{"id":47199,"date":"2026-10-30T03:23:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T01:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/?p=47199"},"modified":"2026-10-30T03:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T01:23:18","slug":"aquatic-turtle-care-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/aquatic-turtle-care-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Aquatic Turtle Care Guide: Red-Eared Slider, Softshell and African Sideneck"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mts-article\">\nA small turtle in a bowl is how most pet turtle stories start, and how most go wrong. Aquatic turtles live for decades, grow far bigger than the hatchling you bring home, and need three things most fish never do: dry land, a hot basking spot and UVB light. Plan for those from the start and a turtle is a fascinating, long-lived companion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mts-summary\">\n<strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> An aquatic turtle needs <strong>clean, filtered water at about 24\u201327\u00b0C<\/strong>, a <strong>dry basking area at about 32\u201335\u00b0C<\/strong>, and a <strong>UVB lamp<\/strong> so it can absorb calcium and build a healthy shell. Plan the tank for the adult turtle, not the hatchling: a common rule is <strong>about 15 liters of water for every centimeter of shell length<\/strong>. Use a filter rated well above the tank volume, a heater guard or stainless-steel heater, and a varied diet. Turtles can live 20\u201350 years, so they are a long commitment.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"toc\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#species\">Three Popular Aquatic Turtles Compared<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#commit\">Before You Buy: The Commitment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#tank\">Tank Size and Setup<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#bask\">Basking Area, Heat and UVB<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#water\">Water, Filtration and Heating<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#feeding\">Feeding Your Turtle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#routine\">Weekly Care Routine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#health\">Health Warning Signs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#safety\">Hygiene and Responsible Ownership<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Aquatic Turtle Care Guide: Red-Eared Slider, Softshell and African Sideneck<\/h1>\n<h2 id=\"species\">Three Popular Aquatic Turtles Compared<\/h2>\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto;\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;min-width:600px;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Turtle<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Lifestyle<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Lifespan<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Key needs<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Red-eared slider<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Semi-aquatic, basks often<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">20\u201340 years<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Large water area, basking spot, UVB, varied diet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Softshell turtle<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Highly aquatic, fast and active<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Decades with good care<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Soft sand, very clean water, no sharp decor, lots of space<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">African sideneck<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Semi-aquatic, curious<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Up to 50 years<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Big tank, dry basking area, UVB, no small gravel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Red-Eared Slider \u2013 The Classic Pet Turtle<\/h3>\n<p>The red-eared slider (<em>Trachemys scripta elegans<\/em>) is named for the red stripe behind each eye. It is hardy and sociable with its keeper, but it is a long-term pet that can live 20\u201340 years. Adults commonly reach 13\u201316 cm and older females can grow larger, so the tank has to grow with it. Sliders want water at 24\u201327\u00b0C and a basking spot at 32\u201335\u00b0C under UVB.<\/p>\n<h3>Softshell Turtle \u2013 The Fast Swimmer<\/h3>\n<p>Softshell turtles (<em>Apalone<\/em>) have a flat, leathery shell instead of hard scutes and spend most of their time in the water, often buried in sand with only the snout showing. They are quick, can bite hard, and their soft shell scratches easily, so they need fine sand, smooth decor and very clean water at about 22\u201326\u00b0C. They are sold small but grow considerably, so they suit keepers who can provide a large tank later.<\/p>\n<h3>African Sideneck \u2013 The Curious One<\/h3>\n<p>The African sideneck (<em>Pelusios castaneus<\/em>) folds its neck sideways under the shell instead of pulling it straight back. It is hardy and often described as beginner-friendly, but it needs plenty of room: a tank of roughly 340\u2013415 liters for an adult. It is best kept one per enclosure to avoid aggression, and it can live up to 50 years. Avoid small gravel, which it may swallow.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Turtles available now:<\/strong> the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/adult-red-eared-slider-turtle-trachemys-scripta-elegans\/\">Adult Red-Eared Slider<\/a> (13\u201316 cm), the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/softshell-turtle-apalone-sp\/\">Softshell Turtle<\/a> (sold small, about 5\u20136 cm) and the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/african-sideneck-turtle-pelusios-castaneus\/\">African Sideneck Turtle<\/a> (10\u201312 cm). Turtles are live animals, so size and colour can vary slightly from the photos.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"commit\">Before You Buy: The Commitment<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Decades, not years:<\/strong> plan for 20\u201350 years of care, including who looks after the turtle when you travel.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Space grows with the turtle:<\/strong> a hatchling tank is temporary. Budget for a larger tank as it grows.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Turtles are messy:<\/strong> they eat and produce far more waste than fish of the same size, so filtration and water changes matter.