How to keep Stinkpot Turtles (Common Musk Turtles) - Pet Care - 15 Facts & Information

Here we share what we've learned keeping Stinkpot turtles over a year. We've had experience with Red Ear Sliders before, and this is our first time keeping stinkpots. Despite them being both turtles, they are very different in both personality, habits, and behavior. Previously, we shared a long list of mistakes we made while we had them in a small 20 gallon long tank (check for older videos), but here we keep them in a 30 gallon breeder.
These species of turtles are perfect for smaller aquariums because they stay relatively small compared to other turtles, but this does not mean they are easy to care for. They need similar types of care, much like their counterparts, but there are many things that you have to look out for. As a Stinkpot owner, make sure you watch this video so that you don't make the same mistakes that we did. Hope you enjoy this video!

[@girllady6939]

Finally someone talking about their plant loving ways!

[@feralon9570]

I absolutely love our eastern musk turtle, we got him exactly a year ago and he was smaller than a penny, now he's a little pig and is already over four inches in length. He's never musked that I have noticed but we only handle him about once per month when we brush his shell. My husband puts his hand low in the tank and he hops right on his hand and waits to be raised to the surface for his cleaning. My husband thinks he likes the feeling of the tooth brush on his back. 💚💚

[@RGBAquatics]

Oh wow that's incredible. Both of my female turtles musk on my hand whenever i pick them up lol. You're lucky to have such a cool turtle!

[@JihadBunnydick]

Does he try to bite?

[@feralon9570]

@@JihadBunnydick , He only bit one person in three years. That was our older daughter who put her finger on his nose. She's 25 so it was her own fault.

[@kouprey1]

Good commentary. I've had a female Stinkpot in with a female Eastern Mud Turtle for approx. 30 years. They were adults when I received them from a researcher who had to disperse a collection and they have shared a variety of tanks over the years. I have several Gouramis of 3 species plus 2 Corydoras in with them for the past 2 plus years. Added to give some movement in the tank. Both turtles ignore them though I have had other fish eaten on occasion. Your commentary about climbing is spot on. The Stinkpot has gotten out, primarily when looking to lay eggs, so I have taken additional measures to keep her contained. Great turtles.

[@girllady6939]

Agree, dont underestimate their climbing ability!

[@majesticcichlids1630]

Great video and information on the musk turtle, good job 👏

[@Jack008.]

Thanks this was so much help! 😀

[@colleenanne4032]

Thank you. This is great information! We have a 10 year old captive bred Stinkpot that we adore. His shell has retained shed flakes that have built up over the past year. We had his water too warm ~79*F and since he never used the basking area we only had a UVA/UVB bulb over the water. He started coming out onto his ramp more and more and we think this was to get out of the water that was too warm. We have the water at 76*-77*F now and have a basking bulb and UVA/UVB light. We were also told in a musk turtle group that all water conditioners are toxic to turtles and we will need drain out the water in his 55 gallon setup (we have it filled about1/3 full) and to use RO or filtered water with no conditioner. We used a new extra soft toothbrush to gently work the retained flakes loose and did a 50% water change with a faucet attachment on the sink for filtered water but it took 4 hours for the water in the tank to come up to temperature because the sink water has to be cold through the filter. What are your thoughts on the safety vs risks of water conditioners such as the Tetrafauna Aquasafe turtle water conditioner or others like it? Thank you

[@RGBAquatics]

While some turtle owners advocate for using only filtered or dechlorinated water without additional conditioners, the majority still use water conditioners such as Tetrafauna Aquasafe for turtles. While there are talks about potentially long-term issues, I believe it's up to the owner. Also, it depends on how sensitive your turtles are. It's essential to maintain appropriate temperatures and lighting conditions which you've already begun addressing with adjustments, but if you want to fully care for your turtles, based on their sensitivity and if you don't mind the extra work, I say go with the non-dechlorinate additive route. I personally keep saltwater reef tanks as well, so I already have a RO and RODI under my sinks and I apply them to each tank accordingly. Also, if you don't want to wait 4 hours to acclimate the temperature, collect the RO water and time it (mine takes about 1hr for a 5 gallon bucket) before you go to sleep and leave it overnight. That way by morning it's the same as room temperature. Hope that helps, cheers~

[@colleenanne4032]

Brilliant ideas and very helpful advice. Thank yoi so much. Our little guy looks so much better already. I never mind additional work if it is needed and in their best interest. 🤗 Thank you again.

[@RGBAquatics]

@@colleenanne4032 No problem. Anything to help. Thank you.

