The Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii macquarii) is a hardy, active short-necked turtle from the Murray-Darling river system. Curious, personable and genuinely engaging, they become recognisable to their keeper over time and are a rewarding long-term animal to keep. Adults can easily reach 25 to 30 cm in shell length and can live well over 50 years with proper care.
That lifespan is worth sitting with before purchasing. A Murray River Turtle bought today may still be in your family in the 2070s. This is one of the longest-lived reptiles kept in Australian homes and the commitment should be taken seriously.
A wildlife keeper's licence is required in Queensland. See our Queensland Reptile Licence Guide.
Before You Set Up
Have the aquarium fully set up, cycled, and running at correct temperature before the turtle arrives. Turtles produce a heavy waste load, so the biological filter (the colony of beneficial bacteria that processes waste) must be established before the animal enters the tank. An uncycled tank will have ammonia spikes that cause serious health issues. Set up first, then buy the turtle.
Aquarium and Setup
Adults need a minimum tank of 150 x 60 x 60 cm (5 ft), and larger is always better. Fill the tank to roughly two-thirds depth, allowing a good swimming column of at least 30 to 40 cm while still keeping the surface reachable. Juveniles can start in a smaller tank but should be upsized as they grow. Keep juvenile water depth shallower (around 20 to 25 cm) so they can reach the surface without exhaustion.
A dry basking dock or platform is essential. The turtle must be able to climb completely out of the water to dry off and thermoregulate under the basking lamp. Use a gentle, non-abrasive ramp to protect the plastron (the underside shell). The basking area should be stable and sized appropriately for the animal.
Substrate: fine river sand mixed with Calgrit (calcium-enriched gravel that buffers pH and provides calcium) works well. Avoid coarse gravel or sharp substrate.
Browse our aquariums and tank stands.
Water Quality
Water quality is the single most important factor in turtle health. Turtles are messy and produce significant waste. Poor water causes shell rot, skin infections, and respiratory disease.
- Filtration: use a canister filter rated for at least 3 to 5 times the tank volume and load it with quality biomedia to build up a large population of beneficial bacteria. A filter that seems powerful enough for a fish tank is usually underpowered for a turtle tank.
- Water temperature: 24 to 26°C, maintained with a guarded heater.
- pH: 7.2 to 7.6.
- Ammonia and nitrite: 0 ppm at all times.
- Turtle salt: add approximately 1 gram per litre to the water to help prevent bacterial and fungal shell infections. Use a dedicated reptile or turtle salt product.
- Dechlorinate every water change with a quality conditioner. Tap water chlorine and chloramine are harmful to the biological filter as well as the turtle.
- Perform partial water changes regularly (typically 20 to 30% weekly) and test water parameters routinely.
Browse our filtration range, heaters, water test kits and water treatments.
UVB Lighting
UVB is non-negotiable for Australian freshwater turtles. Without it, they cannot produce vitamin D3, cannot absorb calcium, and will develop softening of the shell and metabolic bone disease over time. This is a preventable condition that is unfortunately common in turtles kept without proper lighting.
Use a high-output T5 UVB tube (10.0 or equivalent) positioned over the basking area and run for 10 to 12 hours per day. Replace the tube every 6 to 12 months: output drops well before the light stops producing visible light. Natural unfiltered sunlight on warm days provides excellent supplementary exposure. Always provide shade when the turtle is in natural sunlight.
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Heating
Two separate heat sources are needed: a water heater for the aquarium and a basking lamp over the dock.
- Water temperature: 24 to 26°C
- Basking surface temperature: 30 to 32°C
Both heat sources should be thermostatically controlled and verified with thermometers. Browse our heater range and reptile heating and thermostat range.
Diet
Murray River Turtles are omnivores, and adults lean significantly toward plant matter. A healthy adult diet should be roughly 50% aquatic plants and 50% animal protein, while juveniles benefit from a higher protein ratio to support growth.
Plant matter
Live aquatic plants such as Elodea and Vallisneria are ideal and serve double duty as food and environmental enrichment. Blanched green vegetables can supplement live plants.
Animal protein
Offer quality turtle pellets as a staple, supplemented with whole small prey items such as earthworms, feeder shrimp, small fish, and yabbies.
Feeding schedule
- Juveniles: daily.
- Adults: 2 to 3 times per week.
Remove uneaten food promptly to protect water quality. Browse our turtle food range.
Health and Handling
Handle turtles as little as possible and support the whole body when you do. Turtles are aquatic animals and handling is stressful for them. Watch for early warning signs of health issues: a soft or discoloured shell, swollen or closed eyes, refusing food for extended periods, or excessive time spent basking. These symptoms usually point to water quality, temperature, or UVB problems.
Always wash hands after handling.
Quick Reference
| Parameter | Target |
|---|---|
| Adult shell length | 25 to 30 cm |
| Lifespan | 50+ years |
| Tank size (adult) | 150 x 60 x 60 cm minimum |
| Water temperature | 24 to 26°C |
| Basking temperature | 30 to 32°C |
| pH | 7.2 to 7.6 |
| UVB | T5 10.0, 10 to 12 hrs/day, replace every 6 to 12 months |
| Turtle salt | 1 g per litre |
| Adult diet | ~50% aquatic plants, ~50% animal protein |
| Feeding (adults) | 2 to 3 times per week |
Shop
- Aquariums and Stands
- Filtration
- UVB Lighting
- Aquarium Heaters
- Reptile Heating and Thermostats
- Water Test Kits
- Water Treatments
- Turtle Food and Supplements
If you have questions about setting up a turtle aquarium, our team is always happy to help.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Individual animals vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Always consult a qualified reptile vet for health concerns. A Queensland wildlife keeper's licence is required to purchase and keep Murray River Turtles.
