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

Although many Chelids have moderate cold tolerance, I don't beleve a Mata would thrive in a pond this small (with considerable temperature fluctuation) in central Florida where cold weather is not uncommon. Perhaps you could put a large submersible aquarium heater (get a good brand) in there with a default value of about 70 degrees. If you have a filtering system, this should provide adequate water circulation, otherwise, an airstone near the heater would help. It probably wouldn't attack goldfish much larger than it could swallow, but it might have a hard time getting enough food unless you kept the pond vewry well-stocked with feeder fish of the appropriate size.
PS: I once lost a Mata when my furnace went out while I was away for a few days and the temp was down in the 50's. The caregiver didn't even think anything was wrong and, to add insult to injury, let the tank water get so low that the submersible heater overheated and cracked. Which leads me to repeat my law of vacation caretakers: Even if they are your most trusted friends and hold a PhD in Zoology, they will invariably do the stupidest and most damaging things possible. (i.e. "i fed your iguana lard because his skin looked dry.)Leave very rigid and very specific written instructions (i.e., "If the food pellets go completely uneaten and the tank is foul and smelly, don't dump in MORE in the hopes it will suddenly revive their appetites."

And just to add, they would really love eating your goldfish, and would try to kill them even if they were too big to eat. Matamatas eat live fish almost exclusively. Lots of them.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

They also prefer rather shallow water too. If your pond is too deep it may be problematic.

How about something like a Argentine Sideneck? They are really cool AND very cold tolerant. I know folks who keep them out in the dead of Winter and they hibernate fine (as long as the water has an open spot in the surface ice.

Since this kind of freeze would never be a problem for you that would be an awesome turtle for you get. Very nice looking and very hardy.