A single adult musk turtle needs a tank of at least 20 to 30 gallons (76–114 L), and 40 gallons (150 L) or more is better if you have the room. A pair needs about 40 to 60 gallons (150–227 L). Because musk turtles walk along the bottom rather than swim laps, a long, low tank with fairly shallow water suits them better than a tall one.
Musk turtles are one of the smallest pet turtles. Most adults have a shell of about 4 to 5 inches (10–13 cm), so their tank stays far smaller than a slider’s. They’re also long-lived: care sheets give 30 to 50 years, so it pays to get the setup right once.
What size tank does a musk turtle need?
The care sheets don’t agree on one number, so here’s what each recommends for the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), the species most pet stores sell:
| Source | One adult | A pair |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Buhlmann, Reptiles Magazine | 20 gallons (76 L) | 40 gallons (150 L) |
| Yarmouth Veterinary Center care sheet | At least 30 gallons (114 L) | 40–60 gallons (150–227 L) |
| General aquatic turtle rule (ReptiFiles, VCA) | 10 gallons (38 L) of water per inch of shell, so about 45 gallons (170 L) for a 4.5-inch turtle | Add at least 50% per extra turtle |
The 20-gallon figure comes from a herpetologist who kept an adult in a 20-gallon long tank, and it works for a small common musk turtle. The vet clinic’s 30 gallons gives more room for décor, a basking spot and cleaner water. The 10-gallons-per-inch rule is written for aquatic turtles in general, mostly sliders, and it lands higher.
A good way to read the table: treat 20 gallons as the floor, 30 gallons as a comfortable home, and anything bigger as a bonus. More water also dilutes waste, which matters because musk turtles are messy for their size.
Does tank shape matter?
Yes. Musk turtles spend most of their time on the bottom. Animal Diversity Web calls them bottom walkers, and the Missouri Department of Conservation notes that wild ones prefer to crawl along the bottom in shallow water. That makes floor space more useful than height. Pick a “long” tank over a “tall” one of the same volume, and give them plenty of décor to clamber over.
How big do the different musk turtles get?
Size your tank by your turtle’s actual shell length. The three species you’re most likely to see:
| Species | Typical adult shell length |
|---|---|
| Common musk turtle (stinkpot) | 4–5 in (10–13 cm); rarely up to 6 in (15 cm) |
| Razorback musk turtle | 4–4.6 in (10–12 cm) |
| Loggerhead musk turtle | 3–4.5 in (7.5–11.5 cm) |
Figures are from Animal Diversity Web and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Some care sheets list the larger species at up to 6 inches (15 cm), so if your turtle is on the big side, go up a tank size.
How deep should the water be for a musk turtle?
Deep enough to swim, shallow enough that your turtle can stand on the bottom and stretch its neck up to breathe. That’s the rule Buhlmann and the Tortoise Trust both give: the hind legs touch the bottom while the head reaches the surface, without constant paddling. The Yarmouth Veterinary Center puts it at roughly the turtle’s shell length or width.
In practice that’s shallower than most people expect:
- Hatchlings (about 1 inch, or 2.5 cm): water only a little deeper than the shell, with plants or branches reaching the surface.
- Juveniles: raise the level as the shell grows, keeping that “stand and breathe” rule.
- Adults: Buhlmann kept an adult in about 8 inches (20 cm) of water, with plenty of climbing structure.
Sources differ on how well musk turtles swim. The Tortoise Trust article calls them accomplished swimmers, while Buhlmann says they aren’t strong swimmers and need places to rest at the surface and throughout the water. Either way, the fix is the same: fill the tank with branches, driftwood and plants that reach from the bottom to near the surface, so your turtle can climb up for air whenever it wants.
Can two musk turtles live together?
They can, with more space and the right pairing. Buhlmann suggests 40 gallons (150 L) for a pair, and the Yarmouth Veterinary Center 40 to 60 gallons. Neither goes beyond a pair: the vet clinic describes musk turtles as generally kept alone or in pairs, and warns against overcrowding.
- Avoid two males. Buhlmann doesn’t recommend it, as males can get cranky with each other.
- A male and female can work, but watch spring. A male may harass a female during the mating season, and some pairs have to be split up.
- Have a backup tank ready. If you see biting, chasing or one turtle kept away from food, separate them.
A single musk turtle won’t be lonely. For more on pairing turtles, see can two turtles live together.
Musk turtle tank setup checklist
Here’s what a musk turtle tank needs, with the numbers the care sheets give:
| Item | What to aim for |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | 72–80°F (22–27°C) for adults; Yarmouth suggests 80–85°F (27–29°C) for juveniles |
| Heater | A submersible heater, ideally with a guard |
| Basking spot | About 90°F (32°C), with the air above the tank in the mid-80s°F (about 29°C) |
| Basking platform | A low floating dock or haul-out, even though musk turtles rarely use it |
| UVB | A UVB bulb over the basking spot, on a 12-hour cycle |
| Filter | A canister or strong internal filter; Yarmouth suggests one rated for twice the tank volume |
| Substrate | Bare bottom is easiest; sources are split on gravel |
| Décor | Driftwood, branches, plants and hides, from the bottom up to the surface |
| Water | Dechlorinated |
A few notes on the parts where sources disagree:
- Basking and UVB. Musk turtles bask far less than sliders. The Tortoise Trust article says they’ve been kept without UVB, but both Buhlmann and the Yarmouth Veterinary Center call UVB necessary for calcium use. Providing a basking spot and UVB is the safer choice, even if your turtle only visits now and then. Keep the platform low: the vet clinic notes that musk turtles aren’t strong climbers. For timing, see how long turtle lights should be on and how often to replace a UVB bulb.
- Gravel. Buhlmann and the Tortoise Trust author both used small gravel or smooth stones. The Yarmouth Veterinary Center prefers a bare bottom or fine sand, because gravel can be swallowed. A bare bottom is also the easiest to keep clean.
- Caves and snags. Buhlmann warns that rock caves and tangled branches can wedge a turtle under water. Make sure every hide is open enough that your turtle can always turn around and get out.
Keeping a musk turtle tank clean
Musk turtles produce a lot of waste for their size. The Yarmouth Veterinary Center suggests skimming uneaten food and waste daily and changing 25–50% of the water every week, and recommends feeding in a separate container to keep the tank cleaner. Our guides on how often to change turtle water and how often to clean a turtle filter walk through both jobs step by step. A reminder app like ShellPal can keep the weekly water change and monthly filter rinse on schedule.
The short version
Give one adult musk turtle at least 20 gallons, ideally 30 to 40, and a pair 40 to 60. Choose a long tank, keep the water shallow enough that your turtle can stand and reach the surface, and fill it with branches and plants to climb. Add a heater, a low basking spot with UVB, and a filter rated well above the tank size, and avoid housing two males together.
Sources
- Common musk turtle care sheet (Kurt A. Buhlmann, Reptiles Magazine)
- Common musk turtle care and information (Kurt Buhlmann, Reptiles Magazine)
- Musk turtle care sheet (Yarmouth Veterinary Center)
- Sternotherus odoratus: the common musk turtle (Nadine K. Gill, Tortoise Trust)
- Housing aquatic turtles (VCA Animal Hospitals)
- Red-eared slider enclosure size and cohabitation guide (ReptiFiles)
- Sternotherus odoratus, common musk turtle (Animal Diversity Web)
- Sternotherus carinatus, razorback musk turtle (Animal Diversity Web)
- Sternotherus minor, loggerhead musk turtle (Animal Diversity Web)
- Eastern musk turtle field guide (Missouri Department of Conservation)