Mixed Species environment- Terrapin temperment?
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Greetings- I joined a little while ago to read here more about experiences with Terrapins, along with reading other material as well. But figured I’d ask on this, since there seems to be differing opinions. We’re putting together some mixed species habitats for display. One habitat is for a Brackish Water type environment. Right now there are Mudskippers (6-12″ each) and a Salt Marsh Snake. The snake’s too small to eat the Mudskippers. There are some crabs and snails as well. (The mudskippers eat the small ones, which keeps the snail population down. We keep snails in a seperate stock tank to replenish when needed too. The skippers like them, and it looks like Terrapins would too.) It’s a large enclosure with lots of water. We’ve looking at adding Anableps, a different kind of large fish (12″ range) I’m positive the Mudskippers are too big and actually even a little fiesty to be eaten by a terrapin. On the other hand I’m wondering if a terrapin would become nippy toward these bigger fish. If we do get a terrapin, we’re planning on a feeding schedule of removing the turtle from the pond each day to feed. There’s also a smaller freshwater pool in the enclosure. Approx. 3″ deep with guppies and minnows that are easier for the snake to catch. The turtle could easily find the little pool too as well and drink from it. There’s some grass and beach area too. Anyway, that’s the main question though, is about your experiences concerning the Terrapin temperment and if you think one or two would play nice with their potential pond mates. Total actual water capacity is close to 800 gallons, + a smaller 40- 50 gallon freshwater pool. The size should be well big enough I would believe. The mudskippers also all have their own little territory rocks to perch on. We’re finishing work on it over the winter and have thought about the Diamondback and a couple other things to make it a a neater visual environment. Also thought getting a smaller Terrapin to start out with, the turtle would learn a pecking order and not attack the skippers when it got bigger. Thank you for any input. It’s much appreciated. Andrew
Sounds awesome! I have 3 little guys around 8-9 months old together. I’M NO EXPERT by far but I don’t see them being an issue together (the aquariums I visited have them together) I would think they would attempt to eat everything in the tank…at least I would think. My terps eat snails,crabs, (they are known to eat coral substrate if deficient in calcium i believe), talapia, beefheart(RARE TREAT) reptomin floating sticks, shrimp, crickets, worms, etc…I give them a god variety and always feed out of the tank. TOO MESSY! Good Luck . — In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, “secretserval”
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Hi Andrew, Where are you displaying these habitats at? It definitely sounds like a lot of fun and I hope you post some pics when you get a chance. Terrapins will devour just about anything but it sounds like you should not not have any problems getting juvenile terrapins to coexist in that environment. They’ll eat the crabs and snails for sure and may even start nipping at the fish when they get bigger. The size of the environment definitely helps but you will nevertheless need to be monitor them closely when the terrapins get bigger. By the way, what kind of snail species are you keeping? -Stephen C — In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, “secretserval”
Andrew, I think your idea sounds great and I too always wanted a beautiful setup with many species all coexisting in harmony. I attempted to diversify my existing 75 gallon terrapin aquarium with two small about 4″ northern diamondbacks (obviously a lot smaller scale setup then what you are talking about) but I figured I would add a couple of bristlenose plecos to help clean the tank since I read that they were faster then many fish, don’t get huge, and do a decent job cleaning. I introduced them after feeding both terps figuring this would give them an advantage so they could have a good headstart. I put the fish in there before i put the turtles back in from feeding them in their separate containers. I thought I was watching two lions chasing a zebra or the velociraptors from Jurassic Park! They saw the little plecos and started overturning driftwood, rocks, and practically doing backflips under water trying to frantically track them down. I know they weren’t hungry, I honestly think they just enjoyed the hunt! I’ve never seen them move so fast! Granted, the fish are still alive today because they even would climb partly out of the water along the floating cork bark to escape which the species you mentioned would be well equipped for as well, but I can’t image the mudskippers or even the water snake being completely safe from the powerful jaws of a ambitious and hungry terrapin. I think you might want to try it out if you truly desire one for your setup, because they are a pretty and charismatic turtle for visitors at your facility to see. Other places like the Baltimore Aquarium have many mixed species enclosures that seem to work well but be prepared for missing tails and fins. Good luck with the setup, it sounds amazing for a terrapin. I’d love to see pictures!-Scott McDanielsecretserval
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