How to keep turtles at home

Turtle farming at home requires controlling water quality, regulating temperature, scientific feeding, regular disinfection, and providing a sun drying environment. Turtle is sensitive to the environment and needs to simulate natural habitat conditions to avoid deterioration of water quality or sudden temperature changes that may cause diseases.

1. Water Quality Management

Soft shelled turtles have high requirements for water quality and need to use tap water that has been exposed to direct sunlight or well water that has been left to stand for 2 days. It is recommended that the water depth exceed twice the height of the turtle's back shell. Change one-third of the water volume every week and maintain a pH value between 7-8. Activated carbon or coral sand can be placed in the water to stabilize the water quality. During high temperatures in summer, it is necessary to increase the frequency of water changes to avoid excessive algal growth.

2. Temperature Control

The water temperature should be maintained between 25-30 degrees Celsius, and a constant temperature heating rod should be used in winter. The temperature difference between day and night should not exceed 3 degrees Celsius, and juvenile turtles require higher water temperatures. Equipped with a thermometer for real-time monitoring, low temperatures can cause turtles to refuse to eat, and sudden temperature changes can easily lead to diseases such as pneumonia.

3. Feed feeding

mainly consists of animal feed such as small fish, shrimp, and snail meat, supplemented with specialized compound feed. Juvenile turtles should be fed once a day, and adults should be fed once every 2-3 days. The recommended feeding time is within 10 minutes. In summer, plant feed containing fruits and melons can be increased, while in winter, the feeding frequency can be reduced. Live bait needs to be soaked in salt water before feeding.

4. environmental disinfection

Use povidone iodine solution to thoroughly disinfect the breeding area every month, and clean utensils daily. Newly purchased turtles need to be raised separately and observed for one week. Before entering the pool, soak them in 5% saline water for 10 minutes. When fungal infection is detected, a tetracycline bath can be used, and white eye disease should be isolated in a timely manner and treated with chloramphenicol eye ointment.

5. Sun drying setting

A sun drying platform should be set up above the water area, with the exposed part of the water surface accounting for 20% of the aquaculture area. Use smooth stone or floating boards, with edges made into gentle slopes for easy climbing. Ensure 2-3 hours of natural light or UVB lamp exposure daily to promote calcium absorption and kill surface parasites in turtles.

When raising turtles at home, it is important to maintain a quiet environment and avoid frequent disturbances. When mixed breeding, there should not be more than 3 individuals per square meter, and individuals with significant differences in body size should be separated. Regularly observe the activity status and fecal form of turtles, and adjust the feeding plan in case of abnormalities. During the breeding season, it is necessary to prepare an egg laying sand pit and raise the larvae separately after hatching. It is recommended to use water quality testing kits to regularly monitor indicators such as ammonia nitrogen and nitrite, and to maintain ecological balance in conjunction with probiotic preparations.