[@RGBAquatics]

@@colleenanne4032 Expanding on this topic, if you opt to use RO water for each water change, it's crucial to provide your turtles with additional calcium and essential nutrients. I typically coat their food in Repti calcium to ensure they receive adequate supplementation. While I primarily feed them pellets, I also incorporate mealworms, shrimp, snails, and other options into their diet. Remember, RO water lacks essential minerals that are beneficial for these turtles, so supplementation is necessary to maintain their health and well-being.

[@colleenanne4032]

Thank you so much for this! Do you have a favorite reliable water test kit and necessary parameters for turtles? We have one for our goldfish. We have very hard water which the goldfish is fine with. But I am not sure about our stinkpot. I got an API water softener pillow but after a decade of his set up being the same I don't want to awing the other way and cause him issues.

[@gmtturtles785]

Dude your take is absolutely KILLER amazing job!

[@RGBAquatics]

Thank you ~

[@JohnSmith-pw1gf]

8:00 love how you were doing just that at the beginning of this video.0:49

[@JohnyIIOh]

You're great! Only little quality content on waterturtles and many misinformed people sadly. Thank you so much for your content

[@turo_no_bull]

Mine climbed out of its tank and made its way to my room, where it climbed into my bed and spent the night with me lol. I didn't have a bed frame so it climbed right up the box spring and onto the mattress. Luckily we have carpet so she had a soft landing. PS I've had Shelby for about 2 years. She was given to me by a friend. Also was wild caught and she's about 3 1/2 inches. I've never once smelled her musk. Is that normal?

[@RGBAquatics]

Usually it's a behavior in response to being startled. I'm guessing your turtle feels comfortable lol. Crazy how it made its way to your bed. There are stories of unique turtles showing behaviors you normally dont see, you're lucky.

[@jesse7623]

I got two about a year ago o was going to move them to my 85 tank but I wanna do a live tank is there any types of plants that are not good for them

[@FracturesInTheSky]

Hey! Have you had any problems with having the two turtles in the same tank. I've heard conflicting information regarding cohabitation. Have you noticed any bullying or aggression etc?

[@RGBAquatics]

None so far, they've been together over a year (1 year and 1 month). Very rarely when it's time to eat, they mistake each others foot as food and bite in the wrong areas, but it's never on purpose. If there is any aggression, I have tanks to separate them but they seem to like each other's company.

[@alanrobisonPD1960]

Everything was fine except for the volume. Maybe speak up a little too. Really enjoyed your footage and knowledge. Greetings from Riverside in Southern California

[@RGBAquatics]

Thank you for the feedback, I'll improve on it when I upload more videos. Cheers~

[@taramansion]

@@RGBAquatics I found it refreshing. I come from a family of big mouths, so this is a nice change of pace.

[@RGBAquatics]

@taramansion =D this is my old video but thank you

[@zanaiphillip2147]

Hi I’m buying a musk turtle next week and I have some questions. First question I’m getting a 20 gallon long tank because I’m only getting one but with the filter should I get a 5-20 gallon our a 20- 50 gallon. Second question is it ok if I put water in a separate container and feed it there. That’s all of have more I will definitely ask you. Please respond

[@RGBAquatics]

Over filtering is always better than just following the bare minimum but with that said, since the tank is so shallow, the flow might push the sand aside a lot. Even though I just gave you a vague answer, i would still go with something bigger (me personally). Use driftwood or rocks to prevent the strong flow from creating a sand crater. I've seen many people feeding their turtles outside of the tank and that's actually a good way to keep the tank clean. Keep in mind though, they might not be accustomed to you at first so they might just focus on running away. Give it some time and keep at it, should work fine.

[@AQUAGUYUK]

Hmm great facts some i knew some i did not helped with the two i just rescued

[@the.wanderbus]

How do you do water changes?

[@RGBAquatics]

I use a siphon to do regular water changes every week, siphoning gunk. Once a month I completely remove the driftwoods and stones for a major water change.

[@Jeffdelgado28]

Hey I have a question. I have a stink pot turtle in a 60 gallon tank. Can I put a tiger Oscar in the tank with him/her.

[@RGBAquatics]

Keeping fish with turtles is always a hit or miss. Also, if you are going to add fish, make sure not to fill the tank because there is a possibility that the turtle might drown as they aren't really great swimmers.

[@ottooctavius9552]

Don’t you lose a lot of water to evaporation?

[@RGBAquatics]

Yes especially in the summer. I feel like most of the evap comes from when the filter let's out water. When I keep it flowing and clean it evaps a little less

[@remi3375]

Is a 40 gallon long tank good enough for one baby and can it still live there when it's older?

