Argyroneta aquatica [Diving Bell Spider]

[InfektorX]

Argyroneta aquatica or the diving bell spider lives most of it's life under water. That would be a crazy little spider to keep and maintain but it would sure be different than land or tree dwelling spiders, lives in an air bubble and eats almost anything underwater.

http://www.hlasek.com/argyroneta_aquatica_6913.html

 

[P. Novak]

dang thats hecka awesome!! that would be interesting to own! :?

 

[BakuBak]

there is lot of them in Poland :]

 

[cloud711]

awesome spider. i wonder if there is a water dwelling t as well!? hmmm.... :?

 

[Denisthemenace]

it looks ugly lol

 

[Stylopidae]

That is insane. Thanks for sharing.

Baku...to you know anyone who would supply to the states?

 

[BakuBak]

It would cost lot of money too send them to You but it is possible I think
If You are interrested PM me at spreng so I wil look for them :]

 

[Anthony]

Fine pictures of a unusual lifestyle I enjoyed seeing. Thank you

 

[WithCerberus]

Does anyone in europe keep these spiders? If so post some pics and some captive info. 8)

peace,
Bobby

 

[InfektorX]

I'm guessing not alot of people keep these but it would require the same maintence as fish, a filter to keep the water clean, probably give it small feeder fish or something for it to survive. They don't grow that big from what I read only 5 to 8 cm.

 

[Stylopidae]

I'm guessing not alot of people keep these but it would require the same maintence as fish, a filter to keep the water clean, probably give it small feeder fish or something for it to survive. They don't grow that big from what I read only 5 to 8 cm.

That's still a fairly decent size IMO...How big is the bell?

Think it would take crickets off the surface?

 

[InfektorX]

Dunno how big the bell is but it has to be at least double it's size cause it lives in the bubble underwater but it still breathes air, goes up ever once in a while to the surface to collect another air bubble on the hairs of it's abdomen. All I can remember was that it can eat frogs aswell as small fish.

 

[CedrikG]

very cool, must be intesting to keep this spida

 

[WithCerberus]

If we had spiders like that in the states I would definately keep a few. Setting up a tank for this spider would be so much fun. You could even keep them with smaller fish like tetras and cories (if you don't mind losing a few i guess) and live plants. Does anybody know if they even breed and keep their eggsac underwater? wow, i wish we had these here.

peace,
bobby

 

[NRF]

They do almost everything under water, eat, breathe, breed, hibernate, except from perhaps spreading by ballooning (the young ones). I have had a few in aquarium but mostly for photographing, but they haven´t done very well. But I think that under suitable conditions there would be no problem to keep them. I don´t think they would do much harm to fish since they are very slow swimmers. An so what if some tetras were eaten. Here´s a small photo of a Finnish one:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=39384

 

[Steven Gielis]

I have had them also. It's not that easy to keep them. They don't like the water to warm and it has to be clean. It had a 20 gallon tank with lots of plants. You can't keep them together because they fight for there underwater-airtank. It takes a while to build that. they eat various aquatic insects and maybe also land insects. They also need a dry part in the tank. But that doesn't have to be that big. Mating and taking care for the eggs happens on land. I have never breed them because more tanks took to much space. Gravid females can often be found under stones near the river.

 

[NRF]

These do not leave the water for mating, and egg laying also takes place under water. It must have been some other spider you found under stones close to the river, perhaps Trochosa sp. which have their white egg sacs under stones.
http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/i...freshwater/Argyroneta_aquatica/more_info.html

 

[DJ_AlMighty_247]

Hey!

I made a video of a water spider, hope you like it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GidrcvjoeKE

 

[8+)]

You have the best spiders and videos!!! :clap: :worship:

Keep 'em coming!

 

[DJ_AlMighty_247]

Thanks!

I'll try to post some new videos every now and then ;-)

My pic (Argyroneta),
http://www.vastavalo.fi/displayimage.php?pos=-68521