Can a Soft Shell Turtle and a Red Eared Slider Turtle go in the same tank?

Question

I currently have a Red Eared Slider turtle (10 years old) and I was walking through a pet shop today and saw a Soft Shell Turtle, about the same size as my Red Eared Slider. I have a 20 gallon reptile tank that is filled with water up until about 2 inches from the top. Then there is a ramp with a basking area. Would it be ok to put the two turtles together? Will they fight?

Answer 1

Keeping a ten year old red eared slider in a 20 gallon tank is like you living in a Port-a-Potty. It is definitely not big enough for two turtles. And no, I wouldn't keep a soft shelled turtle with a red eared slider. Red eared sliders are notorious for being bullies.

Answer 2

Red Shell Turtle

Answer 3

A 20 gallon tank is way to small for a Red Eared Slider! It needs to be 10 gallons per inch of the shell. The species are so different, too! It is very unhealthy to put two different species together. No, it is not okay.

Answer 4

i have a 100 gallon outdoor koi pond set up in my house for my turtles-i have a slider, an asian sideneck, and an ornate wood box turtle. the slider was in first....i got the asian about 8 months later and put her in and they were fine. i then decided to put my box in with them so he would have a bigger set up as well. he spends most of his time on the ledge or when he does go in the water, he seems to like being under the filter and having it run over him like a waterfall. all three will stack up and bask together in the afternoon under the lamp. i have a mississippi map turtle that will eventually find her way in there as well, but right now is definately too small to risk it. they all eat feeder fish and pellets and i toss spinach in the water for them a couple times a week too. my box also gets nightcrawlers and veggies-he doesn't seem to like the pellets or fish.....they are all very happy......

Answer 5

Its 10 years old and still fits in a 20 gallon!? Try getting a different tank before trying to put another turtle in.