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Is it safe for a small turtle to live with a larger red-eared slider?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Sorry! In my last question regarding the hatching living with Oscar, Oscar is a turtle not a fish, that’s his name, although I do have a cichlids tank but that’s different:). So would a hatching be able to live with a 5 ish inch turtle red eared slider? Male, loves to eat live feeder goldfish (small) and snails. There are two basking docks. Should I get a yearling instead that could live with him? There are two basking areas. can all slider turtle breeds live together?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on April 30th, 2018

I wouldn't recommend keeping a smaller turtle with a larger turtle. Oscar would harass or try to eat the smaller turtle. Red eared sliders can be quite territorial and aggressive towards other sliders. If you have a huge tank, say over 100 gallons, it *may* work. If you are set on having another turtle, look for one that is similar in size. The problem with mixing species is that there may be care and environmental differences that you may not be able to overcome in order to provide adequate care to both species.

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