Fish and Food

Question
Hi again. I have always offered my turtle live minnows in his cage, but I guess that's not a good thing, because now he knows that if he doesn't catch them that I'll feed him other things. So, occasionally, to keep his diet mixed, I hand feed him minnows. I was just curious, what if I were to not only put food in there, but made an aquarium for him and the fish? Obviously a few would go missing now and then, but I thought it might be pretty cool. Do you think that since they look different, however, that he would eat like any cleaner fish? I know it's kind of stupid making a fish tank in the turtle tank, but just thought it would be kind of cool, and putting in the cleaner fish might lower how often I wipe the sides from algae. I'm sure he'll taste them at first, and may eat them for a while, but would he get used to their presence and treat them like his minnows, and know that if he doesn't eat them that I'll feed him his other foods? Hope you can answer soon, and thanks for the great past answers.

Answer
Hi again Crissy!

I don't think it's stupid at all to make a fish tank in a turtle tank.  Fish help the turtle get exercise and also give them some entertainment.  I should probably mention it is stressful for the fish so to be humane you might want to think of a way to make sure the fish don't suffer for too long (meaning they aren't kept in the tank for more than 6 months or so).  I know, I know they are just fish but they are still living creatures.

You can try cleaner fish.  You might want to google the fish to make sure they aren't toxic in any way.  Also you may want to make sure the fish don't carry parasites.  I think water turtles are suseptable to a certain lung parasite and I don't know where they get it.  (I'm assuming you have a water turtle?  Sorry, I don't remember)

I think it's OK if your turtle knows that if he doesn't catch any that you will feed him other foods.  They need a variety of foods.  Plus, I don't remember what kind of turtle you have but if nature didn't make him to catch fish then he probably doesn't need a constant supply of fresh fish.

I hope I answered your questions...

-Amanda