Fact Sheets - Nutrition for aquatic turtles
It is difficult to provide a well balanced diet for companion aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles. Although there are species-specific dietary needs that need to be respected, there are general guidelines that can be applied to all omnivorous species. Most companion aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles are omnivorous, and their diet should ideally be composed of fresh vegetal products and fresh animal protein sources. The proportion and type of protein sources will vary according to the species of turtle.
Since most commercial turtle feeds are not proven to be reliable long-term diets (lack of product information and labeling, inappropriate nutrient content and proportions, lack of scientific studies), some turtle fanciers prefer to prepare their own turtle food. With an attention to detail, it is possible to provide a fresh and balanced diet to turtles and to prevent common malnutrition problems.
A complete jelly recipe for aquatic turtles
The following recipe comes from an article published in:
Chéloniens, la Revue de la Fédération Francophone pour l'Élevage et la Protection des Tortues:
Rasmont P. Un aspic simple et bon marché pour tortues aquatiques. Chéloniens 27 (2012) 12-17
| Ingredients | Quantity | Alternatives | Not recommended |
| Gelatin 200° Bloom | 80 g | Gelatin sheets (more expensive, difficult to make rise) | Agar-agar |
| Fish: Trout | 200 g | Sole, Haddock, Pangasius | See attached list1 |
| Meat: beef heart or veal liver | 200 g | Pork heart/liver, white poultry, poultry liver. Liver disintegrates well in water | Fatty meats (i.e.: ground beef) |
| Green beans | 400 g | Curly or romaine lettuce, escarole | Cabbage family seem to be less appreciated |
| Grated carrots | 300 g | Exotic fruits: kiwi, pineapple, mango, papaya...2 | |
| Cooked shrimp | 150 g | Other shell fish | Mussels3 |
| Vitamins | 30 g | Beware of overdosing | |
| Calcium lactate, gluconate or carbonate | 30 g | Fresh cuttlebone from the fish monger | Calcium sulfate or phosphate, bone meal |
| Effervescent vitamin C4 | 500mg | ||
| Cochineal red dye (E 124)5 | A pinch | Beware of overdosing | |
| Water | 1 L |
1 Fish should be offered whole (not eviscerated) and fresh. They are rich in protein and essential amino acids, in lipids, in vitamins A and D (in the liver), in vitamins K and B12 (in the intestines), in minerals and are poor in carbohydrates.
Smelt and mackerel: high fat content and too rich in polyunsaturated fats, which may induce a vitamin E (tocopherol) deficiency and steatitis (liver disease).
Smelt, sardine, carpe, herring, sculpin, catfish, goldfish: rich in anti-vitamin B1 (thiaminases)
Sardines and anchovies: rich in purines, may provoke visceral and articular gout if they are offered in large proportions.
It is important to note that wild caught fish may carry parasites that can contaminate turtles.
2 These fruit contain proteolytic enzymes that prevent the gelatin from solidifying.
3 Mussels are rich in thiaminases.
4 Vitamin C supplementation is not necessary in turtles. However, as a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C will slow down the degradation of the jelly preparation.
5 Turtles are generally attracted to bright colors; red and yellow in particular.
Start by mixing 1L of cold water with the gelatin. Let stand for 30 minutes at least or until the gelatin has absorbed all the water. Prepare the fish by removing the fins and head but conserve the internal organs. Cut into large cubes. Cut the meat into large cubes as well. Combine the meat, fish, greens and carrots in the blender. Add the shrimp, the vitamins, and the calcium. Add the vitamin C tablet after dissolving it first in a bit of water. Place the bloated gelatine in the microwave for 5 minutes to reach 125˚C. Add a small pinch of food coloring to the lukewarm gelatine and mix with the other ingredients. Place the whole mixture in a large shallow dish and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours. Unmold the jelly once it has solidified. Cut into appropriate sized cubes. These can be placed in sealed plastic bags and frozen. Cubes should be thawed for 12 hours in the refrigerator before being offered to the turtle.
Aquatic turtles will only eat when submerged. Uneaten food left in the aquarium will contribute to bacterial and algae growth and lower water quality. It is advisable to train turtles to eat in a separate plastic container, in order to help preserve the water quality of the aquarium. Turtles will often defecate while they eat, and so feeding them outside their aquarium reduces the quantity of fecal matter in their environment.
Édouard Maccolini, DVM, IPSAV (Zoological Medicine)