best tarantulas for 5 gallon tank?

[puppironi]

Hi everybody. I've been interested in purchasing a tarantula recently. I went to my local reptile store to see what they had in stock and purchased a 5 gallon tank but walked away without buying anything else. Upon more research I was told I could only get a dwarf tarantula. I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations for a good beginner tarantula that could comfortably live there for its entire adult life. I have no experience with arachnids at all, so I'd prefer something more docile and slower moving. So far I was told a pumpkin patch tarantula (Hapolopus sp. Colombia) could be a good fit since it's small. I'd appreciate any recommendations or advice for a first time owner! There is so much conflicting information online so I thought I'd ask owners with experience

 

[viper69]

I own those, it is neither docile nor slow moving! Also they are quite flicky.

There’s only 2 species that fit inside that AND meet your criteria.

H chilensis is one, the other equally as rare to find lately .

Why are you stuck getting a 5 gal?

There are more options if you expand size of T you’re willing to get...

 

[puppironi]

I own those, it is neither docile nor slow moving! Also they are quite flicky.

There’s only 2 species that fit inside that AND meet your criteria.

H chilensis is one, the other equally as rare to find lately .

Why are you stuck getting a 5 gal?

There are more options if you expand size of T you’re willing to get...

The most I can upgrade from there is a 10 gallon. I know that increases my options a lot but I figured I could ask around to see if anyone had any more options Many of the recommended beginner tarantulas are all larger so I wanted to double check.

Would you say the Hapolopus sp. colombia would still be a decent choice for someone who isn't really afraid of spiders or their movements? Or a decent beginner spider? Since I really adore the coloration and I don't mind that much if they're faster moving. Can you elaborate on the flicky part?

 

[Craig73]

I think the better question here is what do you want in way of a tarantula, not what you could fit in a particular enclosure size.

There’s a few dwarf species that could meet your criteria, but is a dwarf species what you want? And likely hood of finding one that would go into that size enclosure off the bat is challenging and usually costly. You’d probably have a much smaller enclosure or three before upgrading to a final home...lots of affordable options for that under $5.

 

[viper69]

The most I can upgrade from there is a 10 gallon. I know that increases my options a lot but I figured I could ask around to see if anyone had any more options Many of the recommended beginner tarantulas are all larger so I wanted to double check.

Would you say the Hapolopus sp. colombia would still be a decent choice for someone who isn't really afraid of spiders or their movements? Or a decent beginner spider? Since I really adore the coloration and I don't mind that much if they're faster moving. Can you elaborate on the flicky part?

No

Urticating setae

I keep my AF G pulchripes in a breeder box large, who the hell needs a 10 gal??!!

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Not sure where you read that a 5 gallon can only house a dwarf but that's nonsense, tarantulas don't require a lot of space. A 5 gallon tub can easily house an adult female A. geniculata (the one pictured below is 7" and has plenty of space).

 

[Hoxter]

What are dimensions of said '5 gal tank'? You realize it's only volume and doesn't tell us anything about how big it actually is? And I agree with @The Grym Reaper , it can be plenty of space.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

It's kind of odd trying to determine if something typically measured by length, like a tarantula, could fit into a container that is measured using volume. A 5 gallon container could have any number of dimensions which would mean a 5 gallon plastic storage box could have different dimensions than a 5 gallon aquarium making one, or both, a suitable sized container to house the same tarantula.

My formula to finding the size of tarantula that could fit in a container is length of container divided by 3. So a container that is 15 inches long could house a tarantula with a leg span of at most 5 inches. Or just 5 inches long for short. Another example would be if I were go to the Target and find a nice clear plastic container measuring 3 inches long and 3 inches wide, I know I could house a tarantula with a leg span of 1 inch at most. I typically don't factor height into my silly formula because buying taller is always better if I don't have a tarantula in mind before hand.

Edit:
Looks like @Hoxter hit the post button before I finished my own post. We were basically typing the same thing at the same time.

 

[LucN]

It would be a bit large for a dwarf. You'd be better off getting a really nice display species like the iconic Brachypelma hamorii. And I would agree with Grym Reaper, you could also put a nice A. geniculata instead.

 

[puppironi]

It's kind of odd trying to determine if something typically measured by length, like a tarantula, could fit into a container that is measured using volume. A 5 gallon container could have any number of dimensions which would mean a 5 gallon plastic storage box could have different dimensions than a 5 gallon aquarium making one, or both, a suitable sized container to house the same tarantula.

My formula to finding the size of tarantula that could fit in a container is length of container divided by 3. So a container that is 15 inches long could house a tarantula with a leg span of at most 5 inches. Or just 5 inches long for short. Another example would be if I were go to the Target and find a nice clear plastic container measuring 3 inches long and 3 inches wide, I know I could house a tarantula with a leg span of 1 inch at most. I typically don't factor height into my silly formula because buying taller is always better if I don't have a tarantula in mind before hand.

Edit:
Looks like @Hoxter hit the post button before I finished my own post. We were basically typing the same thing at the same time.

I realized I was silly not to include dimensions. the tank is 16" x 8 x 8 inches. And I was told only a dwarf tarantula could go in the tank, hence my confusion. Many people seem to house larger tarantulas in small containers so I didn't know if that was an outdated practice or actually accepted in the hobby currently. If the space was okay I would love to get a brachypelma hamorii as my first tarantula since it's so iconic. It says the leg span is around 5.5 inches, so would it be okay in the tank if I bought an adult?

 

[KeGathings17]

H

No

Urticating setae

I keep my AF G pulchripes in a breeder box large, who the hell needs a 10 gal??!!

Honestly after owning my AF G porteri in a 10 gallon, I can't agree with this enough. I should honestly scrap the thing for glass and put her in one of those. I like the designs of most 'breeder' boxes I have seen.