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 #1847176


BurmeseMD
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 Possible Alligator Snapper in Pond

Ok so my neighbor "gave" me a new turtle for my pond. It’s a Koi Fish pond with about 6 large Koi Fish...approx 400gallon pond. The turtle is about 3 to 4 inches. I looked up the 2 different types of snappers and it definitly looks more like an Alligator snapping turtle.

What would be best to feed this guy and when will he be big enough to eat my 10"+ Koi fish?
Also how fast do these little guys grow? Ill need to move him eventually...
And is it normal for them to spend most their time at the bottom of the pond?
08/30/08  05:02pm

 #1847182


Sdslancs
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   Message To: BurmeseMD   In reference to Message Id: 1847176


 Possible Alligator Snapper in Pond

That’s a coincidence! I found a 4" snapper yesterday and have been online comparing the alligator with the common. I also thought mine was an alligator, as it’s shell has ridges and is quite bumpy. Also, he has a little beak. Do you have any pics of yours? I posted mine on the ’contest’ thread.
08/30/08  05:11pm

 #1847186


BurmeseMD
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   Message To: Sdslancs   In reference to Message Id: 1847182


 Possible Alligator Snapper in Pond

No sorry no pictures...I got a good look at it today while I was doing a water change in my pond. I didn’t even know it was there until today. I knew my neighbors had put it in there but I had started to wonder if it left the pond since it is always under water. Luckily all my fish are alive and have full tails to swim with...Today I added a waterfall/rock fountain for him to crawl onto incase he gets tired of swimming.
08/30/08  05:18pm

 #1847677


Gottee guy
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   Message To: BurmeseMD   In reference to Message Id: 1847186


 Possible Alligator Snapper in Pond

is there vegetation in the pond?
alligator and common snappers will eat nearly anything that moves around them(that’s about small enough to eat).so you can feed it/them turtle pellets (mazuri and reptomin are the best),feeder fish like guppies;rosy reds;etc. ,friut(seedless and whole or cut up),vegetables and collared greens,mice, or rats for when it gets bigger,sunfish,bass,etc. it will also hide in and eat the vegetation in the pond.
could you post some pics of it in the pond?
alligator snappers can get to 180 lb. live for 200 years and get nearly 4 long. so that pond is okay for life.

the problem is that it will eventually eat all of the koi, and goldfish and koi are VERY BAD for a turtle,or any reptile’s, health! so when the snapper gets very big, i would suggest moving the koi to another pond or at least netting off part of the pond for the koi,although the turtle could still break the net to get to the fish.
i’m not sure exactly how fast they grow,but i think a few inches a year until they get to about 20 lb or something like that.
08/31/08  09:27am

 #1847691


BurmeseMD
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   Message To: Gottee guy   In reference to Message Id: 1847677


 Possible Alligator Snapper in Pond

I think my pond is just going to be a temporary home...like I said its a Koi Pond...not a Turtle Pond, haha. Theres no vegetation and I really don’t have the time to be running to the store to buy feeder fish. and a 200lb turtle that can bite your finger off doesn’t sound appealing. Theres an awesome pond down the road I could put him at...always see turtles out there.
08/31/08  09:44am


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