Mary River Turtle Care
CARING FOR AUSTRALIAN FRESHWATER
TURTLES IN CAPTIVITY
Mary River Turtle Care Sheet
(Elusor macrurus)
π’ Habitat & Enclosure
Tank Size:
Minimum 5ft x 2ft x 2ft (As Adults) (120cm x 60cm x 60cm) aquarium or larger. Juveniles can start in a smaller tank but will need an upgrade as they grow.
Water Depth:Β
Provide a minimum 30β40cm depth to allow free swimming. Turtles should be able to reach the surface easily. Juveniles turtles should have no more than 30cm to allow them to easily reach the surface
Basking Area:
Provide a dry dock with UVB lighting and heat lamp (30β32Β°C basking spot). Use rocks, driftwood or commercial turtle docks.
π§ Water Quality
Filtration:Β
Strong canister filter recommended (turtles are messy). Work on the filter having an output of 5 times the water volume. Eg. If you have 200 Litres of water use a canister filter that has rating of at least 1000 L/pH
Water Temperature:Β
MaintainΒ 26Β°C all year round using an aquarium heater with a heater guard.
Water Testing:
Test for ammonia, nitrite, gh/kh, nitrate, Ph and salinity β regular water changes are crucial. We have lots of suitable test kits for turtles available
Turtle Salt:
Add turtle-safe salt at 1g per litre to prevent shell rot and maintain osmotic balance. Be sure to regularly test the salinity to ensure salt levels don't get too high or low. Turtle Salinity Test Kits are available at our store
Calgrit:
Use Calgrit in the substrate (mixed with fine sand) to buffer pH and maintain calcium levels in the water β supports healthy shell and bone growth.
βοΈ Lighting
UVB Lighting: Essential for calcium metabolism and preventing metabolic bone disease. Use a 10.0 UVB bulb, replaced every 6β12 months. It is best to cover the entire length of the tank and use of a Water Resistant UVB Light Fixture is recommended. We have Combination Turtle UVB Kits available. We do not recommend the use of cheap Chinese UVB lights as these can be harmful to your turtle. We only use and recommend Arcadia, Zoo Med and Exo TerraΒ
Basking Area: Essential to encourage turtles to leave the water and dry themselves. The dry/dock area will require a heat lamp dome and basking globe to achieve a temperature of 30-32 degrees. The Exo Terra Swamp Glo are a great option as they are a splash proof globe. Wattage will depend on how large your tank is and how far from the basking area it will be positioned.
Photoperiod: 10β12 hours of daylight.
π Feeding
Diet: Offer a varied diet including:
-Commercial turtle pellets e.g. Nutrafin and or or Exo Terra
-Fresh fish, Earthworms, shrimp, yabbies
-Live Aquatic Plants such as Elodea and Vallisnerea should be at least 50% of their diet
-Full list of suitable Turtle Foods available here
Feeding Frequency: Juveniles daily; adults 2-3 times per week.
π’ Substrate for Turtle Tanks
Choosing the right substrate is important for the health and safety of your turtle.
We recommend using fine river sand as the best substrate for most Australian aquatic turtles. River sand allows turtles to dig and forage naturally and is easy to keep clean.
Gravel is not advised β many turtles will accidentally swallow small gravel pieces while feeding or digging, which can cause dangerous blockages and health problems. 3mm is the absolute maximum size diameter of substrate recommended.
To support strong shell health and water quality, mix river sand with Calgrit. Calgrit is a natural calcium source that slowly releases calcium carbonate, helping to maintain the correct pH and calcium levels in your turtle tank.
We make it easy β just use our Substrate Calculator to work out exactly how much river sand and Calgrit you need for your tank!
π’ Handling & Health
Handle minimally β stress can lead to illness.
Regularly check for signs of:
- Shell rot (soft patches, discolouration)
- Eye swelling (may indicate poor water quality)
- Lethargy or loss of appetite
π’ Using Calgrit and Turtle Salt β Why It Matters
β
Calgrit:
Eastern Long Neck Turtles require calcium for healthy shell and bone development. Calgrit provides a slow-release calcium source and helps stabilise tank pH, particularly important when using soft tap water. Use our Calgrit Calculator to work out how much you need for your tank.
β
Turtle Salt:
Adding turtle-specific salt promotes skin and shell health, prevents infections (e.g. shell rot and skin infections), and supports overall vitality. It also helps compensate for the lack of natural mineral salts in tap water.
π Summary Checklist
Large tank with strong filtration
UVB & heat lighting
Clean water (test weekly)
Calgrit in substrate
Turtle salt added to water
Varied diet with calcium source
Regular health checks
With proper care, Mary River Turtles s can live 50 plus years, making them a rewarding long-term pet for dedicated keepers.
