Mata Mata

[sheajared]

Looking to set up a vivarium, want a mata mata but what is compatible with it?

1. Are tree frogs, chameleons, and anoles safe from it?

2. Would it eat newts, salamanders, or other frogs and toads when they came into the water?

3.Would it eat smaller crabs like fiddler and red clawed or bigger crabs like patriot crabs?

4. What are goodd fish, if any, to keep with it?

 

[methos75]

Anything in the water could be fair game

 

[paul112]

I'd suggest just keeping the Mata Mata on its own. Snakeguy keeps his with a few large fish, but I would expect anything that can fit in it's mouth would disappear quickly.

Best,
Paul

 

[snakeguy101]

You would need a very large enclosure to create a paludarium/ vivarium with a mata mata considering they need at least 200 gallons of water. Most anything that lives above the water would probably be fine. In the water, anything that is too large for the mata to swallow whole is usually good to go. I have mine in with some native "Tiger" crayfish and they are left alone for the most part.

 

[snakefin]

Don't put any aquatic herps with it. It is also pretty ridiculous to keep cold water species with something needing warmer stuff. Research please.

Palaudarium could work. Hope you're okay with humongous.

 

[LOakley]

Medium Peacock bass can go well. You would need a large set up to hold them along with the mata mata but just make sure anything that is in there is bigger than its mouth. A good friend of mine had a fresh water lion fish with one, it went fine for a while until the mata mata realized it was edible. Needless to say that was a fat mata mata for a few days. They're great turtles though! Just be careful with what you put with them

 

[snakeguy101]

Medium Peacock bass can go well. You would need a large set up to hold them along with the mata mata but just make sure anything that is in there is bigger than its mouth. A good friend of mine had a fresh water lion fish with one, it went fine for a while until the mata mata realized it was edible. Needless to say that was a fat mata mata for a few days. They're great turtles though! Just be careful with what you put with them

LEEWOOD!?!? That was me...

 

[LOakley]

LEEWOOD!?!? That was me...

Ha hey chris!!! And yes! The professor was especially fat that day. It did take him a little longer to find the leaf fish though!- granted as soon as he realized it wasn't a leaf he ate that too.

 

[snakeguy101]

Live and learn.