He has killed a sucker fish, and before this happened, I added a couple of snails to help clean up and he busted their shells and ate them. Everyone tells me they aren't suposed to be aggressive but he even bites me!
Answers:
He isn't aggressive he is a turtle and out in the wild that is how they eat. Don't put more fish in the tank with him or you will just kill them aswell.
In the wild, Red-ear sliders regularly eat fish and snails, as well as other animals. It is only natural that they will do it in a tank as well.
Biting at you is a sheer defense technique. As far as it knows, you are a giant bird of prey trying to pick it up to dash it on the rocks and eat it.
When you pick up a turtle, try to scoop it up so it feels you under its feet. it will still try to get away, but it will feel less threatened that way.
As for sucker fish and snails- try different sizes. Food items that are too big or small are no longer looked upon as food.
In general, aggression has a few underlying causes:
- General stress, like too much noise/vibration, flashing lights, being stared at by giants, being handled, etc.
- Too small of a cage. One reason we suggest at least 10 gallons per inch of turtle is that it gives the turtle a chance to develop a safe hidy hole, and feel like it can evade enemies.
- Wrong diet, temps, or lighting. Hungry turtles are aggressive turtles. Turtles that are too warm are aslo aggressive, as are turtles that cannot escape bright light.
- Injury or illness
Double check the basic cares at sites like http://www.austinsturtlepage.com. or http://www.redearslider.com to see if yours are doing OK.
Finally, some turtles are just plain more aggressive than others.
Oh, by the way- whoever told you RES are not aggressive was mistaken. They are considered a moderately aggressive species when healthy. Placid RES are usually not well cared for.
