Hi! Budblely and everyone else here. Just stopping by to see what's going on. Cheers.

Some handphone pictures of my interest to share.

Envy Envy Envy coz ur AST & Dry Leaf is Bigger then mine

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Haha I suspect my big fat tummy is bigger than yours too bro.

Of course we human wil always choose the perfect one. Yes the blunt tail is a broken tail. Cheers.

Haha, just online for a while. Nope nothing yet, apparently my father's friend has a chitra chitra, 5 feet woh, see also scared. Hehe, have to think further.

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Added on February 18, 2010, 6:04 amPrices is subjective as it depends on whether you are willing to pay or not. 20 cents coin size for RM 250 market price by the time they reach 4-5inch just imagine what feeding cost it has incured minus the probability of it dying of disease to reach that stage, then you consider it worth it or not. Rm 600+ is norm, In JB 10+ is selling for 2800 - 4800. Then again all AST might have slight different colour unless it's classified as albino or leucistic which I don't think you'll be able to get. So all and all it's up to the individual.

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Added on February 18, 2010, 6:17 amAll the fuss about what category of turtle to rear is also up to individual, just make sure you know what you are getting into by doing enough survey as well as asking existing keepers. I have in my possesion most of the turtles listed as advance or expert but I don't think it's that hard to rear when you know what you are doing. And another thing I've kept snakehead, mata-mata, ast and common all in the same tank with no problem, of course they are about the same size. As long as ample food is available and frequent change of water which is a must for any turtle there shouln't be any problem. People's definition of level worldwide refers to for example ast, will grow up to a certain stage which will require more space which people don't foresee in advance whereby socall experts has considered all factors before venturing into it. Most people will buy what interest them in the beginning and lose the interest later on. To get it is easy but to commit to the responsibility which comes with it is another matter, so consider wisely as most likely they will outlive us, haha so make sure you make a will to force the next generation to take care of it.

Enough babble, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ALL CHINESE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO THE REST.

This post has been edited by deathpion: Feb 18 2010, 06:21 AM

Here you go

AST and Common has been together for 14 months while the matamata and snakehead has been with them for about 6 months. Don't worry they are monitored closely and they are currently being housed in a 6 feet by 3 feet aquarium. They will be moved to my outdoor pond once they are too big, so I have to clear my carps by then, hahaha

Bro you forgot my dad's one mah, one of the 16 - 6 feet aquarium he's using for his Arowana. However free room all occupied by Fish tank liao, Hahaha but you are welcome to contact me in JB yumcha anytime .

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Added on February 21, 2010, 6:52 amFaith+1, your setup is fine. I have seen people rearing them in much more deeper setup with no problem. They are great swimmers, furthermore you have the driftwood for it to climb. To me the ratio or more water means cleaner water as the pollutants are dispersed more if the same frequency of water change is the same. Cheers. Enjoy they are great pets.

This post has been edited by deathpion: Feb 21 2010, 06:52 AM

Congratz. I'm building an ast army, too hahaha. It's my favourite turtle. (PS anyone got ast (s) to trade for a 8 inch matamata, hehehehe drop me a pm)

Nice, I thought you were suppose to get the red shell one though???

Holes???? Budblely guess your matamata is not the only one which has the problem, better get a professional's opinion before the holes gets bigger as yours is small and just started.

Faith matamata is a very calm turtle, if it's uneasy, just take the things out. It is reared in only empty glass aquarium when you got it so I guess it's used to it and any small stones indigestive particle is dangerous as it may be sucked in when it feeds, as budblely stated. Hope this help. Cheers.

Dear samperth, so far i've recuited 6 in my ast army one 3.5 inch, one 5 inch, two 6 inch, one 7 inch and last but not least my general at 8 inch. Note all measurement is carapace only. haha

Clean water is vital, for baby ast or any turtle at all the first sign of fungus, pls head for the vet asap. Remove half eaten food or it may contaminate the water too. Cheers. Budblely guess you have to solve your matamata problem asap or it may get worse.

Not compulsory, let it bask in the morning sun when you clean the tank will do just fine.

I let them bask without water but you have to be around and not forget, otherwise just a little covering up their legs would do if you are the forgetful type. Cheers.

Yes it's ok. I change mine daily evemthough I use filter, they are much more messier than matamata. Mine poops everytime after I change the water. Hahaha

Some keep the water level high, I keep mine above the shell but not to high just enough for the ast to stretch and take a breath without struggling.

Not true.

Haha, you have to be committed otherwise the water will be so dirty that you can't see the turtle anymore.

The height of spikes on ast is not due to water level, it's due to the growth rate, food and nutrients, dna etc which got nothing to do with water level, that's all i'm saying. The spikes grows longer and bigger from baby to juvie and gradually will level down as they grow bigger and older. Cheers.

There is no specific growth rate for ast. I have one 5 inch which grew to 7 inch in 5 months which before that was with the previous owner for 5 years without any growth. turtle will grow at their own pace regardless of space etc however food is the primary source for growth, but not to the extend of it being obese which will result in health issues. Let nature takes it's course and enjoy having them as pets rather than trying to power feed them. Cheers.