Complete Care Guide for Chinese Softshell Turtles | Housing, Feeding, and Hibernation Management for Soft-Shelled Turtles
A complete guide for keeping Chinese softshell turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) as pets. From proper sandy substrate environments and carnivorous feeding methods to water quality management and safe hibernation induction, this guide clearly explains all the knowledge necessary for long-term care of soft-shelled turtles, written for beginners.
Key Takeaways
A complete guide for keeping Chinese softshell turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) as pets. From proper sandy substrate environments and carnivorous feeding methods to water quality management and safe hibernation induction, this guide clearly explains all the knowledge necessary for long-term care of soft-shelled turtles, written for beginners.
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The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an East Asian soft-shelled turtle characterized by its unique appearance, lacking a hard carapace and instead featuring soft, leather-like armor. Historically utilized for food and medicinal purposes, in recent years its popularity as a pet has grown, with more enthusiasts acquiring hatchlings from breeders for care. This article provides detailed explanations of environment setup, feeding, hibernation management, and health care necessary for long-term pet care of Chinese softshell turtles.
Characteristics of Chinese Softshell Turtles and Difficulty Level
Basic Information
Item
Details
Scientific Name
Pelodiscus sinensis
Adult Size
Carapace length 20–35cm (up to 40cm or more)
Lifespan
20–30 years (with proper care)
Care Difficulty
Intermediate (long neck, agile, bites)
Legal Restrictions
None (pet keeping allowed)
Once Chinese softshell turtles exceed 20cm in carapace length, they develop powerful jaws with strong biting force. When handling, care must be taken by holding the rear portion of the shell while keeping the head away, or by using specialized tongs.
Differences from Other Aquatic Turtles
Unlike typical aquatic turtles (red-eared sliders, Chinese water turtles, etc.), Chinese softshell turtles have the following characteristics.
Soft shell: The carapace is leather-like and soft, easily damaged
Long neck: The neck is extremely long, specialized for ambush predation in water
Burrowing behavior: Has a habit of burrowing into bottom substrate or mud, requiring appropriate bedding
Supplemental lung respiration: Performs "cutaneous respiration" by absorbing oxygen through skin and throat mucous membranes
Aggressive: Adult specimens bite with enough force to fracture human fingers
Setting Up the Enclosure
Choosing a Tank or Enclosure
Chinese softshell turtles require less vertical movement than horizontal movement, making a tank with emphasis on floor space more suitable.
Recommended tank sizes (for adults):
Carapace length 20cm or less: 60–90cm tank (120L or more)
Carapace length 20–30cm: 90–120cm tank (200L or more)
Plastic containers (toro buckets) are also practical. For outdoor care, use large plastic containers (300–600L) and ensure escape prevention with fencing.
Substrate Selection
Chinese softshell turtles have a burrowing habit, so place fine river sand or black sand with a grain size of 2–5mm at a depth of 5–10cm. A bare bottom tank without substrate causes damage to the shell and increases stress.
Water Depth and Basking Area
Chinese softshell turtles breathe with their lungs, but also perform supplemental cutaneous respiration, allowing them to spend long periods in burrows without surfacing.
Water depth: 1–1.5 times the carapace length (overly deep water can cause drowning in some individuals)
Basking area: A basking area for sunbathing is necessary. Provide a ramp-like entrance/exit
Escape prevention: Chinese softshell turtles can climb tank walls, so always install a tank cover
Water Temperature and Lighting
The ideal water temperature for Chinese softshell turtles is 22–28°C. Manage temperature with a thermometer and aquarium heater.
Basking lamp: Create a hot spot of 30–35°C on the basking area
UVB lighting: Not essential but aids vitamin D3 synthesis. Unnecessary for outdoor-raised turtles
Sunbathing: In naturally lit environments, shell color and immune function improve
Feeding Methods and Nutritional Management
Diet
Chinese softshell turtles are obligate carnivores. In nature, they feed on fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and aquatic insects in water. The following foods are suitable in captivity.
Appropriate staple foods:
Frozen killifish, bitterling (thaw before feeding)
Frozen loach, goby
Krill (dried shrimp)
Turtle pellets (Reptomin, etc.)
Supplemental foods:
Pork or chicken liver (approximately once weekly)
Earthworms, crickets (protein supplementation)
Shrimp shells (calcium supplementation)
Adaptation to pellet foods varies by individual turtle. Initially, confirm appetite with live or frozen-thawed foods, then gradually mix in pellets for best results.
Feeding Frequency and Amount
Water Temperature
Feeding Frequency
25–28°C
3–4 times weekly
20–25°C
2–3 times weekly
15–20°C
1–2 times weekly
15°C or below
No feeding
As a guideline for portion size, provide an amount the turtle can consume within 10–15 minutes. Remove any uneaten food immediately, as leftovers cause water quality deterioration.
Water Quality Management
Chinese softshell turtles eat and excrete heavily, causing rapid water degradation.
Water change frequency: Partial water changes of 1/3 to 1/2 twice to three times weekly
Filtration: External filters or undergravel filters are effective
pH range: 6.5–8.0
Substrate cleaning: Remove waste with a siphon hose at least once weekly
Priority Guide When Uncertain About Chinese Softshell Turtle Food
If uncertain what to feed your Chinese softshell turtle, try in the following order.
Frozen whole-fish foods such as killifish or loach (best feeding response)
Krill (dried shrimp) or frozen shrimp
Turtle pellets (can become the staple diet with acclimation)
Supplementary items such as liver, earthworms, and shrimp shells for calcium supplementation
When a turtle refuses food, first check water temperature (22–28°C) and water quality, then offer foods closest to live prey as a basic approach.
Hibernation Management
Heated and Unheated Hibernation
Chinese softshell turtles enter hibernation and become inactive below 10°C.
Heated hibernation (recommended):
Maintain water temperature above 20°C with a heater, allowing continuous year-round activity
Faster growth and easier health management
Safer for first-year hatchlings or individuals with compromised health
Natural hibernation (outdoor or unheated):
Gradually lower water temperature after October to induce hibernation
Allow the turtle to burrow in bottom substrate, maintaining a non-freezing temperature (around 5°C)
No feeding or minimal water changes during hibernation
Natural activity resumes when water temperature exceeds 15°C in late March to April
Hibernation Failure Risk
Low-weight individuals, sick specimens, and hatchlings risk mortality during hibernation. Weight measurement before hibernation (confirming adequate autumn feeding) and regular condition checks are important.
Health Management and Common Illnesses
Shell Damage and Deformities
The soft shell is easily damaged; be cautious of injuries from tank mates or sharp decorations. Shell wounds serve as entry points for aquatic bacteria, so disinfect with a salt bath (0.3–0.5% concentration), and consult a veterinarian for severe cases.
Anorexia
Chinese softshell turtles may stop eating due to environmental changes or water quality deterioration. After addressing the cause, stimulate appetite with preferred live foods.
Eye Disease
Water quality degradation, UV deficiency, or malnutrition cause cloudy or swollen eyes. Increase water change frequency, introduce UVB lighting, or provide weekly natural sunbathing.
Summary
Chinese softshell turtles are fascinating soft-shelled turtles with strong personality and longevity. By maintaining three key elements—a properly prepared sandy substrate environment, quality carnivorous food, and clean water—20 to 30 years of long-term care is possible. While handling requires experience, their unique underwater movements and dramatic feeding scenes offer an intensity unmatched by other pet reptiles. When acquiring hatchlings from breeders, selecting individuals with undamaged or undeformed shells and strong feeding response is the first step to successful long-term care.
