Matamata (Chelus fimbriata)

Short answers

Matamata: How big does the enclosure need to be?

200×80 cm aquarium.

Matamata: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot needed, at night 24–27 °C.

Matamata: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential.

Matamata: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–50 years.

Matamata: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

24–27 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot needed

Humidity

Aquatic

UVB

Not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

200×80 cm aquarium

Substrate

Water 30–40 cm deep, soft acidic water, leaf litter, subdued light

Feeding

Food

Live or frozen fish only

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

35–45 cm

Life expectancy

30–50 years

Origin

Amazon basin and French Guiana (the Orinoco animals have been a separate species, Chelus orinocensis, since 2020)

Protection status

CITES II (since 2023), EU Annex B: proof of origin required, must be registered with the nature conservation authority

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single keeping. The species is a sedentary, greedy ambush hunter that sucks in anything that fits in its mouth; smaller tank mates or juveniles are prey. Pairs (one male, one female) are put together only briefly for mating and watched, because otherwise the males harass the female.

Notes

A bizarrely camouflaged ambush hunter that sucks fish in with a gulp strike. It needs soft, humic warm water and plenty of quiet; unsuitable for open display tanks. It eats practically only fish.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) – Beginner to intermediate
• Argentine snake-necked turtle (Hydromedusa tectifera) – Intermediate
• Eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) – Intermediate
• Gibba turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba) – Intermediate
• Hilaire's toadhead turtle (Phrynops hilarii) – Intermediate
• Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii) – Intermediate
• Northern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina rugosa) – Intermediate
• Reimann's snake-necked turtle (Chelodina reimanni) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Matamata (Chelus fimbriata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×80 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 30–40 cm deep, soft acidic water, leaf litter, subdued light), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.