Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my family and I are working on a koi pond in our backyard. I would eventually like to put a turtle in there (if possible). We aren't using a molded plastic piece, we dug out these two gardens that we aren't using anymore in the backyard. The pond ranges from 8 inches to 23 inches deep, and its about a 6x10 space. The main reason we are building this is to put bigger koi in it (we have a small tub right now with about 5 inch koi, and a frog), we haven't totally decided what size koi, but we are going to some pond places around here and just researching them.

I was reading online that a turtle needs to be able to come up on shore and have dirt under it's feet, is this true? Looking at some other people's enclosures, it doesn't look like it needs this. I know RES's need basking spots (floating pieces, etc) and half of this pond is in direct sunlight, so that part isn't a problem, and there will be plenty of plants in the enclosure.

I know alot about reptiles in general, I've had bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and anoles, but never a turtle.

I'm not even sure if a Red eared slider is the best turtle for this pond, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

If the pond is not enclosed with some kind of fence/wall the turtle will wander off. Also, a RES will eat your plants and fish. I think you should stick to just koi and frogs. If you want a turtle maybe build another pond or get a large aquarium.
Chris
-----
0.1 Red Eared Slider, 1.0 Common Snapper, 1.0 Bearded Dragon and a 55gal Native Fish Tank with a LM Bass and Pleco.
I use to have a collection of Leopard Geckos that I bred, but have sold them.

Where are you located? I'm assuming that 23" is below the frost line in your area? If the area around the pond is fenced in (escape-proof) or if the pond itself is escape-proof, you could get a slider. For an escape-proof pond, I'd recommend a male slider. I don't recommend mixing genders because we already have enough sliders in the pet trade!

Sliders will eat aquatic plants, and will take pot-shots at fish and eat a few, but after some time the fish and turtles ignore each other. So, it boils down to what you want more - a turtle or the fish and fancy lillies.

There are lots of sliders for adoption, often for free.

Katrina

hi, all.

i have a red-eared slider (young adult) in my smallish pond, along w/ eight goldfish. if i give turtle any commercial food, the fish will come along and snatch it out of turtle's mouth! maybe fish versus turtle is a matter of disposition and size: these are good-sized fishies (around four inches long), and they were there first.

or perhaps it's feeding: turtle eats the snails and nibbles on the water hyacinth. he's also dining royally on dandelion greens. i've watched to see if the fishes' fins are looking pecked-at, and all are fine.

I also have a large pond that has 18 med to large aquatics turtles in it and also lots or koi and minnows. The turtles have always completely ignored the koi and only the minnows (which where orginally put in there for the purpose of being turtle food have a thriving population -- I have (to date) only seen one of my map turtles snacking on a minnow one time last year). So it may be alright if you have enough space and are sure to have something around your pond to keep the turtles from wandering off. Also if possible I would dig the pond deeper. 23 inches is not suitable really especially when you koi start to get large. If you get freezing Winters you may end up losing your fish and turtles.