Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 130gal indood pond with tropical fish and plants [amazon swords, java fern]. My grandsons been bugging me for a turtle. Would a mud turtle be ok for this setup? I have mostly small fish [zebras, guppies, catfish, loaches]. Could the mud catch the fish, theres lots of rocks and stuff in the way? Would he eat the plants? Also would like the smallest species so he wouldn't distrupt too much stuff. I have some unwanted snails i figure he could eat these also. Thanks.

I would advise against any turtle unless you are willing to loose fish.The current inhabitants are to small to house w/ turtles & not be eaten if the opportunity arrived.The size of the tank will give the fish a chance to outmanuever the predator & snails are easier prey so you might not have to many loses. Just have a 10 gallon ready to put the turtle in.If you do get a mud or musk stinkpots(musk) are most common & cheap. Mississippi & Three stripe muds also aren't that much. You will need to make sure there are enough area the turtle can get to the surface as they aren't open water swimmers & need to rest rather than continue swimming like sliders do. If the fish are to have a chance let the center be open where they can see the turtle coming.

Thanks Croc, i didnt want to order one as the shipping is too expensive, hopefully there will be a reptile show around. I also have a 180 gallon outdoor pond [no fish right now]that he can go into, but it has water lillies, hope he won't eat those. Will they hibernate in the water outside in NY? Wouldnt mine if he ate guppies their breeding like mad.