Description
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Gibba Sideneck Turtles for Sale – Rare, Peaceful, and Perfect for Aquatic Setups
If you’re looking for a unique aquatic turtle that isn’t all attitude or overhyped, let me put you on to something real nice — the Gibba Sideneck Turtle, also known as Phrynops gibbus. These semi-rare South American sidenecks are smooth-shelled, streamlined, and totally underrated. They’re peaceful, easy to care for, and have a subtle charm that grows on you fast.
At Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, all our Gibba Sideneck Turtles for sale are captive bred, strong feeders, and thoroughly acclimated to captivity. Whether you’re just starting out with aquatics or looking to diversify your turtle lineup, Gibbas are an incredible choice that most keepers are sleeping on.
🧬 What Is a Gibba Sideneck Turtle?
The Gibba is part of the Chelidae family — that’s the group of side-necked turtles found mostly in South America and Australia. Instead of pulling their heads straight back like sliders or cooters, they fold their heads sideways under their shell. It’s pretty wild to watch, and it’s one of those things that makes sidenecks so fascinating.
The Gibba specifically (Phrynops gibbus) hails from slow-moving rivers and streams in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They’re strong swimmers, super adaptable, and have a streamlined shell that’s brown to olive with a soft, leathery texture.
🐢 Quick Species Facts
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Scientific Name: Phrynops gibbus
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Common Name: Gibba Sideneck Turtle
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Adult Size: 9–11 inches
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Lifespan: 30–40 years
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Temperament: Docile, non-aggressive, somewhat shy
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Experience Level: Beginner-friendly, low maintenance
🐣 Age, Size & Appearance of Our Gibba Sideneck Turtles
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Available Stock:
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Hatchlings (2–3 months old)
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Juveniles (4–8 months)
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Sub-adults (1–2 years old)
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These turtles start off small, around 1.5–2 inches, and grow steadily with proper care. Adults top out around 10–11 inches, with females usually being a bit larger.
Their shell is oval-shaped and smooth with slight keeling as juveniles that flattens out with age. Skin color ranges from dark gray to olive-brown, with pale undersides and a flexible, almost leathery appearance.
Their most iconic trait? That sideways fold of the neck — it’s quirky and adds a touch of ancient reptilian flair to any aquatic collection.
🥩 Diet & Feeding Guidelines
Gibbas are opportunistic omnivores. In the wild, they’ll munch on fish, insects, crustaceans, and the occasional plant matter. In captivity, they’re super easy to feed — and they love variety.
🍽️ Staple Foods:
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Mazuri or Zoo Med aquatic turtle pellets
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ReptoMin floating sticks
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Freeze-dried shrimp, krill, or bloodworms
🐛 Protein Options:
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Earthworms
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Dubia roaches
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Silversides or small feeder fish (once in a while)
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Snails or red wriggler worms
🌿 Greens (optional, not essential):
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Duckweed
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Water lettuce
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Romaine, collard greens (chopped)
💡 Pro Tip: Gibbas aren’t grazers like tortoises, but offering floating greens can encourage enrichment and keep their systems moving smoothly.
🛠️ Enclosure & Habitat Setup
Gibba Sideneck Turtles are fully aquatic, so they thrive best in a spacious tank with strong filtration and open swimming areas.
📏 Tank Size Recommendations:
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Hatchlings: 20–30 gallons
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Juveniles: 40–55 gallons
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Adults: 75+ gallons minimum
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Ponds: Excellent option if you’re in a warm climate
💧 Water Requirements:
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Depth: 10–14 inches minimum for hatchlings, 18+ for adults
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Filtration: Canister filter or internal sump recommended
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Water Temp: 76–80°F
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Basking Spot: 85–90°F
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Ambient Room Temp: 75–80°F
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UVB: Required for shell and bone health (especially indoors)
🪵 Tank Decor & Substrate:
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Bare-bottom or smooth river rock for easy cleaning
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Driftwood and basking platforms
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Aquatic plants (real or fake) for hiding spots
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PVC tubes or rock caves for underwater shelter
Gibbas love to cruise and hide — give them room and structure, and they’ll reward you with active, interesting behavior.
🤝 Behavior & Compatibility
Gibba Sidenecks are mellow by nature. They’re non-aggressive, slow to startle, and unlikely to bite unless severely stressed. Unlike some aggressive aquatic species (looking at you, snappers), Gibbas do well solo or in community tanks with the right size and setup.
Temperament Summary:
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Handling: Best kept to a minimum — observe, don’t harass
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Activity Level: Active during the day, especially morning and dusk
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Tankmates: Peaceful fish or other turtles of similar size (monitor closely)
💡 Keep in mind: As with all aquatics, aggression can happen if space is limited or feeding gets competitive. Watch behavior and separate if needed.
📦 Safe, Fast Shipping with Live Arrival Guarantee
Every Gibba Sideneck Turtle for sale from Kingsman Exotic Reptiles is shipped with care — from our door to yours.
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🚚 FedEx Priority Overnight Shipping
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❄️ Insulated packaging with seasonal temperature control
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✅ Live Arrival Guarantee + 7-Day Health Guarantee
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🧼 Pre-shipment health screening and photo verification
We only ship Monday–Wednesday to avoid weekend delays, and we’re always available for post-shipment support.
🏆 Why Buy from Kingsman Exotic Reptiles?
Simple — we’re keepers first, sellers second. Every animal we offer has been raised with top-tier husbandry, clean genetics, and the kind of care only real hobbyists can give.
What sets us apart?
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✅ Captive-bred, no wild-caught animals
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✅ Healthy, well-started eaters
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✅ Expert care guidance
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✅ Transparent, friendly service
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✅ Decades of combined herp experience
🛒 Get Your Gibba Sideneck Turtle Today
If you’re ready for a peaceful, long-living, and easy-to-care-for aquatic turtle that brings something different to your tank — this is it. They’re rare in the hobby, and high-quality captive-breds don’t stay in stock for long.
👉 Click “Add to Cart” now to secure your Gibba Sideneck Turtle for sale and level up your aquatic turtle game with Kingsman Exotic Reptiles.
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