How To Take Care Of Mata Mata Turtle? [Full Care Sheet]

You know that moment when you first see a Mata Mata turtle and think, “Wait, is that actually a turtle or just a pile of Amazon river debris having an identity crisis?”

Welcome to the world of South America’s most bizarre aquatic weirdo – a turtle that looks like Mother Nature got creative after watching too many horror movies.

These living leaf piles are way more fascinating than they look (and trust me, they already look pretty wild). But here’s the plot twist: despite their intimidating appearance, they’re actually one of the chillest pets you can keep – if you know what you’re doing.

Ready to dive into the muddy world of Mata Mata care? Let’s get our hands dirty.

What Makes Mata Mata Turtles So Special?

Picture this: you’re walking along the Amazon riverbank and you spot what looks like a soggy leaf pile with a traffic cone for a nose.

Wrong! You’ve just met a Mata Mata turtle – nature’s master of disguise.

These South American natives can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) long and live anywhere from 40 to 50 years (with some keepers reporting individuals pushing past that mark). If you’re setting one up, plan for decades of care.

In 2020, researchers confirmed that there are actually two Mata Mata species: Chelus fimbriata (Amazon Basin) and Chelus orinocensis (Orinoco Basin).

Most turtles in the pet trade are still labeled as fimbriata, but keepers may encounter either species. Care is the same for both.

The Weirdest Part About Their Looks

Their triangular heads come equipped with a snorkel-like nose extension and what can only be described as a “sleepy smile” – like they’re perpetually amused by their own bizarre appearance.

The shell is rough and knobby with spherical cones projecting from it, thanks to three keels running from front to back.

But wait, it gets weirder: their necks are covered with warts, skin fringes, and ridges that aren’t just for show – they contain sensory nerves that detect vibrations from nearby prey.

It’s like having a built-in motion detector system!

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Tank Setup: Creating Your Own Amazon Swamp

Now here’s where things get interesting (and slightly complicated).

Mata Matas aren’t your typical “throw them in any old tank” kind of turtle.

Tank Size Requirements

Let me break this down for you:

Turtle Age	Tank Size	Notes
Hatchlings (2-4 inches)	40-60 gallons	They start small but grow FAST
Juveniles (4-10 inches)	60-100 gallons	Plan ahead – they won’t stay small
Adults (10-18 inches)	200+ gallons or pond	Eventually you’ll need more than just a tank – an indoor pond is more appropriate long term

Pro tip from the trenches: One experienced keeper warns: “They grow quite large and despite not moving around much, they still need their space”. Plan for their adult size from day one, or you’ll be upgrading constantly.

The Swimming Situation (Spoiler: They Can’t Really Swim)

Here’s something that’ll blow your mind: despite being strictly aquatic, Mata Matas aren’t great swimmers and require a substrate to ‘walk on’ like a gravel mix to give them traction.

Think of them as the underwater hikers of the turtle world.

Water depth guidelines:

• Adults: 8-10 inches maximum
• Hatchlings: 3-4 inches
• Experienced keepers recommend never keeping them in water deeper than 12-16 inches

Substrate and Decorations

A sandy substrate prevents abrasions to the turtle’s plastron and acts as an anchor for plants.

Add some driftwood, rocks, and aquatic plants to create hiding spots and make your turtle feel at home.

The golden rule: Give them places to hide at the bottom, but don’t go overboard with decorations – you still need to clean this thing!

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Water Chemistry: The Make-or-Break Factor

This is where Mata Mata care gets tricky, so pay attention.

pH Requirements

They require a low pH of 5-5.5 (with 7 being neutral) – that’s pretty acidic!

How to achieve this:

• Add sphagnum moss (naturally acidic)
• Use peat in your filtration
• Throw in some Indian almond leaves
• Use RO (reverse osmosis) water as a source of low pH freshwater

The result? Your water will look slightly brown from the tannins, but this is exactly what creates an Amazonian Mata Mata environment.

Temperature: Keep It Tropical

Water temperature should range from 77-81°F (25-27°C) and be maintained year-round.

But here’s a pro tip that most guides miss: Several long-term Mata Mata keepers recommend keeping the surrounding room at 80-85°F to avoid having the turtles breathe in cool air and develop respiratory problems.

Filtration: The Gentle Giant Approach

They prefer slow-moving water, so when choosing a filter, it’s important to incorporate a break in any falling water with wood or rock.

A driftwood stump or rock will keep water from falling and splashing too violently into the enclosure, more closely resembling the quiet, slow-flowing inlets of their natural habitat.

Filter power rule: Get a filter rated for twice your tank capacity. For a 100-gallon setup, you want a 200-gallon rated filter.

Lighting: UVB Through Water

Even though these turtles don’t bask, UVB light is still recommended.

Since the light has to penetrate water, you’ll need high-output bulbs like Arcadia’s 12-14% T5 bulbs.

