Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 9 month old snapper about maybe 2" in diameter, and I have a 3-5 year old (not sure on age, but I think in that range) painted turtle about 6" in diatmeter. They are both from northern Minnesota.

I was wondering if it would be safe to cage them together. I have a new 40 gallon tank that I bought for my painted. Right now my painted is caged there, and my little snapper is caged in a 10 gallon. The problem is light... I only have one heat lamp. So I wanted to cage them together.

My concerns are:

Would the painted maybe accidentally scratch my snapper when swimming by?

Would my snapper be able to actually get any of the food?

Would my snapper try to hurt my painted, or vice-versa?

Thanks for the help... I know I have posted a decent amount lately, sorry for all the questions.

I wouldn't put a snapper in with any other turtle no matter how small it is. It will "snap" at anything that passes by. Your turtle will soon be missing some toes or feet.

I agree with the other posters-your painted may end up loosing a toe or foot...also snappers are dirty and will muck up the water-they have that smell to them...

I wouldn't do it to long the painted will more then likely eat most of the food before the snaper even has a chance to catch the fish. The snapper is more predatory so will not eat pellets but will neeed fish & worms.