Are you mesmerized by sea turtles? Wish you could own one? Well the closest thing possible to owning a sea turtle is the fascinating Fly River Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) also known as the pig-nosed turtle. Like their name states, they have a nose that looks like a pig snout. They, like sea turtles, have flippers rather than clawed feet. They do not have a hard carapace but rather leathery flesh that resembles a softshell turtle. These turtles have a range in colors from smokey gray to light brown, with white undersides, and sometimes with white streaks through their shells. When they are born they are very small but can grow to a whopping 22″! They are fully aquatic and can make a great addition to an aquarium.

Fly Rivers are found in the wild in New Guinea and northernmost Australia. There are also wild populations being found in Indonesia where they are also captive bred. There have been a couple of successful captive breeding projects in the US as well.

A typical diet for a baby or juvenile Fly River includes algae wafers and carnivore pellets. Reptomin can also be used in addition to the wafers and pellets. As they get larger, fruits and greens can be introduced into their diet. Personally, we have found banana to be a favorite. They also enjoy strawberries, cantaloupe, and grapes. As far as greens, romaine is a healthy choice although they enjoy most any aquatic plant. They tend to stay towards the bottom of their enclosure and welcome food that sinks to the bottom.

Fly Rivers are known to be aggressive to other Fly Rivers and may sometimes eat small fish that reside in the aquarium. However, there are cases of 2 or more living together peacefully as well as with various fish. It is best to ensure you provide the largest aquarium possible in order to avoid aggression problems.

Water quality is of the utmost importance with this species. Because they lack a hard carapace, they are more susceptible to fungus and flesh wounds. To avoid these problems, it is necessary to keep the pH in the tank steady and the water as clear as possible. The pH can better be kept at a proper level (around 7-7.5) by using crushed coral gravel which is found in their natural habitat and/or natural water plants. You will want to use a filter as well. Either a submersible or a hanging filter will work although canister filters tend to work best. Fly Rivers also require that their water temperature be between 80-90°F, so it is usually necessary to use a submersible water heater to obtain this constant warmth. Another note to be made is that you may find it useful to add water conditioner and Melifix in very small doses to the water to prevent fungus when performing water changes.