I'm new here and got a fresh import 4" mata mata, feeding fine, but i read that most imports die, what all could be done to make sure this don't happen? come to think of it you never see a ltc mata mata for sale, how long is the longest anyone of you guys has had one?
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Mata mata........ fresh import, what all to do? anyone with a mata mata read
Danny797
Aug 19, 2003 09:59 PM
Replies (5)
meretseger
Aug 20, 2003 12:04 AM
I've had mine over a year. I guess all you can do is get it dewormed at the vet and make sure it has nice clean water with a low pH.
Ari
Aug 20, 2003 02:39 PM
I have been working with my 4.4 group for over 3 years. One of the most importent things to do is provide proper PH balanced water ( very clean) and proper UV lighting. If you get it on smelt then you can start providing vitamins. Hope this helps. Best of luck.
Danny797
Aug 20, 2003 09:33 PM
what is a good PH level?
Ari
Aug 21, 2003 02:02 PM
Well I try to get mine down to 5.7. You have to keep in mind were they live there are pools of collected rain water with dead leaves and plant fibers so it is very acidic. Try to soften the water aswell. I by the Fluvel peat fiber and throw some in my tubs they seem to like it aswell as Tetra black water extract. This stuff will turn your water a tan color but it is will simulate water from were they live,and matas have very light sensitive eye's anyways so this dosent matter.
hope this help
mingophi
Sep 07, 2003 11:46 AM
Hi Danny, make sure the mata doesn't have any skin or shell infections. They usually can be treated topically with Betadine, Silvadene Cream, Gentian Violet, or Chlorhexidine.
Keep the pH in the range of 5 to 6 to prevent such infections and have good biological filtration to keep ammonia/nitrate levels low. Partial water changes 1 to 2 times a week is a must.
Since most matas will only accept live fish, parasite infestations need to be addressed a couple of times a year. I worm mine by hiding Panacur/Benzelmin paste and Flagyl on the end of turtlesticks and shoving the stick into live, spineless goldfish (use scissors to remove spines). The food stick is a bottle cap and I use the goldfish as a drug vehicle. If the mata is not eating, you will have to stomach tube it. Consult a vet if worming turtles is new to you.
I have been a matamata keeper for 10 years and you learn from the ones that live/die. Bacterial infections and parasites is what usually kills them.
Good luck with these awesome animals.
Minh Phi
California
