Pelusios Nanus (African Dwarf Muds)

cdmay

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
1,945
Location (City and/or State)
Somewhere in Florida
The above sounds like a great idea although I doubt that most keepers have any real idea where theirs came from originally.
Eric reports that his are kept in water that is not deeper than six inches.
Any Natural History about wild P. nanus would be useful reading.
 

KevinGG

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2013
Messages
1,119
Location (City and/or State)
Santa Cruz, CA
The above sounds like a great idea although I doubt that most keepers have any real idea where theirs came from originally.
Eric reports that his are kept in water that is not deeper than six inches.
Any Natural History about wild P. nanus would be useful reading.

Yes, importers are notorious for not caring where their animals came from. This is why studbooks have become so important.

Six inches seems like a good depth. I’ll try that.

Unfortunately, p. Nanus natural history is virtually nonexistent. I was so glad when Anthony sent me that batagur article, because you just can’t find much info on them. Jay Frewer, who has bred them, has told me that friends who have seen them in the wild told him that they occupy shady ponds. He doesn’t provide a typical “hot” basking area for this reason. Apparently, they will aestivate in the mud during the dry season as well.
 

Anthony P

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Messages
2,162
Location (City and/or State)
Swamps, bogs, and vernal pools
The ones that I kept and that Gerard bred were from the Congo. There is next to ZERO natural history information on these guys in English, anyway. I exhausted every bit of information, got my hands on pages from rare old books and everything. What you see in that article is just about everything you'll find in literature regarding their natural history.

Pelusios adansoni is the closest relative, and you can learn some from researching that species and comparing notes on what can be found for nanus.
 

jjuchems

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
17
First thank you for sharing puctures of your set-up. Any updates on how yours are doing? I have some arriving and am looking for ideas on water depth, basking area used, ect. I am looking to go with a African paludarium project. I am going with Anumbias from Congo and hopefully a Nanochromis species once I find some to tank raise and place their offspring in the tank. If I can not go with Nanochromis and I will just use tank raise Kribensis.
 

KevinGG

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2013
Messages
1,119
Location (City and/or State)
Santa Cruz, CA
First thank you for sharing puctures of your set-up. Any updates on how yours are doing? I have some arriving and am looking for ideas on water depth, basking area used, ect. I am looking to go with a African paludarium project. I am going with Anumbias from Congo and hopefully a Nanochromis species once I find some to tank raise and place their offspring in the tank. If I can not go with Nanochromis and I will just use tank raise Kribensis.

They are doing well. They are a really great species. I’m actually moving them inside the house now, because I love watching them. They seem to do best in relatively shallow water. I’m keeping mine around 6”-8” deep. I tried about double that and they weren’t coming off land for extended periods of time and seemed to be floating more than usual, so I lowered it again and they were back to swimming around. To be clear, this species spends a lot of time on land as it is and they do float around for long periods. You’ll learn what is normal for your group. The biggest land area you can provide is probably best. They really do use it often. I use a coco coir and sand mix, though some use only sand. Sometimes I’ll find them buried in the sand, both in water and on land. Water quality isn’t a big issue for them, though you should aim for good water quality always. Lots of driftwood and plants are preferred in my experience. They seem to prefer low light as compared to a basking area. Still provide it because they do use it, but they’ll spend most of their time in “shadier” spots. Jay Frewer told me that this species spends most of its time in shaded ponds and doesn’t get much direct sun. I don’t know how accurate this is, but he was relaying information from a friend who has been to their native range. I keep water temps pretty warm (mid to high 70s). My water has gotten down into the sixties and they dug into the sand and were fine. They seem to be very hardy. A good rule of thumb is that if they aren’t eating, something isn’t right. Mine ate the first day I got them and rarely turn up their noses to anything. Keep us posted on your Nanus. Good luck!
 

jjuchems

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
17
I am excited to add them. I bought P. nanus with the intentions of putting them in my Zoo Med Turtle Tubs in the summer, as I used them to raise my C. flavomarginta that have since outgrown them and are headed to the breeding tub this summer. Everyone I have talked to has stated they enjoy watching them and have moved them indoors. So the paludarium idea started and I may use the Zoo Med Tubs for raising fish and hatchlings.
 
M

Musa Nathan

Guest
There is not a lot of information available on African Mud Turtles...I have a Pelusios Rhode...Most fresh water turtles are 60% omnivorous...the mus is very important for the Shell Health...as long as they are eating it’s positive...
 

KevinGG

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2013
Messages
1,119
Location (City and/or State)
Santa Cruz, CA
Saw the first breeding activity in this species yesterday. It was a short breeding attempt by the male that the female broke loose from after a few seconds. It was brought on by the addition of fresh water to the aquarium. I had to remove the glass covers to the aquarium for another tank, so I had to refill yesterday. Nice accident. More fresh water to come. Here’s an incredibly crappy photo: IMG_3855.jpg
 

cdmay

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
1,945
Location (City and/or State)
Somewhere in Florida
Kevin, the addition of ‘new’ water has a positive effect on many kinds of freshwater animals when it comes to breeding. Countless tropical fish and invertebrates are triggered into spawning by the sudden change of water. A slight temperature drop, water level increase, influx of new odors and the elimination of wastes are all factors.
So it makes perfect sense that those little muddies would likewise respond by breeding.
It would sure be cool if yours successfully reproduced!
 

KevinGG

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2013
Messages
1,119
Location (City and/or State)
Santa Cruz, CA
Kevin, the addition of ‘new’ water has a positive effect on many kinds of freshwater animals when it comes to breeding. Countless tropical fish and invertebrates are triggered into spawning by the sudden change of water. A slight temperature drop, water level increase, influx of new odors and the elimination of wastes are all factors.
So it makes perfect sense that those little muddies would likewise respond by breeding.
It would sure be cool if yours successfully reproduced!

Yes. I feel so excited working with them. There is so little information on them that every behavior I notice is a sort of revelation. Well, at least for myself. They are hardy turtles and can take nighttime dips. I’d like to get some more, but I don’t really want to support the importation of wild caught individuals. I have in the past, but it now feels contradictory to everything I think in regard to turtles. Hopefully more will come to me either through CB success or third parties. Will keep this thread updated with any news.
 
Top