Schedule: 12 hours on, 12 hours off

Replacement: Every 6-12 months (the UV effectiveness dies even if the bulb still glows)

Feeding: The Vacuum Cleaner Approach

Now this is where Mata Matas get really interesting.

How They Actually Eat

Forget everything you know about turtle feeding. When prey comes within range, the turtle strikes out and opens its mouth, sucking in large amounts of water and the prey item through low pressure created in the throat.

They don’t really chomp or chew, but rather suck in the fish whole. It’s like watching a living vacuum cleaner in action!

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What to Feed

Food Type	Examples	Notes
Primary Diet	Minnows, platies, mollies, guppies, goldfish, sunfish	Live fish preferred
Occasional	Night crawlers, earthworms	Some individuals accept these
Avoid	Commercial turtle pellets	They rarely accept processed foods

Feeding Strategy

Here’s the secret that experienced keepers swear by: Keep the enclosure stocked with 30-40 feeder fish at all times and allow the Mata Mata to feed freely.

Why? It can be difficult for your Mata Mata to catch just one or two fish when hungry, but with plenty of options, they can hunt naturally.

Feeding frequency:

• Hatchlings: Daily
• Juveniles: Every other day
• Adults: 2-3 times per week

The Goldfish Controversy

Experienced keepers warn that “goldfish are bad for all types of live feeding due to mass production issues”. Stick to healthier feeder fish like guppies or mollies when possible.

Common Health Issues and Red Flags

Respiratory Problems

Cool air can cause respiratory issues, so keep that room temperature warm.

Warning signs: Mouth breathing, lethargy, refusing to eat

Shell and Skin Issues

Filthy and unhygienic enclosures increase chances of shell rot and mouth rot, especially if the turtle has any prior injuries.

Prevention: Powerful filtration and regular water changes

Parasites

Parasitic attacks are common since they prey on live animals.

Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, white worms in poop, blood in stool

Solution: Annual deworming and regular vet checkups

Handling: Less is More

Avoid handling imported Mata Mata turtles until they’re established and comfortable – eating regularly, active, and showing no signs of illness.

Small Mata Matas should be set up in their enclosures and not handled very much, as many refuse to feed for long periods after being disturbed by extensive handling.

Think of them as “look but don’t touch” pets – they’re way more interesting to watch than to handle anyway.

The Reality Check: Are Mata Matas Right for You?

Let’s be honest here.

The Good News

The Mata Mata turtle is a solitary creature that doesn’t move much and prefers to be left alone. As long as the tank setup is good, Mata Matas are quite easy to care for.

Experienced keepers report they’re “some of the easiest turtles on the planet” and “super cool turts, easy to care for and cool to watch especially when they’re eating”.

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The Reality Check

Space requirements: You’re looking at a 200+ gallon setup for adults

Cost: Initial setup can run $1000+ easily

Commitment: Mata Mata turtles aren’t short-term pets. In captivity, they usually live 40–50 years, with some keepers reporting individuals pushing past that mark.

Claims of 75–100 years exist, but those are anecdotal and not well-documented. If you’re setting one up, plan for decades of care.

Complexity: Water chemistry needs constant monitoring

Who Should Get One?

Perfect for experienced turtle keepers who:

• Have space for a large, permanent setup
• Enjoy watching rather than handling
• Appreciate unique, low-maintenance pets
• Can commit to decades of care

Not recommended for: Beginners, apartment dwellers, or anyone expecting a cuddly pet.

Setting Up Your First Mata Mata Tank: A Step-by-Step Reality Check

Phase 1: The Foundation

1. Get a big tank (minimum 100 gallons for juveniles)
2. Install powerful filtration (rated for 2x your tank size)
3. Add sandy substrate (2-3 inches deep)
4. Install heating (submersible heater + room heating)

Phase 2: Water Chemistry

1. Fill with RO water
2. Add peat and sphagnum moss
3. Test pH (aim for 5.0-5.5)
4. Let it cycle for 2-4 weeks before adding your turtle

Phase 3: The Finishing Touches

1. Add decorations (driftwood, rocks, plants)
2. Install UVB lighting (12-14% T5 bulbs)
3. Set up feeding station (shallow area for easy hunting)
4. Stock with feeder fish

The Bottom Line

Mata Mata turtles are like that friend who looks intimidating but is actually super chill once you get to know them.

They’re not the pet for everyone – but for the right person with the right setup, they’re absolutely incredible to keep.

Their unique appearance makes them desirable pets to keep, and they’re good pets to have – as long as you respect their needs and give them the space they deserve.

These turtles have been perfecting their weird look for millions of years. The least we can do is give them a proper home that honors their Amazon heritage.

Ready to welcome one of nature’s strangest creations into your life? Just remember – they might look like debris, but they deserve nothing less than perfection.