Musk/mud turtle queries

[pugwash]

Inspired by a trip to a road with many fish shops on the weekend, we stubbled across mud/musk turtles (the mrs wanted clown fish, and a firm no was the response). My lad is fascinated with all turtles, and has been from the age of 2.

Done a bit of research, discovering they grow to approx 5" (although there are 43 spp) and potentially up to 50 years. Should only have 4" of water when small, up to 2' when adult. Basking spots may/may not be used, but should be provided.

I have a 63G tank (48"x18") currently with 10 mbuna, but have been wanting to switch to something with more diversity. I'd get rid of the mbuna, and was toying with FM's and a Sal, but prefer more diversity instead. Can musk turtles co-exist with fish? People seem to have tried white cloud's/tetra's/swordtail's/plec's/cichlids - curious as to whether plec's work as they could quite easliy get bitten. And CA cichlid's too boisterous.

And decor - people appear to have quite barren setups. A bit of cork bark wedged somewhere, and a couple of plastic plants. I was thinking of sand, cobbles, tree roots and floating plants, and maybe some vallis.

Early days yet though...

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I keep a pair of Stinkpot Musk Turtles and a male Red Cheek Mud Turtle in a 100 gallon stock tank with various fish. They live with a female Convict Cichild, a male Paratilapia polleni, a large pleco and 10+ Giant Danios. I've never had any issues with keeping them all together. The turtles are well fed and have plenty of space. They pretty much ignore the fish.

Both mud and musk turtles are not very good swimmers so deep water is not important. They do however like to explore their enclosure so include lots of driftwood and rock strutures for them to climb on. Substrate is not needed but if you want something to line to bottom of the tank you can use slate or ceramic tiles. Sand substrate is a big pain to keep clean and you run a choking risk if you use gravel for your turtle. I keep live plants with my turtles. It provides something for them to nibble on and they like to climb and rest on floating water plants.

If you have any other question feel free to ask.

 

[pugwash]

Do they form pairs, or harems? I assume only 1 male for the tank in any case, and can they be sexed easily, ie, longer tails?

Does a gravel vac not pick up their waste, as I do quite like sand substrates...

And do you put submerged plants in little baskets if there's little/no substrate? Are emerged plants a feasbility?

Am pleased they could co-exist with other fauna.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

No, they don't form pairs at all. To be honest, turtles don't need company either to live happily. They can be sexed pretty easily. Males usually have larger, thicker tails and a bulkier head and jaws than the females. Male mud turtles also have a sharp nail at the end of their tails.

I use a gravel vac to spot clean their enclosure everyday. It's just easier to clean up the waste when you see it. You can use sand but it can be a pain to clean. I just go with bare bottom tanks for my turtles. If I have soft shell turtles, then I would use sand because they like to bury themselves in it.

I just have floating plants in my tub. There's a good chance my turtles would dig up anything I had planted in there.

Here's my 100 gallon stock tank.