14 Types of Freshwater Turtles: The Best Aquarium Companions

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Get the ideal pet turtle for your decorative pond or home aquarium by understanding the different species that are easy to domesticate and their unique care needs, including tank requirements and diet, all from this one comprehensive guide. 

Introduction 

Are pet turtles the perfect aquatic pet for your aquarium? Would a turtle tank setup be easy to maintain like other freshwater pets we’ve covered, or is owning a pet turtle complex thus only recommended for pro aquarists? 

The answer really depends on the turtle species and how far you will go for your aquatic pets. 

Freshwater turtles are typically small to medium sized pets with specific habitat needs, such as gallon size, strong filtration, consistent temperature, basking areas, a natural light cycle, and an omnivorous diet. 

The complexities of these care needs depend on each turtle’s species. You must understand their features and habitat needs to determine the best freshwater turtles for your aquariums and level of expertise.

Let’s explore 14 fascinating freshwater turtles that can thrive in aquariums!  

See Also: The 8 Best Toys for Pet Turtles to Play With for enriching toys that keep your turtle active and healthy.

Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Perhaps the most popular aquatic pet turtle native to Southern USA is the Red-Eared Slider. You can easily identify them with the red stripe behind the eyes and their active behavior. Because of their size, these beginner-friendly turtles need large tanks with ample basking and swimming spaces. Red-Eared Slider care is easy for first-timers, so you can always start your turtle tank with this species.  

Painted Turtle (Chyrsemys picta)

If you prefer colorful freshwater turtles as your tank’s centerpiece, consider the Painted Turtle native to North America. They’re known for having bright shell markings and being the best pet turtles adaptable to various water conditions.    

Painted Turtle aquarium care includes strong filtration to keep the water optimal,  a basking area to warm their pretty shells, and moderate swimming spaces. 

Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) 

Small freshwater turtles like bottom-dwelling Musk Turtles are perfect for moderate-depth tanks. The common Musk Turtle tank setup should have sandy substrates because they love hiding at the tank’s bottom. Also, note that this species excretes a musky odor when threatened. It’s a trait to be well aware of for this turtle’s aquatic care in while in home community tanks.      

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)

Would you prefer having fast-swimming pet turtles? Then, get the highly active Northern Map Turtle species. They’re larger than most freshwater species, with males averaging 5 – 6.2 inches (9 – 15 cm) and females 10.5 – 12 inches (18 – 30 cm)!

This distinctive size and ability to thrive in fast-flowing strong water currents make Graptemys geographica the best turtles for large tanks.  

Razorback Musk Turtle (Sternotherus carinathus) 

Let’s look at another small turtle species with a distinctive appearance that makes it stand out despite its size. Razorback Musk turtle tops the list of aquarium-friendly bottom-dweller turtles. 

This species enjoys lying on soft substrates and has a distinctive raised shell ridge. Keep the  Razorback Musk Turtle habitat oxygenated and clean since this pet spends most of its time at the waters bottom. 

False Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) 

Let’s throw a semi-aquatic turtle species into the mix. Did you know river-dwelling turtles like the False Map turtle make great pets? 

They’ll need a large tank with strong water currents, but there’s even False Map Turtle care to cover if you choose this species. You must provide enough basking space and an omnivorous diet with enough calcium to support shell strength. 

Unlike the Northern Map Turtle, False Map Turtles have an L-shaped yellow mark behind their eyes and are less social.  

See Also: The Best Heat Lamps & UVB Lights for a Turtle Tank to choose the best basking light essentials for your pet turtle.

Reeves’ Turtle (Mauremys reevesii) 

Small pet turtles for aquariums, like Reeves’ Turtles, a.k.a. Chinese Pond Turtle from East Asia, are ideal for shallow waters. 

Although they’re easy freshwater turtles and ideal for beginners, you must ensure your Reeves’ Turtle care doesn’t lack necessities like a dedicated basking area to accommodate heat intake and overall health care. 

Yellow-Bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) 

If you’re looking into aquatic turtles for home aquariums or ponds, you’ll love this alternative to the Red-Eared Slider, the Yellow-Bellied Slider. Instead of having a red ear, these active pet turtles have a yellow underbelly, as if you hadn’t already figured that out by its name. 

Yellow-bellied slider care includes providing them with a large tank, varied diet, and basking spots to allow them to express their active traits.  

Loggerhead Musk Turtle (Sternotherus minor) 

Can you imagine a bottom-dwelling turtle species that loves a shallow home? Because they exist in the form of Loggerhead Musk Turtles. As far as aquarium-compatible turtles go, finding a species like this, which doesn’t require depth, is the jackpot for compact tanks. When designing the Loggerhead Musk Turtle habitat, ensure enough hiding spaces and adequate substrates. Watch out for their strong jaws while they scavenge for food. 

Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) 

Semi-aquatic turtles like the Spotted Turtle, with their striking yellow spots, are unique freshwater turtle species that can be a centerpiece in your tank. The Spotted Turtle care is also beginner-friendly because they don’t need much to thrive. Give them a tank with clean, shallow water and feed them a well-maintained diet, and they’re good to go. 

Southern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis) 

Earlier, I highlighted the beauty of colorful aquatic turtles, so let’s shine a light on another sub-variant, the Southern Painted Turtle. There’s no denying that these colorful species are some of the best turtles for aquariums, but sometimes, they are too big for your tank. 

So, consider adding the Southern Painted Turtle; it’s smaller than the others but still has a striking red dorsal stripe on its shell. 

Your focus in Southern Painted Turtle Care is on serving your pets a balanced diet and maintaining a well-filtered tank with moderate current to avoid stressing your turtle. 

See Also: How to Keep a Turtle Tank Hygienic & Clean for methods to keep your turtle’s environment clean and your turtle healthy.

Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) 

It’s only fair to explore the West after discussing the South. So, what’s it to the Western Painted Turtle? Does it also fit the list of the best pet turtles for home aquariums? 

Western Painted Turtles are large freshwater turtles, but their size isn’t a problem for home aquariums or ponds with the right setup. You must provide Western Painted Turtles with deep tanks, soft substrates, rich vegetation, slow currents, and a strong filtration system to keep the water clean. 

Western Painted Turtle care is easy once their tank is properly setup. They eat protein-rich and plant-based foods, live in cool water, bask in hot temperatures (80 – 90℉), and enjoy resting on large rocks. 

Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) 

I can’t leave you without giving you one of the most unique freshwater turtles for large setups, the Chinese Softshell Turtle. 

Be careful when adding softshell turtles in aquariums because although their names suggest delicacy, they can be dangerous! Softshell turtles are carnivorous and would feed on fish, insects, or small crustaceans. They’re aggressive, fast swimmers who enjoy relaxing in sandy substrates and warm water but dislike basking. 

Keep your fingers out of their way when feeding them because they bite hard, and ensure adequate filtration for their tank water. That’s the essential Chinese Softshell Turtle care to get you started on housing these beautiful turtles. 

Stripe-necked Musk Turtle (Sternotherus minor peltifer) 

We’ll close this guide on the best beginner-friendly aquatic turtles for your home aquariums with one more subvariant, the Stripe-Necked Musk Turtle. By now, you already know the peculiarity of the freshwater Musk turtles and how they stink when threatened. 

Well, here’s another musk color variant with some unique traits you may love. This species has a yellow-striped neck pattern that sometimes appears as cream. 

It’s also 3 – 5 inches in size and rarely basks, and they prefers clear, rocky, calm waters. Use rocky substrates instead of sand or mud for the Stripe-Necked Musk Turtle’s habitat. 

Also, the Stripe-Necked turtle is shy, which is not the best trait for a centerpiece. But don’t mistake its shyness and habitat preference with a peaceful temperament because this species may bite you if you get too close. Keep a reasonable distance and monitor their body language, and you’ll be fine. 

Essential Care Tips for Freshwater Aquarium Turtles 

All 14 turtle species in this overview have unique care needs, but there are some general turtle tank maintenance rules that will help all of them. 

Think of the commonalities they share: their need for clean water, adequate lighting, and areas for basking, even if they prefer hiding, and their dietary needs. 

Proper turtle filtration depends on your pet’s size and habitat preference. Light sponge filters and single canister for small to medium-sized turtles, while strong currents and double canister filtration work for large turtles in large, deep tanks.  Balance swimming and land areas based on turtle species by providing large rocks with easy access for basking.  

Finally, ensure your freshwater turtle diet fits the species. Don’t feed carnivores like Chinese Softshell Turtles plant-based food or overload omnivores like False Map Turtles with protein-rich food only. Create a balance for the healthiest result. 

See Also: 8 Reasons Why Your Turtle Won’t Eat (Tips & Fixes) to figure out why your pet turtle might not be eating which if not remedied can become detrimental.

Conclusion 

You can now make your informed freshwater turtle selection from any of the 14 interesting species listed in this overview. They’re all suitable pet turtles for aquariums, even if the sizes, species, and care needs vary. 

Read each description carefully, and be honest about your experience level so you don’t get overwhelmed by a complex turtle species like the Chinese Softshell Turtle as a beginner. First-time aquarists should consider easy options like Red-Eared Slider, Stripe-Neck Musk, and Reeves’ Turtles. 

Proper care will maximize your pet’s lifespan for up to 40 years. Long–term turtle care includes: 

• Cleaning the tank periodically
• Maintaining stable water conditions 
• Feeding the turtles an adequate diet, and 
• Ensuring optimal living conditions with compatible tank mates. 

Leave a comment below letting us know which turtle species you currently have, are going to get, or which turtle should have made our list of the best turtle companions!

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