Black marsh turtle (Siebenrockiella crassicollis)

Short answers

Black marsh turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm aquarium (stays small), plenty of water depth, densely planted.

Black marsh turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C (water), basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Black marsh turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (does not bask much; Ferguson zone 1–2).

Black marsh turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: probably 20–30+ years (little documented).

Black marsh turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C (water)

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

30–33 °C

Humidity

— (aquatic)

UVB

UVB recommended (does not bask much; Ferguson zone 1–2)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm aquarium (stays small), plenty of water depth, densely planted

Substrate

Sand or fine gravel, dense planting; calm, still water

Feeding

Food

An omnivore with a carnivorous bias: snails, fish, aquatic insects, worms; occasionally fruit or water plants

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

15–17 cm, max. up to 20 cm

Life expectancy

probably 20–30+ years (little documented)

Origin

South-East Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – registration required, proof of origin needed. IUCN: Endangered; protected for some years now and hardly legally obtainable.

Brumation

No true winter dormancy (tropical); in winter a slight drop to room temperature is enough.

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is recommended; it can be bitey or territorial. A pair or group only in large enclosures with a visual screen and supervision; do not keep males together.

Notes

A strongly aquatic species of still waters; it dives more than it basks. It needs very good water quality. Rare in the trade, and usually only through specialised keepers. The temperatures follow its origin (the Penang/Malaysia weather station).

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Annam leaf turtle (Mauremys annamensis) – Intermediate
• Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) – Intermediate
• Chinese striped-neck turtle (Mauremys sinensis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii) – Beginner
• Spiny turtle (Heosemys spinosa) – Expert
• Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) – Intermediate
• Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) – Intermediate
• Japanese pond turtle (Mauremys japonica) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black marsh turtle (Siebenrockiella crassicollis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm aquarium (stays small), plenty of water depth, densely planted), substrate (Sand or fine gravel, dense planting; calm, still water), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.