Red-eared sliders need a diet that is a mixture of both animal and plant materials. They eat more animal protein when they are young, so babies should start out with a diet higher in meat.
Giving turtle babies plants is still a good idea, even if they might not start eating them until they are a little older. If you give it to your slider early on, it might be less likely to be afraid of plants as it gets older. That is useful because vegetation should make up a significant portion of the adult red-eared sliders diet.
Red-eared sliders are popular pet turtles known for their omnivorous appetites. Their diet includes plants, insects, worms and even small fish. But can these turtles safely live with fish if housed in an aquarium habitat? This article will delve into red-eared sliders’ natural feeding habits and examine if and when they eat fish.
An Overview of Red-Eared Sliders’ Diets in the Wild
Red-eared sliders scientifically known as Trachemys scripta elegans are a semi-aquatic turtle species native to the central United States and northern Mexico. In the wild, they inhabit calm, warm bodies of water like ponds, lakes, creeks and marshes.
As omnivores, red-eared sliders have a diverse diet in their natural environment Here are some of their main dietary components
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Aquatic plants – Around 50% of a red-eared slider’s diet comprises aquatic vegetation like duckweed, water lilies and algae. They forage plants growing underwater or floating on the surface.
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Insects – Sliders eat any small insects that fall into the water or come near the surface like flies, mosquito larvae and water striders.
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Worms – Worms are a protein-rich part of their diet. They eat both aquatic worms like tubifex as well as earthworms.
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Mollusks – Sliders consume small aquatic mollusks like snails and freshwater clams living in their water habitats.
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Fish – Small fish are also occasionally eaten by red-eared sliders when they can catch and overpower them.
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Carrion – Sliders are opportunistic and will scavenge any dead or decaying animal matter in their aquatic environment.
So in the wild, red-eared sliders are versatile foragers that consume anything edible they encounter in or near the water – including small fish.
Do Pet Red-Eared Sliders Eat Fish?
In captivity, most pet red-eared sliders are housed in aquarium setups. Some owners choose to add fish as tankmates. But will domestic red-eared sliders view these fish as friends or food?
The answer is that in most cases, red-eared sliders will eat smaller fish if housed in the same tank. This is because their natural foraging instincts remain intact even if bred in captivity.
However, adult sliders may leave larger mature fish alone. Their food preferences shift as they grow. Hatchlings and juveniles are more likely to prey on tank fish than full grown adults.
Here are some other factors that determine if a pet red-eared slider will eat tank fish:
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Fish size – Small fish under 2 inches long are likely to be eaten. Larger fish over 4 inches are safer.
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Fish speed – Slow moving fish like bettas are more vulnerable to sliders than fast fish like danios that can evade capture.
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Hunger levels – Well-fed sliders are less likely to hunt tank fish than hungry ones. Providing ample veggies curbs hunting.
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Shelter access – Fish with abundant plants and decor to hide in are harder for sliders to catch.
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Prior exposure – Sliders accustomed to eating feeder fish view tank fish as food versus companions.
So the combination of turtle age, fish characteristics, tank setup and feeding regimen impacts if a pet slider will consume tank fish or not. Caution is needed when housing fish and red-eared sliders together.
Why Do Red-Eared Sliders Eat Fish? Examining Their Feeding Habits
Red-eared sliders are opportunistic omnivores – they will eat any protein or plant food readily available. Several aspects of their natural feeding ecology and behavior lead them to eat fish.
Foraging Instinct
In the wild, red-eared sliders spend a majority of their active time foraging for food. They are constantly combing their aquatic habitats seeking anything edible. This instinct isstill strong in captive red-eared sliders.
Hunting Abilities
Red-eared sliders are patient and skilled hunters of small prey. Their excellent vision, ability to stalk quietly and rapid strike all help them catch unsuspecting fish.
Omnivorous Diet
Red-eared sliders require a mixed diet of protein-rich animal matter and vegetation for optimal health. Fish provide a convenient animal protein source.
Opportunistic Eating
Red-eared sliders eat whatever food is readily available instead of seeking specific prey. Pet sliders view accessible tank fish as easy opportunistic protein sources.
Scavenging Tendencies
Red-eared sliders scavenge any fresh animal carrion in their habitats. Dead tank fish are unlikely to go uneaten by a scavenging slider.
Variation Seeking
In the wild, sliders vary their diet based on seasonal food availability. Eating tank fish provides dietary variation and mental stimulation.
So ultimately, red-eared sliders are instinct-driven omnivores adept at hunting small prey – all factors leading them to consume tank fish despite their companion pet status.
What Types of Fish Do Red-Eared Sliders Eat?