[@RGBAquatics]

Yes~ for one stinkpot, a minimum of 20 gallon long should suffice. 40 Gallon, you can get two females or keep 1 male. Hope that helps~

[@davidarden6942]

I do have a question, is it abnormal for a baby musk turtle to bask often? I find my baby musk basking all the time, even sleeping on the basking area, Water parameters are good, there is enrichment, proper lighting and the baby is eating, only think I could think of is maybe the zebra fish I put In are causing problems. I do not use a heater but my house stays 75 degrees.

[@RGBAquatics]

Check with another thermometer if your readings are correct. If indeed its constantly at 75, even at night and temperature isnt the issue, it could be due to respiratory issues. Possible respiratory infection which usually happens when it's cold, especially during winter.

[@davidarden6942]

@@RGBAquatics so it’s interesting, since this post he has been eating, temp stays at 75 and otherwise seems healthy. It seems that he likes to bask, I’ve purchased him about two weeks ago and I live in Arizona desert so it stays hot around this time.

[@ryanndlc11]

Have u ever had any more problems with the plecio and turtles?

[@colleenanne4032]

I was wondering that too.

[@twister7897]

what food for my 1 year old 3.5 inch musk

[@RGBAquatics]

Try similar diet but maybe every other day. Add some high protein diet like fish, shrimp, crickets, worms, etc. I've seen some people give algae wafers for greens too

[@AnonymousAmyMakes]

I just inherited two musk turtles in a 10 gallon tank with NOTHING else. What should my first steps be?

[@colleenanne4032]

Do you know their age or about how large are they? Have you gotten a larger tank for them yet?

[@turtlekeepingwithdrewandlu6990]

We enjoyed the series. Do you have an Instagram?

[@johnterrance3075]

I live in Ontario, Canada & it's illegal to buy these turtles. I would LOVE to buy a few of them though!

[@RGBAquatics]

I ordered them from a reputable breeder in Florida, but I'm in New York. I didn't know it was illegal in Canada. I thought they are commonly found in some parts of Canada too.

[@johnterrance3075]

@@RGBAquatics They're found in Ontario, Canada however the common (stinkpot) Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) "is currently listed as Special Concern under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 and Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act". Therefore it is illegal to poach them from nature & it's also illegal to buy & sell them. There was an article a few years back about some guy from Windsor, Ontario who got hit with a fine (thousands of dollars) for smuggling turtles in his pants! LMAO.

[@RGBAquatics]

@@johnterrance3075 oh wow lol that's crazy.

[@myheartsphilosophy7622]

Why is my tank so dirty all the time? I just changed the water just last week and already it’s murky

[@RGBAquatics]

I change water weekly and do a full clean monthly. Try to use a tweezer to feed them directly. Also, try to run a pump, see if that helps. Stale spots makes water dirty

[@DamonAquatics]

My Razorback musk doesnt bask . Why is that ?

[@RGBAquatics]

Musk turtles in general rarely bask in the wild. Even when they do, they do it for a few seconds or minutes.

[@AgonyTheClown]

My musk turtle pulls herself out of the water every night to bask. I didn’t know she did this for years. She does it every night.

[@nachocalvo699]

Hello they eat vegetables o are totally carnivoros?

[@colleenanne4032]

There are some veggies they can have. In some forums and groups there are lists of safe and unsafe. I would love a vid on this though. Zucchini, cucumber and red leaf lettuce are all ok in moderation but our guy doesn't have any interest in them.

[@muursnorthwestamexem8581]

Where did you purchase and are they male female?

[@RGBAquatics]

They are both female actually. My daughter and son named them so I just let them have whatever name they gave them. I wouldn't put two males together at this size, or ever actually, but definitely avoid during maturity. I ordered them from Florida, can't remember where, but I was able to specifically pick the gender for the turtles.

[@muursnorthwestamexem8581]

@@RGBAquatics could you find out where you bought them

[@girllady6939]

Ive never had a musk turtle "musk" after a dozen or so. Maybe be more vocal with reassurances

[@comepuchas990]

6.3.22 no guerra

[@lydiegriffiths4343]

It is very hard to hear you. There is a little echo and the noise or running water covering your voice quite a bit :(

[@RGBAquatics]

I'll try to remake this video soon. I'm uploading a new setup video tonight. Sorry about that, I'm still a learning video editor. Will keep note.

[@tls5669]

just cover your tank

[@girllady6939]

Reptomin is ok. For babies, or sickly turtles...Flukers all the way!

[@muursnorthwestamexem8581]

These types of turtles don’t need uvb

[@RGBAquatics]

Debates are split on whether they need it or not. Some say they get enough from diet but I'm not a scientist so I dont risk it.

[@user-fw9ir4vi5k]

Put down a lot of korean and world's stock. And d'ont raise it up. This is right in Jesus Christ~! 🐢........