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Usually one per tank:<\/strong> many turtles become territorial, especially in a small space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"tank\">Tank Size and Setup<\/h2>\n<p>A widely used rule of thumb is <strong>about 15 liters of water per centimeter of shell length<\/strong>. A 10 cm turtle therefore needs roughly 150 liters, and a 15 cm adult roughly 225 liters. More is always better, and water depth should be at least about one and a half times the turtle&#8217;s shell length so it can turn over easily.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Swimming area:<\/strong> long and wide matters more than tall; turtles swim across the tank, not up and down.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dry land:<\/strong> a stable basking platform the turtle can climb onto fully and dry off on.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Substrate:<\/strong> bare bottom is easiest to clean. If you use substrate, choose either fine sand (essential for softshells) or stones too large to swallow.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Secure lid or high sides:<\/strong> turtles climb better than you expect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>A starter tank for small turtles:<\/strong> the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/50-cm-aquatic-turtle-tank-plastic-island-cover\/\">50 cm Aquatic Turtle Tank<\/a> comes with a built-in plastic island and a half cover. It suits hatchlings and small turtles while they grow; it does not include a filter, so add one. Adults and the African sideneck need a much larger setup, and our team can build a <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/custom-built-aquarium\/\">custom aquarium<\/a> to the size you need.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"bask\">Basking Area, Heat and UVB<\/h2>\n<p>Basking is not optional. Turtles climb out to warm up, digest food and dry their shell, which helps prevent shell infections. Under the lamp, the basking spot should reach about <strong>32\u201335\u00b0C<\/strong>, while the water stays cooler at about 24\u201327\u00b0C, so the turtle can move between the two.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>UVB is essential:<\/strong> it lets the turtle make vitamin D3 and absorb calcium. Without it, the shell and bones weaken over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Place the lamp safely:<\/strong> above the basking spot, out of reach and away from splashes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Run it on a timer:<\/strong> around 10\u201312 hours a day gives a steady day-night rhythm.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Replace UVB lamps as the maker advises:<\/strong> UV output fades long before the visible light does.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Heat and UV in one lamp:<\/strong> the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/aquanature-boshi-halogen-lamp-turtle\/\">Aquanature Boshi UVB+UVA 3.0 Halogen Lamp<\/a> provides gentle heat together with UVB and UVA light for reptiles and turtles. Check the basking temperature with a thermometer after you install it.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"water\">Water, Filtration and Heating<\/h2>\n<p>Turtles produce a lot of waste, so filtration needs to be generous. Choose a filter rated for <strong>two to three times your actual water volume<\/strong>. Canister and strong hang-on-back filters both work, as long as they can be cleaned easily.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Treat new water<\/strong> with a water conditioner before it goes in.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Heat the water<\/strong> to about 24\u201327\u00b0C for sliders and sidenecks, or about 22\u201326\u00b0C for softshells.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protect the heater:<\/strong> turtles knock things over. A stainless-steel heater or a heater guard prevents breakage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Change part of the water weekly:<\/strong> roughly 25\u201350%, depending on how dirty it gets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Filtration and heating:<\/strong> for small to medium turtle tanks, the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/jeneca-lt600-external-hanging-filter\/\">Jeneca LT-600 Hang-On Filter<\/a> moves up to 500 L\/H; for large tanks, the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/sunsun-hw304a-external-canister-filter\/\">SunSun HW-304A Canister Filter<\/a> (2,000 L\/h) has plenty of capacity. The <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/xilong-l-399-stainless-steel-heater\/\">XiLong L-399 Stainless Steel Heater<\/a> stands up to knocks better than glass, and <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/seachem-safe\/\">Seachem Safe<\/a> conditions the water at every change.\n<\/div>\n<p>Our <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/aquarium-filtration-guide-choosing-the-right-filter\/\">filtration guide<\/a> and <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/aquarium-heater-guide-sizing-placement-safety\/\">heater guide<\/a> explain sizing in more detail.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"feeding\">Feeding Your Turtle<\/h2>\n<p>Most aquatic turtles eat both animal and plant food, and young turtles eat more protein than adults.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Staple:<\/strong> a commercial turtle pellet made for aquatic turtles, sized for your turtle&#8217;s mouth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Greens:<\/strong> leafy greens and aquatic plants, especially for adult sliders.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protein treats:<\/strong> insects, worms or small pieces of fish, in moderation. Softshells are more carnivorous and enjoy worms and live invertebrates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Calcium:<\/strong> together with UVB, calcium keeps the shell hard.<\/li>\n<li><strong>How much:<\/strong> juveniles daily, adults every second or third day; remove uneaten food quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-tip\">\n<strong>Tip:<\/strong> Feeding in a separate container keeps the main tank much cleaner. Long tweezers let you hand-feed treats safely, out of range of a hungry bite.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Feeding tool:<\/strong> <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/long-aquarium-tweezers-20-cm\/\">20 cm Stainless Steel Aquarium Tweezers<\/a>, straight or curved, are made for tank maintenance and for feeding reptiles. Ask us about turtle food options when you order your turtle.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"routine\">Weekly Care Routine<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Daily:<\/strong> check the water and basking temperatures, feed, and remove leftovers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weekly:<\/strong> change 25\u201350% of the water with conditioned water and wipe the basking area.