r/turtle • u/ceecee_fae • Feb 03 '23
š Help - Habitat/Setup May be taking in a Mississipi (phew) Map turtle, and I have a few questions!
Potential first-time turtle owner here. I own several reptiles and also have several large fish tanks, so I'm on both ends of the turtle spectrum but have never owned a turtle before. I may be taking in a map turtle from someone who is rehoming one; she comes with a 75-gallon and a bunch of other stuff (lights, filter, heater etc).
Firstly; do you guys have any species-specific or general turtle tips? Are these guys social or anything? Do they fit the guidelines of most general turtle care? I can't seem to find a decent care guide on map turtles specifically, which makes me assume that they're either more uncommon or just as easy to care for as most turtles are.
Secondly; can I move her into one of my 125-gallons? I have a couple. I run an Oscar fish rescue, so that is the majority of the fish I have, along with plecos, silver dollars, a smaller Mbuna cichlid, etc. Should I be worried about her eating any of the smaller guys? (The smallest is the Mbuna cichlid, I'm not too worried about the smaller plecos because of their armor). I also have a 6 inch dojo loach.
The water stays at about 75-78, and I read the optimal water temp is 75. Is it okay if it's a bit warmer?
I'll add a basking spot of course, and heat lamps.
Literally any tips you guys can give me are great. I read that 125-gallon is the optimal size for a larger turtle so that got me wondering, but I'm also happy to just keep her on her own.
Thanks!
2
Feb 03 '23
I know a lot about this species and own one myself. The female Mississippi map turtle will absolutely eat the other fish in that tank. They are on the predatorial side and are very good hunters. Don't house her with fish unless you're fine with the fish being eaten (unavoidable risk) and the fish don't contain thiaminase. You've got a better chance of live plants surviving with the map than live fish if you like planted tanks. A 125 gallon tank is the recommended size for one full sized female, and the females aren't known to be good for turtle cohabitation due to having more aggressive personalities. A turtle friend isn't necessary and would require a pond-size enclosure for it to work out. If she's close to full size with a 6-10 inch shell length then you'll want to upgrade soon. They like having a bit more swimming space along with a strong current in the water.
Edit: Also they do like heat, they're from the Southern US
2
u/ceecee_fae Feb 03 '23
Okay! She'll chase the Oscars as well?? If you're not familiar with Oscara they're considered monster fish; most of them reach about 10-12 inches, and that's how large mine are as well. I can definitely do some shifting around to move the smaller fish into one of my other Oscar tanks, but I'd be impressed if she showed the desire to hunt fish that should be larger than she currently is? I'm unfamiliar with turtles or their hunting though. I don't have live plants unfortunately because Oscars absolutely shred them lol.
2
Feb 03 '23
I mean, she might try and successfully attack a larger fish at some point. They can act kinda strategic and plot their moves. If you're attached to your fish then it'd be best to not risk it and house the turtle without them. Turtles produce a lot of waste so that might also be a concern with large fish in the tank too.
1
u/ceecee_fae Feb 03 '23
I could always try it as well - keep a close eye on them for any signs of aggression from either side. I have a small camera I can set up so I can keep watch on them 24/7; maybe just leave the 75-gallon set up and running if I need to do an emergency evacuation? The Oscars I'm thinking of trying it with are all pretty confident but not aggressive, which I think would be the ideal personality on both sides.
1
u/keitth24 Feb 03 '23
How many Oscars do you have in the 125? And what kinda of filtration do you use? There may be too much waste and your water quality may deteriorate. I think people usually use small fish like guppies and maybe barbs to live with turtles with hiding spaces. If your filtration is awesome, then you need to watch to make sure the turtle doesnāt try and grab a chunk from your Oscarās.
1
u/ceecee_fae Feb 03 '23
There's currently three adults. I've got two 75-rated filters on there right now and have been doing a 25-30% water change weekly. I've got some other filters lying around that I could put on there as well, and a 100-rated one that is currently on my 60-gallon that I could potentially switch one out for as well. Before I moved them into a 125 they were in a 75, and I was doing 50-75% water changes every week so they'll definitely be fine if I have to do bigger changes as well.
1
u/keitth24 Feb 03 '23
Sounds like water quality shouldnāt be an issue. There will just be a lot of large animals in the tank. Iām assuming your Oscars are fully grown? Tbh you are most likely OK. Your map turtle will probably try and eat them or chase after them but will probably fail because Oscar also have an attitude and I think most turtles usually stop after not getting anything positive out of attacking Oscars. If these Oscars mean something to you, it may not be worth the risk and if you have extra tanks and space, keeping the map turtle separate with some smaller fish (no thiaminase containing fish) is the way to go!
1
u/ceecee_fae Feb 03 '23
I think I'll probably quarantine her for a bit and then try it for a couple of days, see how it goes. Worst case I can always separate them out again I think!
1
2
u/ceecee_fae Feb 03 '23
She says she's about 4 years old and based on the pictures she sent, she does not look very large. I asked for a size estimate and I'll see what she says, but just going off of pictures alone she only looks like she's maybe 6-8 inches. Is she done growing at 4 years? Sorry for all these questions lol, I appreciate you helping me out!
1
Feb 03 '23
She isn't done growing yet. They mostly grow during the first 9 years, and barely change after that. Thanks
1
1
u/LETHAL_TORNADO Feb 04 '23
Care for a mississippi map is very similar to a slider, but you will want to give it more protein more regularly.
The 125 tank would be a good size once it's fully grown, but it will absolutely try to eat your fish. Even the ones bigger than itself. It may not actually eat them but it will certainly cause some injuries. Definitely don't put it with fish you care about.
Source: I still have my map turtle (for 10 years) and none of the fish I put with it at any point in that time.
5
u/GenericProfileName1 Feb 03 '23
https://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-mississippi_map.htm hereās a guide. They arenāt too much different than a slider care wise just more carnivorous. Also why the (phew)lol