mata mata help

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Masa06

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 31, 2010
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New York,The place that lacks good herping
This is done on my blackberry during a movie in biology so its not the best grammar but.... I have a chance to get a 13 or so inch(carapace) mata mata turtle for 375$ I could probably get it for cheaper too. I haven't kept any turtles, but I can handle them( I field herp a lot) so what should I know if I get this? What size tank would be appropriate for now and what kind of food source(silverside minnows? Its in a shallow tank where it can hardly turn now so I feel inclined to get it :p
 
you will need a 120 gallon tank for that guy with lots of filtration and a good sized heater to keep the water at a constant 80ºF. I feed mine minnows and shiners by the hundreds each week. Give him a shallower area to sit on and an open area to move around. Here is a shot of my tank- he usually sits at the base of the log on the right and will go to the cinder blocks when he needs air.

5640_1093010571717_1420119798_30234766_7115451_n.jpg
 
Alright I should be able to get a 120 or something like that for not too expensive. Do I need UV? What heaters do you have? And what kind of filtration do you have?
 
No UV needed, I just have a normal aquarium heater in the sump (I keep it on during the winter and off during the summer but I live in FL, you may need it on year round). There is a great article on the care of them in the latest issue of reptiles magazine if you get it. I have two sumps that are supposed to be able to handle around 500gallons of filtration but it is still not enough. I am still doing 50% water changes weekly. The bigger the filter the better.
 
Alright, I have a subscription but I need to find the most recent one, and Jeez thats a whole lot of filtration
 
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