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Every few weeks:<\/strong> rinse the filter media in removed tank water, never under the tap.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Every few months:<\/strong> check the UVB lamp&#8217;s age and replace it as the maker advises.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For the general principles of water changes, see <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/how-often-should-you-change-aquarium-water-complete-guide\/\">How Often Should You Change Your Aquarium Water?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"health\">Health Warning Signs<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Swollen or closed eyes:<\/strong> often linked to poor water or diet. Improve both and seek advice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Soft or deformed shell:<\/strong> usually missing UVB or calcium.<\/li>\n<li><strong>White patches, pits or a bad smell from the shell:<\/strong> possible shell infection; dry basking and clean water help prevent it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Floating lopsided, wheezing or bubbles from the nose:<\/strong> possible respiratory infection, often from water that is too cold.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Not eating for a long time:<\/strong> check temperatures first.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-warning\">\n<strong>Warning:<\/strong> Turtles with symptoms like these should be seen by a vet who treats reptiles. Do not wait for a respiratory or shell infection to clear on its own.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"safety\">Hygiene and Responsible Ownership<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Wash your hands<\/strong> with soap after handling a turtle or its water. Turtles can carry Salmonella, so supervise young children.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep turtle equipment separate<\/strong> from the kitchen sink and food areas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Never release a turtle<\/strong> into the Nile, canals, lakes or any natural water. Released pet turtles harm native wildlife and rarely survive well. If you cannot keep your turtle, ask us about rehoming it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>What size tank does a turtle need?<\/strong><br \/>A common guide is about 15 liters of water per centimeter of shell length, planned for the adult size. The African sideneck needs roughly 340\u2013415 liters as an adult.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>Do turtles need a heat lamp and UVB?<\/strong><br \/>Yes. Basking heat helps digestion and keeps the shell dry, and UVB lets the turtle absorb calcium for a healthy shell.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>What water temperature do turtles need?<\/strong><br \/>About 24\u201327\u00b0C for sliders and sidenecks, about 22\u201326\u00b0C for softshells, with a basking spot of about 32\u201335\u00b0C.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>How long do pet turtles live?<\/strong><br \/>Red-eared sliders 20\u201340 years, and African sidenecks up to 50 years with good care.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>Can turtles live with fish?<\/strong><br \/>Turtles usually eat or chase small fish, and their waste is hard on fish. A turtle-only tank is the safest choice.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>Can I keep two turtles together?<\/strong><br \/>It depends on the species and space. Many turtles become territorial, and the African sideneck is best kept alone.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>Is a softshell turtle good for beginners?<\/strong><br \/>It is more demanding than a slider: it needs soft sand, very clean water and a lot of space as it grows, and it can bite hard.\n<\/div>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Water to swim in, a warm dry place to bask, UVB light, strong filtration and a varied diet: give a turtle those five things and plan for the adult, and it can be with you for decades.<\/p>\n<h3>Recommended Products<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/50-cm-aquatic-turtle-tank-plastic-island-cover\/\">50 cm Aquatic Turtle Tank<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/aquanature-boshi-halogen-lamp-turtle\/\">Aquanature Boshi UVB+UVA Halogen Lamp<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/jeneca-lt600-external-hanging-filter\/\">Jeneca LT-600 Hang-On Filter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/xilong-l-399-stainless-steel-heater\/\">XiLong L-399 Stainless Steel Heater<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/long-aquarium-tweezers-20-cm\/\">20 cm Aquarium Tweezers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/seachem-safe\/\">Seachem Safe<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Related Articles<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/aquarium-filtration-guide-choosing-the-right-filter\/\">Aquarium Filtration Guide: Choosing the Right Filter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/aquarium-heater-guide-sizing-placement-safety\/\">Aquarium Heater Guide: Sizing, Placement, and Safety<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/how-often-should-you-change-aquarium-water-complete-guide\/\">How Often Should You Change Your Aquarium Water?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/water-parameters-101-testing-ph-ammonia-nitrite-nitrate\/\">Water Parameters 101: Testing pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/how-to-cool-your-aquarium-in-summer-heat\/\">How to Cool Your Aquarium in Summer Heat<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A small turtle in a bowl is how most pet turtle stories start, and how most go wrong. Aquatic turtles<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":47200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpai_generated_summary":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"mts_hero_image_prompt":"","mts_hero_image_alt":"","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[853],"tags":[1331,1323,1327,1337,1329,1325,1335,1333],"class_list":["post-47199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beginner-guides","tag-african-sideneck-turtle","tag-aquatic-turtles","tag-red-eared-slider","tag-reptiles","tag-softshell-turtle","tag-turtle-care","tag-turtle-tank","tag-uvb-lighting"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/aquatic-turtle-care-guide-hero.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/298"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47199"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47210,"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47199\/revisions\/47210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}