Big New World Tarantulas

[HoneyOilers]

I’m surprised nobody else has mentioned M. Robustum lol.

 

[TheraMygale]

Phormictopus and Xenesthis are my favorite of the new world giants. My 8 inch male Xenethsis sp Bright is the most beautiful tarantula I've ever seen.
View attachment 498241

so im guessing such a spider, to be so glamorous, must always be hiding?

In addition my G. Iheringi is a really gorgeous spider that put on size really quickly.

quickly? Really? That can be interesting. My g pulchripe slings have now entered the phase of the Turtle growth.

 

[sparticus]

I’m surprised nobody else has mentioned M. Robustum lol.

Mine was super boring. Absolutely gorgeous, literally never left her burrow. I sold her.

quickly? Really? That can be interesting. My g pulchripe slings have now entered the phase of the Turtle growth.

Yes. She was easily over 3" the first year, and is probably between 5 and 6" at year 2 and bulky. I started with a tiny sling. She was comparable to the LP in growth rate for me. Puts on a lot of size every time she molts. And sits out on display most of the time.

 

[kingshockey]

you meed an a genic they are big/heavy and greedy you can hear it stomping along as it attacks the water while you fill its dish. anything that moves must be food is its motto

 

[inquisitivechemist]

so im guessing such a spider, to be so glamorous, must always be hiding?



quickly? Really? That can be interesting. My g pulchripe slings have now entered the phase of the Turtle growth.

Not all. Xenethsis and Phormictopus sit out in the open all day. I got to see my boy every day before I sent him out for breeding. I've got 8 Phormictopus that are all visible. My 5 inch female Phormictopus sp dominican purple is always a pleasure to see after work.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

There are quite a few options to choose from. Obviously, Theraphosa species are the largest. A. geniculata is a great choice especially if you're newer to tarantula keeping. Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, some Grammostola species (pulchripes, grossa, actaeon, iheringi). More importantly, think of the other characteristics you'd like this spider to have. Ease of husbandry, growth rate, temperament, etc.

 

[TheraMygale]

There are quite a few options to choose from. Obviously, Theraphosa species are the largest. A. geniculata is a great choice especially if you're newer to tarantula keeping. Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, some Grammostola species (pulchripes, grossa, actaeon, iheringi). More importantly, think of the other characteristics you'd like this spider to have. Ease of husbandry, growth rate, temperament, etc.

absolutely. Thats why i was questing on this thread. I didnt want lasio and t stirmi exactly for their needs. And since i still don’t know how allergic i am to UrS (no rash since last year), i don’t want a tarantula that is sensitive to the point of thrashing the enclosure. When i open it, UrS will go everywhere.

my current nhandu color is so calm its eerie. She lets me open the top and just stays there. Shes wonderful to work with.

ive also developped a new safety protocol: i put wet paper towels above the enclosure when i work with my tarantulas. It avoids the UrS to comw flying out into my house.

 

[Mike41793]

Phormictopus sp. Dominican purple. Huge, feisty, vibrant.

Phormictopus sp. “Dominican purple”

• Cmac2111
• Feb 25, 2025
• 6
• adult female dominican purple tarantula new world phormictopus phormictopus sp. "dominican purple" tarantula pictures

‘Heather’, p sp. dom purple large adult female. Truly a spectacular species, the size and...

Phormictopus sp. 'Dominican purple'

• Cmac2111
• Dec 13, 2024
• 4
• adult female dominican purple tarantula feeding new world phormictopus phormictopus sp. "dominican purple" tarantula pictures

'Heather', p. sp. Dom purple adult female. Always hungry!

Really great pics. I really want one of these!

 

[TechnoGeek]

Aside of the classic Lasiodora para, i have been looking around to see what has weight/size.

my brachypelma emilia, that i got at around 2”, molted this night. I measured the molt and its around 4”. Now, i used to think 4” was big, but i find that small.

after keeping nhandu color and g pulchripes, i would like to add a bigger tarantula at some point.

i don’t really trust casual information, posted on seller websites.

id like to know what people here, have, and are at a large size. Larger then g pulchripes. i used to think my g pulchripes was big, but now i think its small.

i don’t want 1 hundred large tarantulas.

just one special large tarantula. I already have some ideas, but i want AB keeper experiences.

G pulchripes max out at 7 to 8 inches tops and 8 is actually rare for this species from what I know. So to get a T that's significantly bigger it would have to be 10 inches or bigger.

The first and most obvious (and IMHO best) candidate would be the Theraphosa genus. These are the biggest spiders on earth, and probably in history. T blondi is without doubt the best one to keep in the genus. The pink setae on a 11 inch robust tarantula is a head turner. Mine is only 2.5 years old at most and already 10 inches across, so she'll probably be 11.5 inches in 2 more years.

Next, there's Lasiodora parahybana. I don't have an adult female atm, but I know they usually max out at 9.5 to 10 inches which should be significantly bigger than G pulchripes. They also get pretty robust and heavily built. They're far far cheaper than Theraphosa blondi or even stirmi, and far easier to find too so they might be a more reasonable option for most people.

A less obvious choice is Phormictopus genus, especially P atrichomatus. I had a 10 inch female:

They're also very beautiful spiders. Not exactly easy to find but should be significantly cheaper than a T blondi.

Then you have things like Pamphobeteus sp. mascara, which are believed to reach 9 inches across. I've personally never kept these but that's what sources say.

Honestly your best bet would be L parahybana, or if money isn't an issue T blondi for sure.

 

[NMTs]

I second (third, fourth?) Xenesthis and Phormictopus. I would also suggest you look into Sericopelma species - they don't get quite as big as some of these, but they are large and interesting.

 

[TheraMygale]

@TechnoGeek thanks. The pictures put things on perspective. I think my g pulchripes might actualy be bigger then she looks. But since shes very calm and mostly sleeping, i dont see her often. Id have to measure her.

@NMTs i have been looking at sericopelma. We don’t really have them available. My dealer has some right now but they are not slings, nor the santa catalina.

 

[Cmac2111]

Really great pics. I really want one of these!

Go for it if you get the chance, won’t regret it!

 

[NMTs]

@TechnoGeek thanks. The pictures put things on perspective. I think my g pulchripes might actualy be bigger then she looks. But since shes very calm and mostly sleeping, i dont see her often. Id have to measure her.

@NMTs i have been looking at sericopelma. We don’t really have them available. My dealer has some right now but they are not slings, nor the santa catalina.

Not sure which are available to you, but I honestly think S. sp. Santa Catalina isn't the largest in the genus. @Charliemum has a couple others that are pushing 8" leg span...

Sericopelma species

Does anyone know what the largest species of Sericopelma are? I know sp Santa Catalina can get quite big but does anyone know if Melanotarsum are bigger or if any other species of the genus get bigger?

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