Mata Mata (Chelus fimbriata)

[Najakeeper]

Hello All,

I saw this young Mata mata on local classifieds. She was not properly cared for and in very bad shape so I contacted the person and rescued her. When I got her she did not feed, she was constantly shedding from the high PH water she was kept in and she seemed to have had a respiratory infection. After 3 weeks of intense therapy, medication and proper living conditions, she seems to be perfectly fine now. She is even taking dead fish and an ocational pinky mouse from tongs.

I don't think I have permanent space for her but she is going to stay with me until I find a proper place for her. Here is a video for you guys showing her feed.


[YOUTUBE]Ico_1ucFpiM[/YOUTUBE]

 

[buddah4207]

Very nice looking girl. Good for you for being able to rescue her, not enough people know proper husbandry. Props for taking it up.

 

[catfishrod69]

Awesome stuff! Glad you were able to nurse her back to health! And your very lucky to have one of these amazing creatures in your presence.

 

[Shrike]

Amazing species. You just earned some good karma!

 

[bugmankeith]

I like the up close video of her head where it looks like she's smiling. "Come a little closer so I can eat your face."

 

[lancej]

Very nice specimen and nicer job rehabbing her! I would be very cautious using metal tongs to feed it though. Their lower jaws are very soft, almost rubbery and could easily get damaged. You could safely hand feed it. Their bite is pretty soft. A friend of mine has one with an almost 12" (25 cm) shell, and at best, it will leave a slight red mark on your finger when it bites. If you place the fish right in front of it and let go, they will snap it up. My friend's doesn't like fingers too much, so it waits until you release the fish to take it. Also, instead of goldfish, try using some South American cichlids (cheap ones you don't mind getting eaten). They will snatch up the pieces of food that escape the Mata Mata's mouth, and they like the lower ph levels. They will also provide some exercise for the turtle when she tries to catch them.

 

[Najakeeper]

Thanks for the comments guys, I am glad she is doing fine.

Very nice specimen and nicer job rehabbing her! I would be very cautious using metal tongs to feed it though. Their lower jaws are very soft, almost rubbery and could easily get damaged. You could safely hand feed it. Their bite is pretty soft. A friend of mine has one with an almost 12" (25 cm) shell, and at best, it will leave a slight red mark on your finger when it bites. If you place the fish right in front of it and let go, they will snap it up. My friend's doesn't like fingers too much, so it waits until you release the fish to take it. Also, instead of goldfish, try using some South American cichlids (cheap ones you don't mind getting eaten). They will snatch up the pieces of food that escape the Mata Mata's mouth, and they like the lower ph levels. They will also provide some exercise for the turtle when she tries to catch them.

Thanks for the advice mate. Tried hand feeding today and it worked just fine. As for goldfish, I have none in the tank. The orange fish you might have seen is another species. I may try cichlids though...

 

[ShredderEmp]

I just saw one of these today at an animal expo. Very cool.

 

[Msh]

Very awesome turtle!
@ shredderemp did that happen to be the Scott smith all animal expo, I was there today as well. -- nevermind I just saw your post about your new scorpion haha.

 

[lancej]

Thanks for the comments guys, I am glad she is doing fine.




Thanks for the advice mate. Tried hand feeding today and it worked just fine. As for goldfish, I have none in the tank. The orange fish you might have seen is another species. I may try cichlids though...

No problem! These are such awesome turtles, yet a lot of well-meaning people get them without a clue of how to take care of them. I am really glad you rescued this wonderful turtle and are taking proper care of it. Are those tetras (it's been many years since I have kept any fish, so I am not up to date anymore)? Small tetras are another good fish to keep with them. You are obviously doing a great job with this turtle, as it looks very healthy.

 

[Najakeeper]

Just to give you guys an update, she is fully back on great health and doing wonderful.

Here is a recent picture:

 

[Najakeeper]

I don't think I have permanent space for her but she is going to stay with me until I find a proper place for her. Here is a video for you guys showing her feed.

And after four months of rehab, I found her a perfect home. I delivered her to a turtle specialist yesterday. She has a huge amazon style aquarium/terrarium with live plants, a lot of horizontal space and very good water quality. I am very happy how this turned out to be...