Aquatic decorative turtles are frequent inhabitants of home aquariums. Children and adults love these cute reptiles. Care (Maintenance) In order for the turtle to live a long and fulfilling life in a closed tank, it is necessary to create appropriate living conditions for it and pay special attention to the correct diet.
In the article, we will consider popular brands of full-nutrition feed and treats for aquatic turtles, how many times a day, at what time and how to feed correctly, whether turtles need mineral and vitamin supplements, differences in the diet of adults and small pets, as well as depending on the species turtles
Features of feeding water turtles
Water turtles feed on plant and animal food. During the period of growth and body formation, turtles need food rich in protein. Natural products can be included in the diet in combination with ready-made dry food, intended specifically for aquatic turtles.
Natural products are served to turtles in small bites. A single portion is determined so that the turtle could completely eat the entire piece of food served during a 30-minute snack. DEVICE AND EQUIPMENT If an uneaten piece remains in the aquarium after a snack, you can reduce the portion at the next feeding.
A few more important rules for feeding water turtles:
natural food should be thermally processed before feeding the reptile;
the food served must be at room temperature;
food can be placed in the aquarium in a special feeder located on dry land so that it does not pollute the water;
feeding with pieces of food with tweezers is allowed;
to create a balanced diet, it is allowed to combine ready-made food with natural food.
Overview of artificial feed for water turtles
It is recommended to use dry food not as the main food for water turtles, but as an additional supplement that goes well with natural food.
The assortment of dry fodder for water turtles includes a large selection of products from different world manufacturers. DIET OF TURTLE We will conduct a brief review of types of artificial feed and other useful treats for domestic reptiles.
Complete dry fodder
Complete dry food can be given to young and adult turtles every day. The composition of this product includes useful components of plant and animal origin, selected taking into account all the requirements of the reptile’s body.
Popular brands:
Sera;
“Zoomir”;
Tetra ReptoMin;
Dajana.
Treats
The “Delicacy” category includes non-polnoration foods. They can be given only to adult turtles and no more than once a week.
Popular food treats:
JBL Tortil;
Tetra ReptoDelica Snack;
Sera Raffy Royal;
Zoomyr “Tortila M” Strong shell and others.
Vitamin and mineral complexes
At home, turtles cannot get all the microelements necessary for their body, which they obtain in the natural environment. So that the reptile does not get sick and feels good, it must be periodically fed with special vitamin and mineral supplements. You can buy ready-made complexes in pet stores.
Vitamin and mineral supplements for turtles:
MIX – mineral supplement with calcium;
MIX – strengthening additive;
mineral block “Tortila”;
Beaphar Turtle Vitamin – vitamin complex;
mineral block Ca+D3 “Tortila M”;
Sera vitamins;
Dajana is a mineral stone for aquatic turtles.
The diet of an adult turtle and small pets
The diet of a water turtle should be combined – natural food in combination with artificial feed. Let’s consider what products can and cannot be given to aquarium reptiles.
Natural Products For Aquatic Turtles :
1. It is possible to give low-fat river fish in chopped form with chopped bones. Do not feed turtles with bony or fatty fish.
2. It is possible to feed live gammarus and small crustaceans.
3. Raw shrimp and crabs are allowed.
4. Do not feed turtles with squid, although they love them very much.
5. It is categorically impossible to give reptiles the meat of terrestrial animals and factory meat products (sausage, canned food, etc.). The digestive system of reptiles does not absorb such food.
6.Occasionally, you can treat the turtle with pieces of beef heart and liver. These products nourish the body with vitamin A.
7. It is allowed to feed the reptile with fodder mice and frogs.
8. From vegetable natural food, turtles can be given carrots, lettuce leaves, apple pulp, greens, sprouted oats and barley.
9. It is possible to introduce non-poisonous meadow plants into the diet, as well as algae and some types of aquatic plants.
10. Pieces of pear, watermelon, melon, banana, apricot and raspberry are served in limited quantities.
The specificity of the menu of turtles depends on their species
Aquatic turtles are more likely to be predators, so the basis of their diet is food of animal origin. If a semi-aquatic or swamp reptile prefers vegetarian food lives in your aquarium, the diet will be based on plant food. Do You Really Need A Turtle In any case, the food for the turtle should be balanced and varied so that the body of the domestic reptile gets all the necessary substances and microelements to the fullest extent.
Diet For Aquatic Turtles :
The red-eared water turtle prefers fry, small fish with bones, insect larvae, chicken fillet, gammarus and shrimp. From vegetable food, you can give apples, lettuce leaves and slices of fresh cucumber.
The Chinese amphibious turtle Trionyx is happy to eat beef liver, heart, lean fish, fry and small frogs. From vegetable food, she will like fresh greens and pieces of tomato.
The European swamp turtle likes lean meat, fish with small bones and plant-based products.
The musk turtle prefers to feed on algae, fish and aquatic insects.
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