In the wild, red-eared sliders prey upon several species of small freshwater fish found in their native aquatic habitats. Some common wild fish prey include:
- Mosquitofish
- Minnows
- Sunfish
- Darters
- Killifish
- Livebearers like mollies and swordtails
They eat whichever small fish are naturally available in their local ecosystem. Almost any freshwater fish under 3 inches long is potential slider prey if unprotected.
In captivity, pet red-eared sliders are most likely to eat:
- Feeder fish like guppies, goldfish and rosies
- Small community tank fish like neon tetras and danios
- Bottom dwellers like cory catfish and shrimp
- Slow moving fish like bettas and angelfish
Some fish are too fast, well-armored or large to be consumed by a red-eared slider. Examples include koi, cichlids and common plecos. Owners need to research tank fish compatibility before housing them with a slider.
Can Red-Eared Sliders Safely Live With Fish?
While red-eared sliders are adept fish hunters, they can potentially coexist with fish peacefully in a tank habitat under certain conditions. Here are some tips:
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Choose large, fast fish over 3 inches long like rainbow fish or barbs that can evade capture. Avoid small species.
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Provide ample dense vegetation, rock caves and driftwood to give fish ample hiding spots and breaks in line of sight.
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Feed sliders regularly with greens, vegetables, worms and pellets to curb hunting behavior.
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Introduce the slider to tank while young and raise it with fish to increase familiarity.
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Pick sturdy armored fish like plecos that can withstand investigatory nibbles.
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Use a 100+ gallon tank to provide adequate space and minimize confrontation opportunities.
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Provide basking platforms so sliders spend time out of the water and away from fish.
With precautions, a compatible habitat with limited fish predation is possible. But some loss of more vulnerable fish should be expected. Heavily planted tanks with larger vigorous fish work best.
Are Feeder Fish Safe for Red-Eared Sliders?
Some owners offer feeder fish like guppies, goldfish and minnows to their red-eared sliders. But feeder fish are not ideal nutrition sources and raise safety concerns.
Potential issues with feeder fish include:
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Nutritional deficits – Feeders lack proper calcium and vitamin levels unlike gut-loaded insects.
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Parasite transmission – Feeders often harbor parasites transmittable to turtles.
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Tank fouling – Uneaten feeders quickly foul tank water quality.
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Choking hazards – Feeders have delicate bones turtles can choke on.
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Precision concerns – Unlike tong feeding, turtles may ingest substrate while hunting feeder fish.
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Ethical issues – Some view feeding live vertebrates to captive herps as unethical.
While occasional treats, feeder fish should not be a dietary staple for red-eared sliders. Adult sliders offered a varied diet rarely require fish protein. Feeders are best avoided if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can red-eared sliders eat goldfish?
Yes, red-eared sliders will readily eat small goldfish if housed in the same tank. Goldfish make common feeder fish, and pet sliders view them as prey.
What fish are safe with red-eared sliders?
Large fast fish over 4 inches like
What Do Turtles Eat?
Commercial pellets are fairly nutritious, convenient, and beneficial since they contain a good mix of vitamins and minerals. However, as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. Giving your little guy a lot of different foods is better than just giving him a commercial turtle pellet. A variety of fresh food offers a wider range of nutrients in different forms.
The red-eared slider is also more interested in being fed a variety of things, which is a good way to enrich its diet. Live prey is especially popular because it lets turtles hunt like they would in the wild, which is good for their health. In general, try to keep the amount of pellets you eat to about 25% of your diet and fill in the gaps with foods from the list below:
- Things it eats include crickets, silkworms, bloodworms, daphnia, shrimp, krill, earthworms, and waxworms. For very small turtles, prey might need to be cut up ahead of time. You can feed bigger turtles bigger prey, like tadpoles or feeder fish. But some experts say that feeder fish may carry parasites and other bad things, and some fish, like goldfish, are too fat to be fed regularly.
- Radish greens, kale, bok choy, collard greens, and mustard greens are all leafy greens. Because it isn’t healthy enough, iceberg lettuce should never be fed. Dark green leafy lettuce like romaine can be fed in small amounts. Make sure you feed items with appropriate calcium-to-phosphorous levels.
- Swimming Plants: You can put swimming plants in a pond or aquarium that turtles love to eat. They like to eat plants that are submerged in water, like duckweed, azolla (fairy moss), water lettuce, anacharis, and frog-bit.
- Along with the orange carrot and the green top, there are also squash, green beans, and carrots. Shredding vegetables makes them easier for turtles of all sizes to eat.
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The Spruce / Vin Ganapathy