AboutShorty Expertise ~my dad got mad and took away my internet. dont kno when ill have it back. sorry...~
I will answer all questions as best I can, and if I am unsure of the answer, I will be willing to do research. I can answer questions about tetras, especially neon tetras. I can also answer questions on common diseases and parasites and how to treat them, and tank setups, maintenance, and cleaning. I can provide info. on cichlids (including breeding), goldfish, raising and breeding fancy guppies, and feeding your fish. If I don’t know the answer to your question, I will research and tell you my findings.
Experience I am 16 years old, but I have owned at least one fish tank since I was in elementary school. I now have a tank dedicated to raising and breeding fancy guppies, with much success. I have another tank with goldfish, which I’ve had the longest, and a larger tank with convict cichlid cichlids, which I have successfully bred, jewel cichlids, and an oscar. I’ve also raised and bred other cichlids as well. I used to have two other tanks, one with angel fish, and the other with tetras, which I recently got rid of. I’ve raised other fish such as catfish and gouramis along the way too. Since I have had fish so long I know much about diseases, and parasites, and how to treat them.
At the time i am writing this now i have:
1 Oscar
2 Jewel Cichlids
1 betta
6 goldfish
1 Kuhli loach
1 Rainbow shark
1 pleco
25 guppies
6 adult convict cichlids
30 young convict cichlids
Organizations I am hoping to volunteer at Hawk Creek.
Education/Credentials im only 16.... but I've been on the honor role my whole life(averages in the mid 90's), and im taking college courses in highschool.
Expert: Shorty Date: 6/10/2008 Subject: Painted Turtle in Koi Pond
Question Hey there,
I noticed that all the "pond experts" are on vacation so I thought I'd give a "fish expert" a try with my question.
I have a koi pond and recently found a Painted Turtle swimming in it, and was unable to catch it. The pond is probably a foot and a half along the edge and about 3 feet in the middle by approx. 8 feet by 8 feet.
I'm just wondering if the Turtle is a threat to my Koi or if it will just simply eat other sources of food. I have some Koi that are over a foot long and some that are a little bit bigger than an inch. The turtle is probably about 4 inches long, so I'm expecting the little Koi to get eaten, but not sure about the rest.
If I'm unable to get the turtle out should I be buying smaller feeder fish for the turtle?
Answer Hi Kenny! This is just some info on the turtles diets. Young Painted turtles are mostly carnivorous, eating lots of insect type foods including: crickets, larvae, worms, beetles and maggots. They will also eat snails, crayfish, leeches, and small fish. As these turtles grow older the prefer a more vegetarian diet.
Your young Koi are at risk considering their small size. The larger ones should be fine, the turtle would probly have a hard time coming close to killing the large koi, let alone actually eat them, and would prefer to find vegetation to eat. Buying feeder fish for the turtle is your choice, i don't know how much it would benefit you. Its usually better for wild animals not to eat fish bought from pet stores because the fish can have deseases or parasites that can harm them.
The turtle would probably leave after a little while if there were no good food sources left for him in the pond. Adding feeder fish could encourage him living there. It depends on if you want the turtle to call your pond home. If you want to provide food, i might instead add duckweed or other plants to your pond. If you have any other questions you can ask and i will try to help! Good Luck!
