My matamata was always trying to hide under her filter (fluval 4) and usually ended up dislodging it. So we took a plastic litterbox, cut one side out, put holes in the top, and weighed it down with plant weights to make a cave. She crawled right in and has been sitting in it with her head poking out ever since. I never really though of a 'hidebox' for a turtle before, but she really seems content and is even eating more. (More fish! MORE!)
I can tell she's happy 'cause she's smiling.
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happier matamata
meretseger
May 29, 2003 07:03 PM
Replies (4)
bloomindaedalus
May 29, 2003 07:48 PM
Yeah nobody ever seems to mention it to the newbies or on the care sheets but i think hides are essential for all turtles especially the more shy species like fimbriatus. I have been advocating it for along time. My mata has a rock cave and we cover its entrance with water plants. He likes it much that way. Every turtle should have an underwater half log or plastci hide box or rock cave or something.
good for you!
Chrysemys
May 29, 2003 08:16 PM
Did you make your rock cave, or buy it? I am looking to make a more natural hiding place for my snappers enclosure.Thanks, Chris D.
daisy
May 30, 2003 03:47 AM
I agree, our fly river turtle also like his hiding place. At one end of the tank we have his place which is behind a couple of logs, not so much of a cave really but we noticed he is actually more open and swims around lots now he has somewhere to retire to. At the other end of the tank we have a proper cave for our lobster which is made of a piece of slate rested on a couple of rocks. I think it is quite easy to fashion a natural type cave if you can get a decent sized piece of slate, but make sure there aren't any sharp edges on it. You can then use rocks at the sides for support and plants front and back for access and hidability.
mingophi
Jun 12, 2003 10:57 AM
Hi, I use pieces of driftwood for matamatas. They like to rest next to the wood and wait for fish to swim by. Just make sure the wood is rather flat so that they can't get trapped underneath it and drown. I know of an alligator snapper owner that lost his turtle this way. You could have floating cork bark or fake plastic plants floating on top to diminish the light too.
Matamatas are great turtles with proper care. My matamata water pH is around 5.5 to 6.2. Lots of biological filtration will keep the ammonia/nitrates level low along with regular partial water changes. Since I use live fish instead of frozen fish, I worm them every six months with Flagyl,Panacur, or Benzelmin.
Good luck and enjoy your turtles,
Minh
