Advice for Chaco golden knee/ Grammostola pulchripes

[Venomous Fang]

hello, I’m looking on getting a Grammostola pulchripes, it will be my first tarantula and I wanted to know if there’s anyone that would be kind enough to give me some advice or what I need to do to properly care for this amazing creature. I’ve been already researching for awhile now but I want to get some others opinions and advice.

 

[Nightstalker47]

Literally one of the easiest species to care for, basic terrestrial setup, slightly moist sub for slings and juveniles...adults can be kept dryer. Great choice for a beginner who's just getting started in the hobby.

 

[Venomous Fang]

Yea I made its enclosure like a week ago using coco fiber for the substrate it’s just slightly moist is that fine for adults? Because I’m just a adult version of it.

And are they good eaters? And how often do I have to feed them, is it like one or two crickets a week or longer than that?

 

[Nightstalker47]

Yea I made its enclosure like a week ago using coco fiber for the substrate it’s just slightly moist is that fine for adults? Because I’m just a adult version of it.

Yeah, you can let it dry out from there though, a little moisture is not an issue even with larger specimens.

And are they good eaters? And how often do I have to feed them, is it like one or two crickets a week or longer than that?

Excellent eaters, I would be feeding an adult once every two weeks or so...all depending on the size of meals offered.

 

[Venomous Fang]

Well the crickets I got are good size not to big not to small. And could I also keep Isopods with them? Like to help clean up any dead cricket remains and the tarantula won’t harm them right?

I just want to add them if I can to prevent the cricket remains from getting moldy or attracting mites.

 

[Nightstalker47]

Well the crickets I got are good size not to big not to small. And could I also keep Isopods with them? Like to help clean up any dead cricket remains and the tarantula won’t harm them right?

Not necessary, they will probably die out anyway as the conditions in the enclosure should be dry for the most part.

I would just spot clean the boli.

 

[Venomous Fang]

Oh okay. I guess the Isopods would be better for ones that need more humidity. Another question if you don’t mind me asking is how often do they molt and how do I spot that if they are going to do that.

 

[Nightstalker47]

Oh okay. I guess the Isopods would be better for ones that need more humidity. Another question if you don’t mind me asking is how often do they molt and how do I spot that if they are going to do that.

Adults will probably molt on a cycle of 18-24 months. Pre molt signs include refusing food, and the darkening of the abdomen.

 

[Venomous Fang]

Okay thank you for that is there anything else important I should know I want to do this perfectly. Also the level of substrate should be like 3 or 4 inches right ?

 

[cold blood]

Well the crickets I got are good size not to big not to small. And could I also keep Isopods with them? Like to help clean up any dead cricket remains and the tarantula won’t harm them right?

I just want to add them if I can to prevent the cricket remains from getting moldy or attracting mites.

There shouldnt be dead feeders left in ANY t enclosure....removal is your responsibility....i suggest long tweezers.

Oh okay. I guess the Isopods would be better for ones that need more humidity. Another question if you don’t mind me asking is how often do they molt and how do I spot that if they are going to do that.

Clean up crews....isopods or springtails....breathe through gills and therefore require dampness to survive....your G. pulchripes enclosure should be kept dry....so clean up crews arent really an option.

Okay thank you for that is there anything else important I should know I want to do this perfectly. Also the level of substrate should be like 3 or 4 inches right ?

The sub level/depth is completely and totally dependent on the enclosure....not the t.

There needs to be enough sub to create a safe home....deeper enclosures like aquariums, require massive amounts of sub....shallowe enclisures require a lot less....its all about keeping the distance from sub to lid at no more than 1.5X the tarantulas DLS (Diagonal Leg Span).

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Okay thank you for that is there anything else important I should know I want to do this perfectly. Also the level of substrate should be like 3 or 4 inches right ?

I keep saying that - of course talking about juve/adult specimens - is always a good idea to offer a couple inches of substrate... even 5, yes, why not?

The reason is this: you never know, you can't know/predict if a Theraphosidae wants/seek to burrow a bit.

 

[Venomous Fang]

Adults will probably molt on a cycle of 18-24 months. Pre molt signs include refusing food, and the darkening of the abdomen.

So they don’t need any amount of humidity in they’re enclosure or do they need a little bit of misting weekly? And for the substrate it should be rather high to prevent it from getting injured if it falls because the type of lid I have is like a metal mesh type.

 

[Nightstalker47]

So they don’t need any amount of humidity in they’re enclosure or do they need a little bit of misting weekly? And for the substrate it should be rather high to prevent it from getting injured if it falls because the type of lid I have is like a metal mesh type.

Humidity numbers dont factor into tarantula care, its as simple as either keeping the sub moist or dry. I wouldn't mist either way, it only moistens the surface, pouring water directly into the sub is more effective, and will keep the deeper layers damp.

Those mesh lids are a problem, the tarantula can get their tarsal claws stuck in them...sometimes resulting in loss of limbs. Switch it out for acrylic, then drill vent holes on the top.

 

[Venomous Fang]

Where can I find that? It’s the one that slides out.

Here’s a picture of the lids

 

[Venomous Fang]

Well what’s a good tank size for them?

 

[antinous]

Well what’s a good tank size for them?

What size is the T?

 

[Venomous Fang]

I don’t have the tarantula yet I’m just asking questions about it first before I go and get it.

 

[antinous]

I don’t have the tarantula yet I’m just asking questions about it first before I go and get it.

If it's 3/4" or smaller a 2 oz condiment cup would do. 1-2.5" a 16 oz deli cup works and then getting an appropriate size Sterilite container would work.

For 2-3.5" I'll house them in this enclosure which is 6"x7"


And then I'll bump them up to this one

 

[Venomous Fang]

What about tank size for young to full size adults? Would a 5 or 10 be okay?

 

[antinous]

What about tank size for young to full size adults? Would a 5 or 10 be okay?

I don't use tanks so I don't know what size those are, but an appropriate sized Sterilite tub would work. Anything that's at least 2.5-3x the DLS of the spider would be best for an young adult/adult as these tend to be Ts that are a bit more active.