Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle

About

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is one of the more unusual animals to show up in the freshwater hobby, and it's immediately recognizable by its flexible, leathery carapace in place of the hard shell most people picture when they think of turtles. The snout is elongated and tube-like, functioning as a natural snorkel that lets the animal breathe while barely surfacing. Native to a broad sweep of East and Southeast Asia, including much of China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and parts of Indonesia and the Philippines, this species turns up in rivers, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving waterways across the region. It has also been widely farmed across Asia for food, which has contributed to its spread beyond its original range. In the aquarium, it needs a sandy substrate to bury itself, which is a natural resting and ambush behavior, so skimping on that detail will make for a stressed animal. Despite being labeled beginner-appropriate in terms of water parameter tolerance, potential keepers should know this turtle can be nippy and grows into a capable predator. It is best housed alone or with tank mates large enough to avoid becoming a meal. With proper setup, it can live well over a decade.