Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey- I'm a tortoise guy usually, but I'd like to get a MataMata. I live in Central Florida, and I have a 125 gallon pond. Can they live in this year round? Do you think they would try to eat my large Goldfish? Thanks. Brooks

I would not recommend a Mata in an outdoor pond, for a few reasons.

Firstly, you will have a difficult time maintaining water quality. Runoff, rainwater, etc. will all tend to alter pH and possibly dirty the water. This means constant pH checks and a very good outdoor filter (which is costly). Temperature will also be more variable than that mata is used to. Preferred temperature ranges from 78F to about 82F, and it should be quite constant (as for most Amazon basin organisms).

Secondly, given that matas are shallow-water inhabitants, I suspect that your pond will be too deep for anything but a large mata, for which it may be too small. (general rule of thumb: water depth should be about equal to the carapace length of the mata and should not exceed this depth).

Lastly, yes, a mata of any significant size will eat your large goldfish. This will not only be bad for the goldfish, but likely poor for the mata as well (carp are a very poor food choice for matas, just how poor is often debated, but I strongly urge you to avoid it).

If you're looking for a mata, I'd plan on an indoor enclosure. Do an indoor pond or large display tank...visitors will dig it.

--'Rhemil'

I keep an adult pair of matas outside in a pretty big pond.Im in south Florida.Theres no way i'm keeping them outside.If I had to guess,they're not cold tolerant.And I've never saved a mata from respitory infection.I've lost 3.Ive only had them a few months,but I do have a 5 year captive.Shes never sees cold water.