robertmarda
Aquarium Advice Freak
I put our 1 inch long red-eared slider in our 55 gallon tank near the center. He swam directly for the left of the tank and into the convict cichlid's territory. The convict cichlid went to investigate perhaps thinking "What new food swam my way."
The turtle of course had no intention of becoming any fish's meal. He seemed to ignore the convict and do his own thing up until just before the convict decided to make contact. The turtle always seemed to know when the convict was going to attack. Just before the cichlid would make contact he would pull in his head half way and press it against the glass. He then pulled in his back feet and tilted slightly so that the convict would make contact with his shell.
I am trying to see if I can move my turtle from my 10 gallon tank to my 55 gallon tank. I am encouraged by the turtles intelligence but am also aware that the convict cichlid is not dumb. I may let the turtle visit the 55 gallon tank again but never without my supervision and not over night until I am sure that convict won't be able to do him any harm.
I noticed that the convict kept his distance from the turtle while it was swimming as if trying to avoid getting scratched by its claws (are they called that on a turtle?)
When the turtle would swim to the surface and stick its head out of the water a semi circle of displeased fish would form around him. He ignored them and none of them dared get closer than about an inch from him. I expected this from the tiger barb who was obviously trying to figure out how to evict the intruder. The mollies raising their sailfins and blocking his forward movement didn't surprise me much either. However, I didn't expect the red platy (male), red wag sword tail (male), nor the diamond tetra to be upset by the turtles presence. My rosy barb also participated in the semi circle but I couldn't tell if she was concerned or just curious.
The turtle for his part did nothing aggressive no matter how the fish reacted to his presence.
Just thought some of you would like to hear how a small turtle can affect various fish.
The turtle of course had no intention of becoming any fish's meal. He seemed to ignore the convict and do his own thing up until just before the convict decided to make contact. The turtle always seemed to know when the convict was going to attack. Just before the cichlid would make contact he would pull in his head half way and press it against the glass. He then pulled in his back feet and tilted slightly so that the convict would make contact with his shell.
I am trying to see if I can move my turtle from my 10 gallon tank to my 55 gallon tank. I am encouraged by the turtles intelligence but am also aware that the convict cichlid is not dumb. I may let the turtle visit the 55 gallon tank again but never without my supervision and not over night until I am sure that convict won't be able to do him any harm.
I noticed that the convict kept his distance from the turtle while it was swimming as if trying to avoid getting scratched by its claws (are they called that on a turtle?)
When the turtle would swim to the surface and stick its head out of the water a semi circle of displeased fish would form around him. He ignored them and none of them dared get closer than about an inch from him. I expected this from the tiger barb who was obviously trying to figure out how to evict the intruder. The mollies raising their sailfins and blocking his forward movement didn't surprise me much either. However, I didn't expect the red platy (male), red wag sword tail (male), nor the diamond tetra to be upset by the turtles presence. My rosy barb also participated in the semi circle but I couldn't tell if she was concerned or just curious.
The turtle for his part did nothing aggressive no matter how the fish reacted to his presence.
Just thought some of you would like to hear how a small turtle can affect various fish.
