Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My common snapper ‘pup’ was found by me one day I was fishing at the’James River’,Huron South Dakota. He (the identifier is a long tail) is very comfortable in his new home that I have provided him.He has a healthy appitite,being fed mealworms,earthworms (cut up for easier swallowing) small crickets,’Rosey red’feeder fish and the off the shelf turtle food (pellets and shrimps)
The problem I had was making his home. I bought a basic 10 gallon aquarium set,and had to elevate the floor level so it would be shallow enough for him and yet,have the water level high enough for the filter/pump to work properly(hang over the side type)
I bought two small plastic ‘bins’ from the housewares isle and placed them in the bottom of the tank. Putting a reptile style ‘tank top’ resting on the bins I was able to set up the gravel,rock and plastic plant on top allowing for the filter pick-up,heater and aeriator to stay below. This gives more volume of water for better filtration. With the ‘basking rock’ and gravel ,I separated the area so I have a smaller’pond’ for the feeder fish and the larger area for his ‘Lurking’ pleasure under a full-spectum lamp.
This has turned out to be a simple soulution for me to assure ‘snappy’ has a clean home with lots of fresh water kept at a steady 76 degrees. There is even one fish left happily alone in its area for two weeks now! But I believe its not going to last there forever.

Pics

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR POST. MY 9 YR OLD SON FOUND A BABY FEMALE SNAPPING TURTLE IN THE ST CROIX RIVER, AND WE WERE HAVING A HARD TIME SETTING UP THE 10 GALLON TANK THAT I GOT FOR HER, UNTIL I SAW YOUR POST. I SET THE TANK UP AS CLOSE TO YOURS AS I COULD. SHE REALLY SEEMS TO ENJOY IT. I DID HOWEVER FIND OUT THAT SHE HAS A FUNGAS. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO TREAT THIS QUICKLY. I HAVE BEEN GIVING HER SALT BATHS, AND ALSO PUT A FUNGAS TABLET IN THE TANK. I HOPE IT WORKS.

THANKS AGAIN.

Hey Camccurdy,glad the set-up will work for you,my snappy is doing well with it,and best of all it was reasonably cheap.
as for the fungus...I don't know but I used a small brush(from an electric shaver,its bristles were not too stiff)and brushed the stuff off the shell. I did find a tiny leach hangin on his head and just plucked that off,It looked like a hair so I figured it ought-not be there! I use about half river water from where he came and water filtered through a 'Britta' filter, then add the water conditioner for tap water just to be safe (ie: tetra brand,'AquaSafe')and have been changing the water/and filter at 2 weeks. I also have been using the little white [turtle looking] tank additive for salmonilla prevention.
the only problem I've had is when the feeder fish decide to get underneath the 'platform'(they will find or make a hole in the gravel next to the glass)so I try to keep it (the platform edge)sealed as best I can.
My snappy is doing well,his shell is starting to go to brown now and seems to be very happy with the food I provide. I try to vary his diet with,feeder fish, fresh cut meat from worms,frogs,mealworms,tiny crickets, and he likes Pheasant meat!
I just keep giving him 'natural stuff'along with the occasional over the counter turtle 'reptomin' so he gets his 'greens' and calcium from the shrimp's.
I'm a 48 year old Biker and have just as much fun as you 9 year old, I'm sure! post up some pics of the little gal (the turtle I mean!)and I'll use em as pin-ups for my 'boy'! LOL !! the can be pen pals!...good luck with the fungus,....lpwacko