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Species profile · Carettochelyidae

Carettochelys insculpta

Complete care sheet and morph genetics registry for the pig-nosed turtle — husbandry parameters, diet, breeding and pairing calculator.

Fly River TurtlePitted-shelled TurtleTortue à nez de cochonNeuguinea-WeichschildkröteFreshwater Sea Turtle (Nickname)
Adult size
45–55 cm
Lifespan
30–50 yrs
Difficulty
Expert
Temperament
Diurnal
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Oviparous
01

Husbandry requirements

Pig-nosed turtle — origin: Southern New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua) and northern Australia (Northern Territory). Tropical rivers, lagoons and estuaries..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min26 °C
Cool side26–28 °C
Warm side28–31 °C

WATER temperatures (a fully aquatic tropical species). Keep the water between 26 and 31 °C, with a shallow thermal gradient. Unlike other freshwater turtles, it almost never basks out of the water: no true basking hot spot is needed.

Enclosure (adult)
300 × 150 × 80 cm

Large freshwater aquarium or pool, fully aquatic environment

Minimum dimensions for ONE adult; the species prefers a very large pool (ideally several metres) with good water depth (a powerful, pelagic swimmer). Oversized filtration and water movement are essential. Keep strictly solitary (intraspecific aggression). Protected species (CITES Appendix II).

Humidity
90–100 %

Not relevant in the classic sense: a fully aquatic animal. The absolute priority is water quality and temperature, not air humidity.

Substrate
Fine sandBare-bottom tank (no substrate)

Fine, smooth sand or a bare bottom to make cleaning easier and avoid injuries. Ban sharp gravel and small ingestible pebbles (risk of obstruction).

UVB
Recommended

Yes. Provide UVB (a 5.0 to 10.0 tube or a UV lamp for turtles) above the surface, despite the almost entirely aquatic lifestyle, for vitamin D3 synthesis and shell health. Replace the source according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Water source
Always available

Freshwater (tolerates slight estuarine salinity, but kept in freshwater in captivity). Temperature 26-31 °C, neutral to slightly alkaline pH (~7.0-8.0). Powerful filtration, water movement and regular water changes are essential: the species is very sensitive to nitrates, ammonia and poor water quality. Provide good water depth (an active swimmer).

Origin
Carettochelyidae

Southern New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua) and northern Australia (Northern Territory). Tropical rivers, lagoons and estuaries.

02

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Molluscs, crustaceans, fish, aquatic insects

Omnivorous, becoming more frugivorous/herbivorous with age. Plant matter: fruit (figs), aquatic plants, leaves. High calcium requirements (supplementation necessary). Limit excess animal protein, which promotes obesity and abnormal growth (pyramiding) of the shell.

Breeding
Oviparous

Clutch 7–39 eggs/young. Terrestrial egg-laying. The eggs show embryonic diapause: hatching is triggered by immersion/flooding (a drop in oxygen). Captive breeding is difficult and rare.

Health watch points
  • Fungal and bacterial infections of the skin and armoured shell (linked to poor water quality)
  • Injuries and abscesses from bites between conspecifics (flippers, shell)
  • Metabolic bone disease / calcium and vitamin D3 deficiency
  • Eye problems and respiratory infections linked to degraded water
  • Obesity and shell pyramiding from protein overfeeding
03

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 2 documented genes for Pig-nosed turtle.

  • Leucistic (Anomaly) white phaseRec
  • Hypomelanistic / PinkDom
04

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

🧬

Pig-nosed turtle × Pig-nosed turtle

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

GeneParent AParent B
Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.
05

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the pig-nosed turtle.

Why is the pig-nosed turtle reserved for experts?▾
It is a fully aquatic species of very large size with continuous growth, extremely sensitive to water quality and easily stressed. Unlike other freshwater turtles, it almost never basks out of the water: its demands make it a difficult animal, best reserved for experienced keepers.
How big does it get and what water volume is needed?▾
Its shell averages 45 to 55 cm, with a record over 70 cm, for a weight of 15 to 30 kg. The minimum volume for a single adult is a 300 x 150 x 80 cm pool, but the species prefers a much larger volume, ideally several metres across and with good depth, as it is a powerful swimmer.
Can several be housed together?▾
No, it must absolutely be kept alone. Solitary and territorial, it is highly aggressive toward its own kind, biting them on the flippers and shell, causing injuries and abscesses.
What water temperature should be maintained?▾
As a fully aquatic tropical species, it needs warm water between 26 and 31 °C, with a shallow thermal gradient and a night-time minimum of 26 °C. No true basking hot spot is needed since it almost never leaves the water.
How should filtration and water quality be managed?▾
Water quality is the absolute priority: the species is very sensitive to nitrates, ammonia and degraded water. Oversized filtration with water movement, regular water changes, and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 7.0 and 8.0 are needed.
Does it need UVB even though it lives in water?▾
Yes, despite its almost entirely aquatic lifestyle. Place a 5.0 to 10.0 UVB tube or a turtle lamp above the water surface, for vitamin D3 synthesis and shell health, and replace the source according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
What does it eat?▾
It is an omnivore that becomes more frugivorous and herbivorous with age: molluscs, crustaceans, fish and aquatic insects are eaten alongside fruit such as figs, aquatic plants and leaves. Its calcium needs are high and require supplementation, while excess animal protein should be limited, as it promotes obesity and shell pyramiding.
What substrate should go in the pool?▾
Choose fine, smooth sand, or a bare bottom, which makes cleaning easier and avoids injuries. Sharp gravel and small unmanageable pebbles must be avoided, as they can cause intestinal obstruction.
Is acquiring it regulated?▾
Yes, it is a protected species, listed under CITES Appendix II. Most individuals offered are wild-caught, often fragile, stressed and parasitised on import; acquisition is regulated and a documented captive-bred origin is strongly preferable.
How does it reproduce?▾
It is oviparous and lays 7 to 39 eggs on land. These eggs show embryonic diapause: hatching is only triggered by immersion or flooding, caused by a drop in oxygen. Captive breeding remains difficult and rare.
How long does it live?▾
It lives 30 to 50 years, and often longer under well-managed care. Its slow growth and great longevity mean a commitment spanning several decades.
What health problems are common?▾
Most issues stem from poor water quality: fungal and bacterial infections of the skin and armoured shell, eye problems and respiratory infections. There are also injuries and abscesses from bites between conspecifics, metabolic bone disease from calcium and vitamin D3 deficiency, and obesity with pyramiding linked to excess protein.

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