Mata mata with rays and aro's?

[Mike D]

i personaly would keep an aro in with any kind of turtle. aros need super clean water just by having a turtle in there will make that more difficult. you wopuld need super filtration on the tank you even make it work. and i would not want to risk an aro in with a turtle. if the mata mata decides he is hungry that will be one very expensive meal haha.

you can do what you want but i wouldnt mix stuff like that. by nature turtles eat fish, so i just wouldnt mix very expensive fish in with the mata mata. keep the turtle and the fish seperate and they will both be better off.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

Alright guys let me make a few things clear here so it's easier to understand the situation.

I have 20 years experience in keeping fresh water fish, so in the range of husbandry and water quality for aquatic animals I'm an expert - I run constant RO drips that essentially change out water 24/7 as well as 100% water changes daily for my fish.

I work in a pet store and have connections all over the place - so money is not an issue, nor do I much care if one animal suffers because of another being kept or not - so long as they aren't going to be trying to kill eachother.

I've already ruled out the rays - as having one sting a mata mata is a valid point that I was initially concerned about.

I doubt a mata mata is going to be able to bite a chunk of an arowanna if I'm keeping them in such a large tank where the aro will be in nearly 4 foot deep waters while the mata mata spends most of it's time on a shallow end.

So basically what I'm going to do is keep a mata mata with a black arowana in an oversized tank, and probably some larger dither fish as well as a constant food supply of feeder fish.

 

[snakeguy101]

Alright guys let me make a few things clear here so it's easier to understand the situation.

I have 20 years experience in keeping fresh water fish, so in the range of husbandry and water quality for aquatic animals I'm an expert - I run constant RO drips that essentially change out water 24/7 as well as 100% water changes daily for my fish.

I work in a pet store and have connections all over the place - so money is not an issue, nor do I much care if one animal suffers because of another being kept or not - so long as they aren't going to be trying to kill eachother.

I've already ruled out the rays - as having one sting a mata mata is a valid point that I was initially concerned about.

I doubt a mata mata is going to be able to bite a chunk of an arowanna if I'm keeping them in such a large tank where the aro will be in nearly 4 foot deep waters while the mata mata spends most of it's time on a shallow end.

So basically what I'm going to do is keep a mata mata with a black arowana in an oversized tank, and probably some larger dither fish as well as a constant food supply of feeder fish.

then you will be absolutely fine. I would like to see pics of your tank when you get it set up. Also, how did you manage to get a constant supply of RO? i would like to see that so that i might rig something similar.

 

[cobra blitz]

Sounds like a plan.

If you are going to keep the mata in a deep tank with a shallow end, I bet the mata will venture out to the deep end as well.

Get the night-vision goggles out! You'll see they are more active than a lot of people make them out to be.

Not sure if daily water changes are best for the mata. These guys like their water on the acidic side, not so much as like, but need it to prevent shell and skin problems, probably other issues as well. Let me know how it works out though.

I don't even have filters on my group of Argentine snakenecks because of the low ph requirements. Seems unconventional, but hey, everyone elses snakenecks have long sinced passed and mine are still here. I have not had a single one die from shell or skin issues, and that seems to be the leading cause of death for this species. Matas seem to be a little different since the just decide to kick the bucket without any signs of problems right before they do. I'm guessing its the water most of the time.

 

[Schmike]

Alright guys let me make a few things clear here so it's easier to understand the situation.

I have 20 years experience in keeping fresh water fish, so in the range of husbandry and water quality for aquatic animals I'm an expert - I run constant RO drips that essentially change out water 24/7 as well as 100% water changes daily for my fish.

I work in a pet store and have connections all over the place - so money is not an issue, nor do I much care if one animal suffers because of another being kept or not - so long as they aren't going to be trying to kill eachother.

I've already ruled out the rays - as having one sting a mata mata is a valid point that I was initially concerned about.

I doubt a mata mata is going to be able to bite a chunk of an arowanna if I'm keeping them in such a large tank where the aro will be in nearly 4 foot deep waters while the mata mata spends most of it's time on a shallow end.

So basically what I'm going to do is keep a mata mata with a black arowana in an oversized tank, and probably some larger dither fish as well as a constant food supply of feeder fish.

i dont quite like this part "nor do I much care if one animal suffers because of another being kept or not - so long as they aren't going to be trying to kill eachother."

but overall your plan sounds great. i believe with your experience and what you intend to do, the above wont be a big issue. good luck with your setup. hope to see it soon.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

At the end of the day this hobby is about our own personal enjoyment, not the animals - so who really cares?

 

[snakeguy101]

eh, as long as the animals are not being harmed and get their basic needs taken care of. But i always find it more enjoyable when the animals are acting as if they were in the wild which means making them content.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

Been there, done that. I enjoy having various animals I enjoy in one environment over recreating biotypes these days

 

[coura]

At the end of the day this hobby is about our own personal enjoyment, not the animals - so who really cares?

I beleave that is a bit of a narrow view. In my opinion we have the rigth to keep animals but their survival and well being is both a must and a priority. Or well being comes first, Im not thinking twice about leaving them alone or not doing a water change if I have some personal emergency. However their well being comes as second priority in my daily must do. You do what you want and I beleave your setup will work, just putting that aside and analizing your view. Also even having probably 18 years plus in turtle care I dont consider myself a expert, I know a "few things" can handle many situacions but not all Sometimes I feal like Im learning something new every single day for example when Im raising or breeding a animal Ive never had before and others I do really dum beginner like mistakes that make me wonder if
I know what Im doing at all. I have many more to learn and evolve both as a person and as a reptile hobbist. Some thougths for you.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

I beleave that is a bit of a narrow view. In my opinion we have the rigth to keep animals but their survival and well being is both a must and a priority. Or well being comes first, Im not thinking twice about leaving them alone or not doing a water change if I have some personal emergency. However their well being comes as second priority in my daily must do. You do what you want and I beleave your setup will work, just putting that aside and analizing your view. Also even having probably 18 years plus in turtle care I dont consider myself a expert, I know a "few things" can handle many situacions but not all Sometimes I feal like Im learning something new every single day for example when Im raising or breeding a animal Ive never had before and others I do really dum beginner like mistakes that make me wonder if
I know what Im doing at all. I have many more to learn and evolve both as a person and as a reptile hobbist. Some thougths for you.

Obviously I am meeting the needs of the animals survivability - but anyone who thinks they are doing these things a favor by keeping them in a fish tank is out of their mind.

Anyone who considers themselves an expert in any particular realm outside of environment conditioning (i.e. clean cage, clean water) and dietary needs hasn't been in the hobby long enough.

I learn somthing new almost every day.