B emilia sling 2 year growth

[SunRoseSpider]

Hi everyone!

I first got a B emilia sling in April 2022, so it's coming up to 2 years and they have only moulted once. Other slings I got at the same time have now grown to decent sizes after moulting several times. Wondering if this is normal for a B emilia, as I know they're slow growers but still looking like they're in the vulnerable size/stage after two years has me worried.

Current care info: Average temp in the room there in is 18-20C and I don't use any additional heating for them. Fed mostly locusts and they don't eat much, but neither does my other Brachpelma (hamorii). Anything I am doing wrong/should be different? Other slings that have raised similar with no issue include LP, T albo, D pentaloris as my reference. Other B was a juvie when first got it.

First picture is April 2022 second one is taken today.



Any advice appreciated thank you!

 

[cold blood]

All the other slings youve raised have significantly faster growth rates.

 

[gabrieldezzi]

Genuses like Brachypelma, Aphonopelma, and Grammastola are NOTORIOUS for slow growth rates. Like cold blood said every other sling you've mentioned have faster growth rates than any Brachypelma.

 

[SunRoseSpider]

TY both and good to know! I guess I just wasn't prepared for how slow that growth rate actually is

 

[cold blood]

Get an albiceps sling...it will make you think your emelia is a fast grower...haha

 

[viper69]

Hard to say given we don’t know much you feed

Mine certainly grew faster- but I feed mine as often as it will eat crix

 

[0viWan]

I have 4 B. Klaasi slings. All of them presumably sac mates and the same size at time of shipping (3/4''). Recieved the slings on Aug. 2nd, 2023.

Klaasi 1:
Molted 3 times and is now 2.25''.

Klaasi 2:
Same as Klaasi 1.

One of those 2 is suspected male.

Klaasi 3:
Molted 2 times and is now 1.75''.

Klaasi 4:
Molted 2 times and is now 1.5''.

All of them are kept under the exact same conditions but of course show different behaviour and appetite.

 

[444 critters]

I have 4 B. Klaasi slings. All of them presumably sac mates and the same size at time of shipping (3/4''). Recieved the slings on Aug. 2nd, 2023.

Klaasi 1:
Molted 3 times and is now 2.25''.

Klaasi 2:
Same as Klaasi 1.

One of those 2 is suspected male.

Klaasi 3:
Molted 2 times and is now 1.75''.

Klaasi 4:
Molted 2 times and is now 1.5''.

All of them are kept under the exact same conditions but of course show different behaviour and appetite.

I have experienced the same, but with 3 b. hamorii. I had 1 with a tremendous appetite, and molted twice within 6.5 months, the other 2 only molted 1 time since i aquired them, all 3 were from the same sac, but i recieved them all at about 2", all 3 had different growth rates and appetites. All were kept in the same conditions aswell. It's quite interesting how that works out..

 

[SunRoseSpider]

I offer prekill food twice weekly but they don't always eat it, so on average I'd say they're accepting food about once every fortnight.

 

[444 critters]

I offer prekill food twice weekly but they don't always eat it, so on average I'd say they're accepting food about once every fortnight.

I would also suggest bumping up the heat if possible. 23.8- 26.6 ° celsius. And offering roaches and or crickets to see if it increases feeding responses..

Slow growers can be sped up with higher heat and finding a food they prefer. Some of my species take red runners, some don't want them at all, and I give them dubia instead.

I personally think you will find a better result with a higher temperature alone though. It is a Mexican species after all

 

[corydalis]

I would also suggest bumping up the heat if possible. 23.8- 26.6 ° celsius. And offering roaches and or crickets to see if it increases feeding responses..

Slow growers can be sped up with higher heat and finding a food they prefer. Some of my species take red runners, some don't want them at all and I give them dubia only.

I personally think you will find a better result with a higher temperature alone though. It is a Mexican species after all

I second that, raised my emilia at similar temps (it went way higher in summer though..) and his growth rate was quite decent to say at least. Got him at the end of 2019 as a sling (around 5th instar), molted seven times in my care (until I sent him away to a breeder):

2020.01.10
2020.02.29.
2020.04.17.
2020.06.16.
2020.07.27.
2021.05.24.
2021.09.12.

 

[SunRoseSpider]

Update: still tiny

 

[0viWan]

I have 4 B. Klaasi slings. All of them presumably sac mates and the same size at time of shipping (3/4''). Recieved the slings on Aug. 2nd, 2023.

Klaasi 1:
Molted 3 times and is now 2.25''.

This one has now moulted 6 times in my care. She is confirmed female and until now was on a consistent 4-month moult cycle. The gain in size with every moult has been remarkable and so she is pushing 4'' right now. I think this one will become a real monster

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Patience is a virtue

To be a keeper is to develop patience. Part of the fun is watching them grow from tiny slings to adult understanding that it takes some time.

The irony I find in this is when it's related to dogs I was constantly saying quit growing so fast. But puppies only stay puppies for a very short time.

 

[SunRoseSpider]

Patience is a virtue

To be a keeper is to develop patience. Part of the fun is watching them grow from tiny slings to adult understanding that it takes some time.

Absolutely!

The changes I made were to increase the temperature to the 20-24C range and switching to crickets instead of locusts.

Still, they only moulted once more over the summer, so I guess they really are taking their time, but it's so lovely to watch regardless

 

[TheraMygale]

i purchased my b emilias when they were atleast two inches. even paid the extra for the confirmed female.

i also got two b hamoriis 3/4 inch last year.. they are mini versions of themselves now, molted perhaps twice. still, it is indeed a slow process. Same for my g pulchripes slings.

molted three times atleast. Now they are totaly stopped. And fat.

im sure if i added a heat source it would go faster, but for now im trying to test a theory. i want to see what will happen when the heat and atmospheric moisture content in the house/outdoors goes up.

i could even keep feeding my slings. But their abdomens are really over 2x carapace size. I dont know how i feel about keeping tarantulas “super sized”. especialy with molting issues and the like.

so im with you on the lengthy process.

 

[Brewser]

Update: still tiny

Request 1 Year Anniversary Obligatory Photograph Please

 

[Scoot]

Watching this with interest. My emilia moulted last week and just hit 5 inches.

I'm expecting another moult in about 4 years

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Request 1 Year Anniversary Obligatory Photograph Please

Pics please op