Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I am building a 10 X 10 X 3 ft deep fish pond. I want to have pond comets and sarasa comets. But I would also like to have a few turtles and maybe a few frogs live in the pond. Can I keep red-ear slider turtles and frogs with comet golfish? Will they eat the fish? Has anyone ever had a problem with turtles or frogs eating their fish? Please let me know...

Thanks,
Lindsay

There is a possibility that they will eat the fish or damage their fins. I keep turtles and Koi together with no incidents of attack but that is NOT the rule. It's basically a crapshoot. And you have to make sure that you have a secure perimeter around your pond so the turtles won't wander away.

It depends on the size of the turtle compaired to the size of the fish. My parents have a pond with koi and goldfish in it. The larger fish, ~4-12" long are left alone by the 10" painted turtle. However, the dozens of baby fish and any tadpoles they put into the pond mysteriosly seem to vanish.

Rule of thumb, if the fish can fit into the turtle's mouth, they're going to end up in the turtle's belly.

With that deep of water you should have no problem. I've had five res's in with about ten comet goldfish and none was eaten. The frogs, however, will get chomped on occasionally but can live with the res's if they have hiding places and land on the sides. Besides, they're extremely powerful and fast and res's don't actually like their smell.

I came here looking for similar information.

I made an offer on a house yesterday, and am trying not to get too excited before I get a response, but.... The house comes with a large (about 18' dia. x 4' deep) koi pond, inhabitted by around 20 adultish koi (10" - 18" I have never been a fish guy, long term python keeper/breeder, and would love to add some turtles to the pond system if I get the house. Kansas City, KS area, BTW.

What breeds of turtles would do best? Would I have to bring them in for the winter? Would I need to add a platform to the pond for dry/basking times? Would baby turtles end up in koi bellies? Would koi feed harm turtles and/or vice versa?

I know those are a lot of ?'s, so thank you in advance for any assistance! - Brian

Her is bad pic of the pond at the house I am hoping for. Taken from inside the house, and only showing about 1/2 of the pond, from the realator site. I will take a better pic if I get the house.

In general, any fish are fine with the red ear slider turtle. In that size of a pond, the fish should have plenty of room to escape. As for baby turtles getting eaten, it's highly unlikely. Big fish may eat hatchlings, but I've never heard of it.

But, and I say "but," you will have to make sure you get a mesh fence put around the pond if you're going to have turtles. They're great climbers, and from the looks of that picture, they'll climb right out. In other words, it'll have to be turtle proof.

Submberse a few logs along the banks for basking spots. Maybe secure one in the middles. A basking spot is a must.

It's a becautiful pond and the red ear slider would make an excellent attraction. As for hibernating them, all you'll need it to make sure the pond doesn't freeze solid, maybe keep an aerator in there.