Musk Turtle Compatibility

HI all, I have a 55 gallon tank that’s been cycled and running for over a year now. It currently just has a single short-tailed black moor. I work at my lfs and finally convinced my manager to start selling aquatic turtles, that being said, I absolutely adore musk turtles. Do you know if they, or another turtle, could live peacefully with said black moor (who’s about 3-4 inches not including fins)? My tank is well filtered so I’m not all that worried about decreased water capacity to lower the water line and back a basking spot. I also have cuttlebone on hand for my snails that my turtle could utilize, and I’m more than ready to purchase a basking platform, additional filtration, heating lamp, and UV lamp if necessary. Thanks in advance!

Tank info is as follows:
Filtration- aquaclear 70 and 90 gal sponge filter, I would be adding an additional canister filter if I were to get a turtle

Parameters-
Ammonia- 0
Nitrites- 0
pH- 7.2

Temp- 74° (Though I would likely lower the wattage of heater if I were to get a turtle if the heater and uvb affected the water temp)

I’d also like to note that this is one of my 11 tanks and I have a regular water change schedule, so the additional bioload wouldn’t be an issue as I check my parameters frequently. I’m more worried about if it’s possible for them to get along! I have lots of hiding places available as well.

 

I’m honestly going to go out on a limb and say it’s completely possible, but I’m not sure how well the turtle would thrive. Musk turtles would do better in a tropical fish aquarium rather than with goldfish though 74 degrees does seem doable for adults. Babies and juveniles need higher heat. And having a basking area of 90 degrees may be too hot for the goldfish in all honesty. It just seems a bit too risky for both the goldfish and the turtle.

I also can’t think of very many that would be comfortable at the low temperatures goldfish thrive in because they’re cold blooded and typically need a lot of heat.

Do you have any tropical set ups that you may be able to work one into? Keep in mind a musk turtle will eat fish if it’s able to fit it in its mouth haha.

 

HI all, I have a 55 gallon tank that’s been cycled and running for over a year now. It currently just has a single short-tailed black moor. I work at my lfs and finally convinced my manager to start selling aquatic turtles, that being said, I absolutely adore musk turtles. Do you know if they, or another turtle, could live peacefully with said black moor (who’s about 3-4 inches not including fins)? My tank is well filtered so I’m not all that worried about decreased water capacity to lower the water line and back a basking spot. I also have cuttlebone on hand for my snails that my turtle could utilize, and I’m more than ready to purchase a basking platform, additional filtration, heating lamp, and UV lamp if necessary. Thanks in advance!

Tank info is as follows:
Filtration- aquaclear 70 and 90 gal sponge filter, I would be adding an additional canister filter if I were to get a turtle

Parameters-
Ammonia- 0
Nitrites- 0
pH- 7.2

Temp- 74° (Though I would likely lower the wattage of heater if I were to get a turtle if the heater and uvb affected the water temp)

I’d also like to note that this is one of my 11 tanks and I have a regular water change schedule, so the additional bioload wouldn’t be an issue as I check my parameters frequently. I’m more worried about if it’s possible for them to get along! I have lots of hiding places available as well.

I had a musk turtle (had a bad attitude)when I was younger and I tried keeping it in with my goldfish..about a hr there was scales everywhere normally they don’t go after healthy fish but some fish that get to close normally end up dinner now for you and just about everyone who wants to keep a turtle with fish I’d always will go for a red eared slider since your fish is semI large they won’t bother big fish maybe a accidentally tail or fin nips occasionally but it just depends on the turtles attitude in general.

 

Thanks for the advice! I’ve thought of sliders but currently don’t have access to a big enough tank as my 55 gallon is the smallest I own. I’ll keep an eye out for other turtles that may do well in that size tank with my black moor.

 

The water temperature is going to be too low for pretty much any turtle species. Red ear sliders shouldn’t have water below 75 degrees. I’ve been searching for a turtle species that is suitable for a 55 gallon but none of them can handle that temperature. Reptiles can go in to hypothermic shock in temperatures in the low 70s because they rely on their environments to keep them warm. Specifically with turtles they will stop swimming and close themselves off in their shells to preserve what little warmth they have left.

And even if you are able to offer a proper basking area for the turtle, the temperature is going to be raised too much for the goldfish.