If you have been keeping turtles for a while now, you may have learned that one of the most important factors in the steady and healthy growth of turtles is their diet. The only way to prevent issues related to turtle growth and development, such as stunted growth or weak body structures in turtles is by supplementing their diet with essential vitamins and minerals.
Turtle breeding and keeping can turn out to be the most lucrative and enthusiastic activity to embark on if you do it right. By doing it right, we mean feeding them right. Naturally, turtles feed on plant-based products such as kales and cauliflower among others, proteins such as mealworms and crickets, and fruits such as berries, melons, and oranges. While these ensure that they are always well-fed, they are not the only components of a healthy turtle diet. You ought to consider commercial turtle foods that are packed with vitamins and supplements that are essential to their healthy growth and development throughout all their life stages.
The good thing is, the market is filled with a variety of turtle food options that you can choose from. Even so, we have narrowed down your options to the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food that is a common favorite among many turtle enthusiasts. In this write-up, we will look extensively into the specifications and features of the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food and how it meets your pets’ dietary needs.
Contents
- 1 Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food Review and Breakdown
- 2 Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food Specifications
- 3 Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food Features
- 4 Who is it best suited for?
- 5 Verdict: Should you get the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food?
- 6 Are there any alternatives to the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food?
- 7 Features of the alternative turtle food options
- 8 FAQs
Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food Review and Breakdown
Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food is a natural dietary component specifically formulated for your turtles. It comes in 3 protein levels and pellet sizes-that is hatchling, growth, and maintenance formulas. Each of the three types has been scientifically formulated to meet the specific dietary requirements of your aquatic turtles at every one of their life stages. If you have juvenile aquatic turtles in your tank, consider purchasing the hatchling formula because it is packed with more proteins to accommodate the rapid growth rates of turtles in their early stages of life. If you own older turtles, you are better off settling for the growth and maintenance formula that is well-manufactured to meet the dietary requirements of growing and adult aquatic turtles.
The pellets tend to stay together for a significant amount of time, so you won’t find too much residual mess left in your turtle tank. Also, their round shape makes it easier for your turtle to eat when they end up along the glass, compared to floating sticks which are slightly hard for a turtle beak to pry off the side without continually hitting the glass on your tank when he/she moves closer to the tank.
What we liked;
- Comes in an airtight package that maintains its integrity for a prolonged period
- Comes in 3 different protein levels to accommodate all the needs of your turtles at different stages of their growth
- It is packed with essential vitamins as such Vitamin A, E, D3, and B12
What we didn’t like;
- You cannot feed all your turtles in the same tank, especially if there are of different ages
- The food disintegrates over time and could leave the tank dirty
Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food Specifications
Item Description | Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food |
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Flavor | Natural/ Maintenance Formula |
Item Form | Pellets |
Age Range / Life Stage | All ages |
Nutritional Options | Essential protein, vitamins, fat, minerals, |
Health Consideration | The vitamin enriched pellets float for easy feeding, healthy shell development |
Breed Recommendation | All aquatic turtles |
Size and weight | 3.7 Pounds |
Availability |
Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food Features
Size, weight, and packaging
The Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food comes in storage-friendly and well-labeled packaging. The containers are airtight, so the food remains fresh for a long time, say up to 3 months, and the ingredients are well indicated on the label. The reseal feature is a great bonus as it ensures the food always remains dry.
Also, apart from the convenience, you can always choose from the 5 different sizes ranging from 6.5 oz to 50lb. That means that if you have one to three turtles, the smaller pack works just fine and if you have an entire herd the 50lb pack would be a recommendable option.
Nutritional Options and Health Considerations
Generally, your turtle has different dietary requirements from the time that they are hatching to when they attain full growth. To accommodate this, the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food comes in 3 protein levels. All the formulas feature about 25% of protein, which is the most important component for the growth and development of turtles. The formula also has an assortment of vitamins (D3, C, B12, and A) and folic acid alongside essential minerals such as zinc, calcium, and phosphorous that are important for steady turtle growth.
Easy to Digest and Well-Sized Pellets
The food pellets in the Zoo Med pack come in different convenient sizes that accommodate turtles of all sizes. Also, they float on the surface of the water, so your turtles can swim and feed on the top of your tank, which is thrilling to turtle enthusiasts. Other times, the pellets soak and become easier for your turtles to digest.
Who is it best suited for?
Remember that the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food comes in 3 different protein levels to accommodate turtle dietary needs at different life stages. Bearing this in mind, the hatchling formula is best suited for hatchling and juvenile turtles while the growth and maintenance formula is better for adult turtles.
Verdict: Should you get the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food?
Yes, you should. The Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Food is high in protein, which is an essential part of turtle diet especially when they are in their growing stages. Also, it is natural and not formulated with too many extra ingredients that your turtles may be avoiding. All in all, this specially formulated product keeps your turtle happy and his gut healthy.
Are there any alternatives to the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food?
Yes. You can consider purchasing the Fluker’s Buffet Blend Aquatic Food or the Tetra ReptoMin Floating Food Sticks.
Features of the alternative turtle food options
Item Description | Fluker’s Buffet Blend Aquatic Turtle Food | Tetra ReptoMin Floating Food Sticks |
---|---|---|
Flavor | Natural | Natural |
Item Form | Frozen, Pellets | Dry, Floating Sticks |
Age Range / Life Stage | All ages | All ages |
Nutritional Options | Essential protein, vitamins, fat, minerals, | Proteins, Essential Amino Acids, Vitamin C and Calcium |
Health Consideration | The vitamin enriched pellets float for easy feeding, healthy shell development | Easy to digest for all life stages and promotes healthy bone and shell growth |
Breed Recommendation | Small Breeds | Small Breeds |
Size and weight | 7.5 oz. | 10.59 oz. |
Availability |
FAQs
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Do you need to refrigerate the Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food after opening?
No, you do not need to refrigerate it. All you need to do is store it in a cool dry place and in an airtight container to keep it fresh for a long time.
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Does this food sink eventually?
Yes, it does. The pellets float for a little while, but once it begins to soak in water it will sink to the bottom of the tank. However, you need to continually clean your tank to remove any residue that would dirty the water.