Pond tutles

[ernie]

I have a koi pond in my backyard and my son wants a turtle. So I was thinking of getting a soft shell turtle,but I have a few questions any help would be appreciated.
1. Will the turtle eat or bother my koi as some are expensive?
2. Will the turtle crawl out of the pond and leave?
3. Will a soft shell eat my plants?
4. And finally in the winter the fish stay in the pond below the ice, will/ can the soft shell do the same?

Thanks

 

[Cichlid Kid]

I would say all of the questions you asked could happen with the exception of eating your plants. I think they're carnivorous not omnivorous but I'm not positive.

 

[crister13]

It will get way too cold for it during the winter. And also, turtles are air breathers do under ice isn't going to work at all.

 

[imtcurveball]

you can get something to put the turtle inside during the winter

 

[bettaowner]

Soft shell turtles are carnivorous and will attack your koi. Turtles can only really be kept with plecos if you're lucky. Soft shells are aquatic but will still need some land to sun themselves. If you have fencing use it to add about ten square feet of land for your turtle. You will need to bring your turtle in for winter.