The eastern long neck turtle (Chelodina longicollis) is a fascinating, hardy native species that can thrive for decades in captivity - often living 50 years or more.
Habitat & enclosure
Provide a minimum 4ft x 2ft x 2ft (120 x 60 x 60cm) aquarium for adults, larger if possible; juveniles can start smaller and be upsized. Allow a water depth of at least 30-40cm so the turtle can swim freely while still reaching the surface easily - keep juveniles in shallower water (no more than about 30cm). Provide a dry basking dock with a heat lamp (30-32C basking spot) and UVB.
Water quality
Use a strong canister filter (around five times the water volume) and keep the water around 22-24C year-round with a guarded heater. Test regularly for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, hardness and salinity, and change water routinely. Add turtle salt at about 1g per litre and use Calgrit in the substrate to prevent shell rot, buffer pH and maintain calcium.
Lighting
UVB is essential - use a quality 10.0 UVB across the tank, replaced every 6-12 months, on a 10-12 hour cycle, plus a basking globe to reach 30-32C on the dock.
Feeding & substrate
Offer a varied diet of turtle pellets, fresh fish, earthworms, shrimp and yabbies - juveniles daily, adults 2-3 times a week. Use fine river sand (mixed with Calgrit) rather than gravel, which can be swallowed.
Health
Handle minimally and watch for shell rot, swollen eyes and loss of appetite. In Queensland a wildlife licence is required to keep freshwater turtles.
The team at Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium can help with tanks, filtration and lighting.
Recommended products
Find everything for your turtle at Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium: tanks & stands, filtration, UVB lighting, heaters, water test kits and turtle food. A reptile licence is required in Queensland - see our QLD reptile licence guide.
