Beginning with a Blue Fang?

[Ratfinger]

Having troubles finding any Brazilian blacks so I think im gonna go with a Ephebopus cyanognathus (blue fang). Having trouble finding a caresheet on em so if anyone could help me out that would be great.
Are they fast? Aggressive? Whats the biggest thing I can stick a sling in?
Thanks in advance..

 

[LPacker79]

If I were you I'd hold off on an E. cyanognathus until you've gained some experience with spiderlings. In addition to being a bit pricey, they're also very fragile as spiderlings. They can be speedy, and like the rest of the genus can have a bit of attitude.

 

[C_Strike]

I agree with LPacker.... blue fangs r incredibly aggressive...(well mine certainly was).
MY bluey wen touch or even very gently blown will stand in its threat position with its fangs pointing at you whilst articulating them up ands down dribbling venom from them.....
They are a beautiful spider but at the same time 1 that shud b left til you gain some experience with them.
I certainly wouldn't want to be bitten by 1 of these, i heard they have quite a bite too.
Personally i would recommed u look 4 any avicularia as they r not aggressive (generally) and can be extremely beautiful. Try a search for avicularia versicolor and you' see what i mean. though they can be a little problematic during spiderlings, they can wither easily

 

[rosehaired1979]

Having troubles finding any Brazilian blacks

If you are looking at online dealers they have them. Just look for Grammostola pulchra

Also I agree I would hold off on the blue fangs as reasons that are already mentioned.

 

[BugToxin]

It may not matter to you, but I'm pretty sure that this species is very small compared to other T's as well. Just an F.Y.I. if you are looking for a bigger spider.

 

[jbrd]

It may not matter to you, but I'm pretty sure that this species is very small compared to other T's as well.

What size are they when they are adults?

 

[BugToxin]

What size are they when they are adults?

I haven't had one myself yet, but from what I have read it seems that a good size adult female would be about 5" or so. Still a big spider, but not big for a T. Plus they aren't nearly as bulky as the pulchra, which was the other spider mentioned in this thread. I think E. cyanognathus (Blue Fang) are beautiful, and my get one myself someday, but when I got my first T, I wanted a whopper!!!

 

[Sheri]

As Leanne mentioned, slings seem difficult to keep alive... mine died, seemingly for no reason at all.
Which is a huge contrast to G. pulchra which is hardy, and very easy to keep.

 

[Czalz]

Only a few of the big dealers that I know of are completely out of G. Pulchras, both John, and Kelly still have some in stock.
www.e-spiderworld.com (John Hoke) or www.swiftinverts.com (Kelly Swift)

 

[Beardo]

I believe Botar has G. pulchras in stock...www.botarby8s.com.

 

[T-Harry]

Having troubles finding any Brazilian blacks so I think im gonna go with a Ephebopus cyanognathus (blue fang). Having trouble finding a caresheet on em so if anyone could help me out that would be great.
Are they fast? Aggressive? Whats the biggest thing I can stick a sling in?
Thanks in advance..

Well, G. pulchras are probably the most beautifull T's around and are also very easy to take care of. So when you're looking for your first T I too would say look for the pulchra.

In case you want to get a cyanognathus anyway here's what I know about them:
Ephebopus cyanognathus belongs to the family of the Avicularinae (same as the Avicularia, Iridopelma, Pachistopelma and Tapinauchenius genus) but unlike other species of this family they are not arboreal but burrow instead. The natural habitad is French Guyana, some islands on the northern shore of South America. Grown up females reach a body length of 2 to 2.5 inches. Since they are burrowers you should keep them in a tank with at least 4 inches of substrate. They are also webbing a lot around the entrance to their burrow. Temperature should be at 75° to 80°F and humidity should be kept by at least 70% and should not exceed 90%. A good ventilation is required. It is normally a quite nervous and very fast T.

More info on the Ephebopus genus:

MARSHALL, S. D. & UETZ, G. W. (1990): The pedipalpal brush of Ephebopus sp. (Araneae, Theraphosidae): evidence of a new site for urticating hairs. Bull. Br. Arachnol. Soc. 8(4): 122-124.

WEST, R. C. & MARSHALL, S. D. (2000): Description of two new species of Ephebopus Simon, 1892. Arthropoda 8(2): 6-14.
(I allready posted that in exactly the same words this thread: http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=44094&page=2&pp=15&highlight=blue+fangs ; I just copied it here for your convenience).

As of now I can't tell much about aggresiveness since mine are still very tiny.
I once had three slings of that species but one died out of no reason. The other two are doing fine though.

 

[KennethM]

beginning

I would recommend a red knee, curly hair, rose hair as first tarantulas. They are easy to care for where as blue fangs require more care and are a bit tricky.

 

[cloud711]

I would recommend a red knee, curly hair, rose hair as first tarantulas. They are easy to care for where as blue fangs require more care and are a bit tricky.

i agree. you should start with beginner t's.

 

[rosehaired1979]

Thats why we are telling him to go with a Brazilian Black because it is a beginner T