🐢 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Turtle Care: Aquatic Housing, Diet & Shell Health Essentials 🌊🥬🩺

By Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc

Freshwater turtles are unique and rewarding pets when cared for properly. Their aquatic lifestyle and specialized needs require careful attention to water quality, diet, lighting, and shell health. This 2025 veterinary guide will walk you through creating the ideal turtle habitat, feeding routines, and health strategies to keep your shelled companion thriving. 🐢💧

📖 Understanding Freshwater Turtles

Commonly kept species in Australia include the Eastern Long-Necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) and Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii). These turtles can live 20–40+ years and grow up to 30 cm. They’re semi-aquatic, spending time both swimming and basking. 🌞

🏠 Tank Setup & Aquatic Habitat

Proper housing is vital to prevent stress, shell deformities, and disease:

• Minimum Tank Size: 150 L per adult turtle—larger is better for swimming space.
• Water Depth: Deep enough for full swimming (typically 2x shell length).
• Basking Area: Dry dock or floating platform with ramp access and overhead heat/UVB source.
• Filtration: High-powered external or submersible filter—turtles are messy!
• Substrate: Optional—bare-bottom tanks are easier to clean, or use large river stones.
• Heater: Maintain water at 24–26°C for most species; adjust seasonally.

☀️ UVB Lighting & Heating

• UVB Light: Essential to prevent metabolic bone disease—use a 10.0 UVB tube over basking zone, replaced every 6–12 months.
• Heat Lamp: Basking spot temp 32–35°C
• Night Temps: Water can drop to 20–22°C safely; avoid sudden shifts.
• Photoperiod: 10–14 hours/day depending on season

🥬 Turtle Diet & Feeding

Turtles are omnivores, and their diet must balance protein, vegetation, and vitamins:

• Staple: Commercial turtle pellets—ensure high protein and vitamin D3 content.
• Protein: Feeder fish, earthworms, insects, cooked egg, raw or cooked meats (sparingly).
• Veggies: Romaine, dandelion, duckweed, bok choy, zucchini—rotate regularly.
• Fruits: Occasional treats—banana, berries (not a staple).
• Calcium: Cuttlebone in tank, calcium supplement 2–3x/week

Feeding Schedule

• Juveniles: Daily small meals
• Adults: Feed every 2–3 days
• Feeding Tips: Use a separate container for feeding to reduce tank fouling

🩺 Shell Health & Common Conditions

Healthy shells are smooth, firm, and free from soft spots or discolouration:

• Shell Rot: Caused by bacteria/fungus—signs include pitting, softness, or foul odor.
• Pyramiding: Raised scutes from poor diet or humidity—correct with improved husbandry.
• Algae Growth: Harmless in moderation—clean with soft toothbrush if excessive.
• MBD: Metabolic bone disease from poor UVB/calcium—causes soft shell, lethargy, deformities.

🧼 Maintenance & Hygiene

• Daily: Check water clarity, remove uneaten food, monitor turtle behaviour
• Weekly: Partial water change (25–50%), rinse filter media in tank water
• Monthly: Full water change (if needed), deep clean decor, inspect UVB and heat bulbs

⚠️ Signs of Illness

• Lethargy, floating or inability to submerge
• Refusal to eat, swollen eyes, nasal bubbles
• Shell softening, white patches, or foul odor
• Visible injuries or unusual aggression

📱 Resources & Support

• 🐢 Need help? Visit Ask A Vet or download the Ask A Vet app
• 💧 Shop UVB lights, filters, basking docks at Woopf
• 🥬 Browse water conditioners and calcium supplements from Purrz

With consistent care, balanced nutrition, and clean, well-lit housing, your turtle can thrive for decades. These ancient reptiles are resilient, intelligent, and endlessly fascinating. 🐢💧