Abn soft-shelled turtle

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Amyda cartilaginea (commonly traded as Asian Soft-Shelled Turtle)

• Common Name: Asian Soft-Shelled Turtle, Southeast Asian Softshell Turtle, ABN Soft-Shelled Turtle.

• Adult Size: Approximately 20–33 inches (50–85 cm) in shell length; exceptionally large specimens may approach 100 cm.

• Life Expectancy: Several decades with appropriate care; exact lifespan in captivity is not well established.

• Habitat:

  • Native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and surrounding regions.

  • Found in freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps and ponds.

  • Prefers muddy or sandy bottoms where it can bury itself.

  • Usually inhabits warm freshwater environments with plenty of hiding areas.

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 150–200 gallons (570–757 litres) for juveniles; very large custom aquatic enclosures are necessary for adults.

• Ideal Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C).

• pH Range: 6.5–8.0.

• Water Hardness: Approximately 3–15 dGH.

• Temperament: Predatory, territorial and potentially aggressive.

  • Generally best maintained individually.

  • Avoid housing with smaller fish, turtles or other vulnerable aquatic animals.

  • Provide a deep, soft sand or fine-mud substrate for natural burrowing.

  • Excellent filtration and regular water changes are essential.

  • Provide suitable basking and resting areas.

Diet & Nutrition

Carnivorous / Opportunistic Omnivore

A balanced diet should include:

• High-quality aquatic turtle pellets.

• Fish and small whole fish.

• Freshwater shrimp and prawns.

• Earthworms and other suitable worms.

• Insects and insect larvae.

• Occasional aquatic invertebrates and molluscs.

Important: This species is primarily carnivorous and prefers animal-based foods. Provide a varied diet with appropriate calcium and vitamin supplementation.

Breeding & Spawning

• Egg-layer: Reproduces through internal fertilisation.

• Females leave the water to construct nests in suitable sandy or soft soil.

• Clutch size can range from approximately 3–28 eggs.

• Females may produce multiple clutches during a breeding season.

• Incubation can take approximately 2–4.5 months, depending on environmental conditions.

• Hatchlings require shallow, clean water, suitable hiding places and appropriately sized foods.

Appearance

• Body Shape: Broad, flattened and oval-shaped body.

• Shell: Soft, leathery carapace without the hard individual scutes found on typical turtles.

• Colour: Olive, grey, greenish-brown or dark brown.

• Head: Broad head with a long, flexible neck.

• Nose: Distinctive elongated, snorkel-like snout with nostrils at the tip.

• Limbs: Strong webbed feet with sharp claws.

• Juveniles: Often display attractive yellow spots and markings across the head, neck and shell.

Distinctive Features

• Unique soft, leathery shell instead of a hard bony-looking shell.

• Excellent swimmer with powerful webbed feet.

• Can bury itself almost completely in sand or mud.

• Uses its elongated snout to breathe while remaining submerged.

• Ambush predator with excellent underwater hunting abilities.

• Primarily aquatic and spends most of its time underwater.

• Can deliver a powerful bite and should be handled with extreme care.

• Requires spacious specialist aquatic housing.

Special Note: The Asiatic Softshell Turtle (Amyda cartilaginea) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is included in CITES Appendix II. Always verify legal importation, documentation and captive-bred sourcing before purchase. This species grows very large and is not suitable for ordinary home aquariums.