The money turtle, also known as the three-line shell turtle, broken plate turtle, red belly turtle, or gold head turtle, is a rare and highly valued species. Its meat is considered delicious and has significant culinary and medicinal value, making it a sought-after export product. As a freshwater turtle, it holds great potential for aquaculture development. Below are the key farming techniques that can help ensure successful breeding and growth.
**1. Life Habits**
Money turtles prefer aquatic environments and tend to dive into water when startled. In captivity, they are usually active during the evening, feeding and moving around at night. They have a calm temperament, rarely biting or fighting with each other. It's common to see groups of two or three turtles sharing a single shelter, with up to seven or eight in one hole for extended periods.
As a cold-blooded animal, the money turtle hibernates from November to March of the following year, staying in burrows and remaining inactive. It becomes active again in April, with an ideal growth temperature ranging between 24°C and 32°C. When temperatures exceed 36°C, the turtle may become stressed; at 38°C, it enters dormancy, and at 45°C, it risks death by overheating. If the temperature drops below 10°C, it will begin hibernation, and if it falls below 4°C, there's a risk of "zombie" state, where the turtle becomes unresponsive but still alive.
**2. Feeding Behavior**
The money turtle is an omnivore, primarily consuming animal-based foods in the wild, such as insects, small arthropods, fish, shrimp, snails, and maggots. Occasionally, it also eats plant matter like stems and leaves. In captivity, it can be fed a variety of animal-based feeds, including quail, small fish, shrimp, snails, and livestock offal, along with plant-based options like rice, noodles, corn, and fruits. The daily food intake should be about 5% to 10% of its body weight.
Feeding activity is closely related to temperature. When the water temperature is below 20°C, the turtle hardly eats, but once it reaches 24°C, it becomes more active. The feeding frequency increases in summer and decreases in winter. The peak feeding season is typically from June to September. Most feeding occurs in the evening and continues until early morning.
**3. Growth Rate**
The money turtle grows relatively slowly, gaining approximately 100 grams per year. However, during the summer and autumn months, with adequate and high-quality feed, it can grow by 20–30 grams per month.
**4. Breeding Habits**
Money turtles typically mature at around five years old and are oviparous, with internal fertilization. Mating generally occurs in the fall, and egg-laying takes place the following summer. From September to October, when the temperature is between 20°C and 25°C, mature turtles begin mating in the late afternoon. In May of the next year, when the water warms to 25°C, females start laying eggs, continuing until the end of July. Each spawning session produces 2–4 eggs, and females may lay eggs 3–4 times a season.
Before laying eggs, the female selects a soft, shallow sand area or digs into the soil and grass to create a nest. After laying, she covers the eggs with her hind limbs or tail and compacts the area with her body. The eggs hatch naturally in about 50–80 days, but natural incubation is often unreliable due to environmental fluctuations, leading to low hatching rates. For better results, artificial incubation with controlled temperature (28–33°C) and humidity (80–85%) is recommended, which can result in hatching within 60–70 days.
**5. Farming Management**
For optimal care, money turtles should be raised in separate pools based on age and size. Newly hatched turtles are delicate and require indoor pools of 10–20 square meters with 10 cm of sand at the bottom. The pool should have a sloped area for resting and shallow water (20–30 cm) for swimming. A few young turtles can be kept in plastic basins for initial rearing. Their diet should consist of easily digestible, protein-rich foods like cooked egg yolk, small fish, and shrimp. Daily feeding should be around 3% of their body weight.
As they grow, they can be moved to larger ponds, either earthen or concrete, with areas ranging from 30–50 square meters. These ponds should include land areas for basking and shelters like fake caves or sand mounds. Water depth should be over 60 cm, and aquatic plants like water lilies or water hyacinths can be added for cover. A T-shaped wall should surround the pond to prevent escape. Stocking density is about 10 turtles per square meter for those under 50 grams and 3–5 for those over 100 grams.
Feeding should focus on animal-based feeds like fish, shrimp, and poultry offal, with daily portions equal to 4–5% of the turtle’s weight. Feed should be given regularly, ensuring all food is consumed to avoid waste and pollution.
**6. Environmental Needs**
Money turtles are sensitive to noise and dirt, preferring a quiet and clean environment. The water in the pond should be light green with a transparency of about 30 cm. Regular monitoring of water quality is essential, with frequent water changes to maintain a healthy habitat and encourage feeding.
By following these detailed farming practices, breeders can significantly improve the survival rate, growth, and overall health of money turtles, making them a viable and profitable species for aquaculture.
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