How Big Do Musk Turtles Get?
Musk turtles stay small, with a published adult tank minimum of a 40-gallon breeder. Unusually among aquatic turtles, more water depth is not automatically better for them.
Published adult size figures
| Figure | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Small | Published tank minimum 40-gal breeder |
| Compared with sliders | Much smaller | One of the smaller pet turtles |
| Swimming | Poor | They walk the bottom |
Checked September 20, 2026 against the sources at the foot of this page. Where sources differ the range is shown rather than averaged.
Getting there
Small throughout
Musk turtles never become large, which is much of their appeal for keepers with limited space.
Small does not mean shallow needs
Their small size and weak swimming both point to a wide, shallow, well-structured tank rather than a deep one.
What that size means in practice
A 40-gallon breeder suits an adult
Footprint matters more than height, since they use the bottom rather than the water column.
Depth is a hazard, not a feature
For most aquatic turtles more water is better. For a musk turtle, depth without structure makes surfacing harder.
Common questions
How big do musk turtles get?
They are among the smaller pet turtles, with a published adult tank minimum of a 40-gallon breeder. Footprint matters more than height for a bottom-walking species.
Do musk turtles need deep water?
No, and depth can be a hazard. They are poor swimmers that walk the bottom, so water should be shallow enough to surface easily, with structure to climb on.
Are musk turtles good for small spaces?
Their small adult size makes them one of the more practical aquatic turtles for limited space, provided the tank is wide and shallow rather than tall.