Pelusios nanus tank

[julietteq]

Thank you!

Have you seen this thread?

Pelusios Nanus (African Dwarf Muds)

Thought I'd share the new pair of Pelusios Nanus or African Dwarf Muds. The name is accurate. These guys are incredibly tiny. (I'll believe they can lay multiple eggs when I see it:).) I believe they are the smallest freshwater turtle species, but not positive on that. They are incredibly...

www.tortoiseforum.org

There you see exactly what I mean with a "swamp" box

 

[Patty P]

Have you seen this thread?

Pelusios Nanus (African Dwarf Muds)

Thought I'd share the new pair of Pelusios Nanus or African Dwarf Muds. The name is accurate. These guys are incredibly tiny. (I'll believe they can lay multiple eggs when I see it:).) I believe they are the smallest freshwater turtle species, but not positive on that. They are incredibly...

www.tortoiseforum.org

There you see exactly what I mean with a "swamp" box

Thanks Juliette, I did read this. I have scoured the internet and this forum plus Austin's forum for every piece of information I could find on the African Dwarf Mud Turtles. I picked this breed of turtles because of their small size and their friendly personalities. For the past 50 years, I have only had RES and Hermann tortoise.

 

[julietteq]

ofcourse you did ! You are so dedicated. Sorry about that. remember to show me the upgrades you make to your tank. Would love to see it and how it will affect their behaviour.

 

[Patty P]

No problem, you have been so helpful and you are a great resource. I may have to order those cherry shrimp!!!!
Have you ever put one of those small red-clawed crabs in the tank with the turtles? I have one in my tropical fish tank and he is not happy. I am thinking he (the crab, that is) would prefer the turtle tank with all the hiding places and land features. The turtles are still too small to eat the crab but would the crab hurt the turtles?

 

[julietteq]

Good morning, I really have no idea. I have been intrigued with those crabs as well, but I am quite certain my turtles will eat him so I have not tried. PS: I also have an adult pardalis pardalis (https://www.tortoisetown.com/pardalis-pardalis-for-sale/) she is the one who got me started on tortoises and turtles. The turtle pond is in the greenhouse I build especially for her because there is no way any tank will be big enough for her

 

[Patty P]

Good morning, I really have no idea. I have been intrigued with those crabs as well, but I am quite certain my turtles will eat him so I have not tried. PS: I also have an adult pardalis pardalis (https://www.tortoisetown.com/pardalis-pardalis-for-sale/) she is the one who got me started on tortoises and turtles. The turtle pond is in the greenhouse I build especially for her because there is no way any tank will be big enough for her

A Leopard tortoise??? Wow!!! How big is s(he)?

 

[Patty P]

Ghost shrimp will do the trick as well. but if you are interested in cherry shrimp you can order them online for example here https://www.theshrimpfarm.com/10-grade-aa-red-cherry-shrimp.php I think the fact that they are "red" is appearing to the turtles

I just ordered two moss balls and some cherry shrimp from this farm!!!! So excited!

 

[turtlesailor]

Fantastic enclosure!

 

[julietteq]

I just ordered two moss balls and some cherry shrimp from this farm!!!! So excited!

and....did they like it?

 

[Patty P]

The moss balls are being ignored at the moment. I did create a semi-swamp corner which they love and spend a lot of time sorting through the moss. The cherry shrimp are so small that I have them in a separate tank at the moment with amano shrimp and some pond snails.
Bug is growing faster than Wally. Bug is 10 grams heavier too. Do you think that may mean one is male and one is female? They bought seem to eat equal food amounts. I know it is too early to tell.

 

[julietteq]

In my case the male is significantly smaller then the females. so maybe Wally is the male? If you can send me pictures of the tale I may be able to see. Also, would love to see the swamp area! Told you they would love it Plus the plants do an excellent job cleaning your water.

 

[Patty P]

Here are pix of the tank and their tushies! In the tank, there is a plant area, a sandy land area, a basking area, and the shallow swimming area. Bug basks often, Wally- not so much.

 

[julietteq]

Sorry, but their tale is just too small. You will have to wait and see. I noticed they look like they are "swollen". Mine do the same thing when they are stressed because I pick them up. It is almost as if they would like to make themselves bigger. I love the swamp area. Just one suggestion, get some "Acorus calamus" and put it with soil in one of these pond baskets and put it in the swamp area (http://happet.eu/general-basket-for-pond-plants-square,c1,p161,o1,s1001,en.html). The soil will stay in the pot, the Acorus will filter the water and the turtles love sitting between the plants on the wet soil and will dig themselves in there during the night And last but not least, it looks really pretty. When they get too high, you can just cut them off and they will grow again.

 

[julietteq]

BTW: that picture with both of them in there looking up at the camera....It is just too cute L-)

 

[Patty P]

Sorry, but their tale is just too small. You will have to wait and see. I noticed they look like they are "swollen". Mine do the same thing when they are stressed because I pick them up. It is almost as if they would like to make themselves bigger. I love the swamp area. Just one suggestion, get some "Acorus calamus" and put it with soil in one of these pond baskets and put it in the swamp area (http://happet.eu/general-basket-for-pond-plants-square,c1,p161,o1,s1001,en.html). The soil will stay in the pot, the Acorus will filter the water and the turtles love sitting between the plants on the wet soil and will dig themselves in there during the night And last but not least, it looks really pretty. When they get too high, you can just cut them off and they will grow again.

Thank you for all your help. I figured the turtles are still too young to determine their gender. Now I am going to look for Acorus!!!!

 

[julietteq]

Here are pix of the tank and their tushies! In the tank, there is a plant area, a sandy land area, a basking area, and the shallow swimming area. Bug basks often, Wally- not so much.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WO2US9U/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
works extremely well as well to keep in the soil.

 

[julietteq]

Acorus 'Ogon' is the dwarf version, so you will not have to worry about it getting too high. I am certain every garden centre that has a pond section will have it and they only cost a few dollars.

 

[Patty P]

Acorus 'Ogon' is the dwarf version, so you will not have to worry about it getting too high. I am certain every garden centre that has a pond section will have it and they only cost a few dollars.

That is better as my water level is 3 inches in the deep section. Thanks, I have a few garden centers in the area. I will check them out tomorrow.

 

[Patty P]

Do

That is better as my water level is 3 inches in the deep section. Thanks, I have a few garden centers in the area. I will check them out tomorrow.

Do you use regular potting soil or aquatic pond soil?

 

[julietteq]

http://hoffmannursery.com/plants/details/acorus-gramineus-ogon in case you need more info.
Really, the more real plants you have, the happier the turtle and you will not have to change the water that often. they also love stuff like duckweed, but I am afraid that that will clog up your filter. Maybe water lettuce will be a better option for you. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012CGJT5Q/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20