i stick to fw salt? i would prefer not to move the flounders-they eat the food the turtle leaves behind. arent res found in brackish water sometimes?
thanks in advance!
jac
whats wrong with petco

To be honest i'm not positive what the long term effects higher salt content would have your turle, but without access to fresh water to injest, I would think dehydration would be an issue. I worked as a naturalist for an Eco Tour boat here in Florida on the Indian River Lagoon estuary system which is a brackish body of water with salinity ranging from lows of 18ppt during rainy season, and up to 38ppt above the Atlantic Oceans salinity content during high droughts, such as when we had the wild fires here all over the state in 98'. I have seen a variety of fresh water turtles in the lagoon right in the same waters as the Green seas. Of course I don't believe the RES or other 'fresh water' orientated turtles stay exclusively in those waters, as various fresh bodies of water are within very close proximity i'm sure they use. Hope that adds some insight, Mike B.
Mother Gecko - Reptiles

Just a quick correction so no misunderstandings.....

'''
which is a brackish body of water with salinity ranging from lows of 18ppt during rainy season, and up to 38ppt above the Atlantic Oceans salinity content during high droughts '''

I meant that during high droughts the Lagoon could reach 38ppt which is above the Atlantics average of 35ppt...

Mike B.

so would you suggest i have a dish of freshwater for him on his dock or maybe switch him out to a freshwater tank from time to time?
thanks!
jac
whats wrong with petco

I no expert on turtles but I have a couple points to make. One teaspoon (tsb) per gallon is very little salt for a brackish tank. Brackish aquariums usually have at least 2 tablespoons(tbsp) per gallon. Yes, you should be using marine aquarium for your fish and I'm sure switching to marine salt will make no difference to your RES. I think the question will be moot soon anyways because your turtle will soon outgrow your 10 gallon tank.