First T?

[boina]

I wouldn't recommend Caribena or Avicularia species for a first tarantula given how sensitive they can be. You can't keep the enclosure too moist or too dry. You have got to find the sweet spot, especially with slings.

No, you haven't. You keep them dry with a water bowl and they are pretty hardy, especially versicolor.

 

[Phases]

I don't like mikesbasictarantulas at all, because he's so hung up on specifics - specific temps and even worse, specific humidity numbers. Specific temps are superfluos and specific humidtiy might kill tarantulas - chasing humidity numbers instead of providing ventilation has, for example, killed more Avics than you can count. Humidity is without consequence - some need moist substrate, no tarantula needs a specific humidity.

I like his stuff, and I use those numbers only relative to each other. So, if i see like 65% and know that's what he's said for several other T's I have, and he does mention misting vs sub soaking etc. But yeah I basically use him as a guideline for substrate depth, and to comparatively look at humidity .. notes. Amongst other things.

I guess I'm saying there are a few places I use to read up on a species, this is one, and I just like to read all I can and find similarities between sites/people, which I then allow to hold more value.

Edit: also as for V.c finding humidty. I find that hardy and alive, and happy and thriving, at least with my V, are two different things. I can tell when she is unhappy with dry/waterdish vs happy with a bit more humidity and out and about, personally. Safe, alive, that's the goal right? No doubt - but happy is a good goal too.

 

[boina]

I like his stuff, and I use those numbers only relative to each other. So, if i see like 65% and know that's what he's said for several other T's I have, and he does mention misting vs sub soaking etc. But yeah I basically use him as a guideline for substrate depth, and to comparatively look at humidity .. notes. Amongst other things.

I guess I'm saying there are a few places I use to read up on a species, this is one, and I just like to read all I can and find similarities between sites/people, which I then allow to hold more value.

Edit: also as for V.c finding humidty. I find that hardy and alive, and happy and thriving, at least with my V, are two different things. I can tell when she is unhappy with dry/waterdish vs happy with a bit more humidity and out and about, personally. Safe, alive, that's the goal right? No doubt - but happy is a good goal too.

You can tell when your tarantula is happy??? That's highly subjective. Maybe she's out because she's unhappy and looking for a better space, ever considered that? I'm not saying it is so, just that your argument doesn't hold water.

 

[Phases]

Nah we can tell. Lathargic and hiding inside her webbing when it is really dry, for long periods, then as soon as you mist it up she comes out and hangs on top of it, moves to the wood and chills there for days, walks over and drinks water... I mean, I dunno what to tell ya, other than my wife and I are the only ones here able to monitor her day in and day out and we indeed can tell when she's holing up out of discomfort vs being out and active - and I'm here to tell ya, humidity plays a big big role in that. When we first discovered how big a deal it was, it was when we misted real good and she came out and drank off the walls as we did it, and I literally led her to the water dish which she drank out of for 5 or so minutes.

We then started to alter a couple things and I can assure you she is much more out and about, actually moves around, and hangs out in about 3 different spots, as opposed to holed up in her den.

But yeah I dunno what to tell ya other than yes, it's subjective, but yes we feel we can tell - and no ones argument about how a T 'feels' is ever going to hold water if there's not some trust in peoples ability to read their Ts.

 

[miss moxie]

I don't like mikesbasictarantulas at all, because he's so hung up on specifics - specific temps and even worse, specific humidity numbers. Specific temps are superfluos and specific humidtiy might kill tarantulas - chasing humidity numbers instead of providing ventilation has, for example, killed more Avics than you can count. Humidity is without consequence - some need moist substrate, no tarantula needs a specific humidity.

Now that I agree with, it's unnecessary to worry about exact numbers. I also agree that too many people focused on humidity rather than cross ventilation. That's why there used to be such a thing as SADS-- Sudden Avicularia Death Syndrome. It wasn't sudden, it was just the fact that their husbandry was wrong.

No, you haven't. You keep them dry with a water bowl and they are pretty hardy, especially versicolor.

I disagree with this, at least as far as slings are concerned. I've had great success with C. versicolor, A. braunshauseni, and A. purpurea slings with the soil dampened once a week. Not saturated, but dampened in one spot.

 

[boina]

I disagree with this, at least as far as slings are concerned. I've had great success with C. versicolor, A. braunshauseni, and A. purpurea slings with the soil dampened once a week. Not saturated, but dampened in one spot.

And that's something I can agree with . Yes, I think a little moisture is perfectly fine, especially for slings. I'll have to admit that my Y. diversipes did get a bit of moisture, too, as small slings... However, they will also do well in a 'dry with a water bowl' environment, especially after they are out of the first sling stages and 'dry with a water bowl' is very easy for a new keeper to maintain.

 

[boina]

Nah we can tell. Lathargic and hiding inside her webbing when it is really dry, for long periods, then as soon as you mist it up she comes out and hangs on top of it, moves to the wood and chills there for days, walks over and drinks water... I mean, I dunno what to tell ya, other than my wife and I are the only ones here able to monitor her day in and day out and we indeed can tell when she's holing up out of discomfort vs being out and active - and I'm here to tell ya, humidity plays a big big role in that. When we first discovered how big a deal it was, it was when we misted real good and she came out and drank off the walls as we did it, and I literally led her to the water dish which she drank out of for 5 or so minutes.

We then started to alter a couple things and I can assure you she is much more out and about, actually moves around, and hangs out in about 3 different spots, as opposed to holed up in her den.

But yeah I dunno what to tell ya other than yes, it's subjective, but yes we feel we can tell - and no ones argument about how a T 'feels' is ever going to hold water if there's not some trust in peoples ability to read their Ts.

I'm still having a problem with this. It's not that I distrust your observations, but your conclusions. First of all, you seem to have a n=1. That's not really very conclusive, don't you think? Then, what other factors play into this? Maybe your general environment is very dry? Maybe she didn't find her water dish at first and that was all the problem? Maybe a few drops of water in her web would have had the same effect? What about other C. versicolors (e. g. mine) that are out, active, eating well, with just dry substrate and a water dish? Your conclusions are not warrented by your observations.

 

[Phases]

I'm still having a problem with this.

Well, that's okay.

First of all, you seem to have a n=1. That's not really very conclusive, don't you think? Then, what other factors play into this? Maybe your general environment is very dry? Maybe she didn't find her water dish at first and that was all the problem? Maybe a few drops of water in her web would have had the same effect? What about other C. versicolors (e. g. mine) that are out, active, eating well, with just dry substrate and a water dish? Your conclusions are not warrented by your observations.

There's lots that go into our thoughts other than the 3 sentences I put here to give you an idea of what we're doing and seeing. We have dropped in her web and observed, we've added and led to second water dishes, we've tried dry, partially damp, damp substrate, and multiple degrees of ventilation at the top. We have found the sweet spot, and we can tell she is much happier.

T's are individuals, even if they are generally the same (ie species).

You can have a problem with it or distrust my conclusions if you like, I dunno what else to tell ya other than we can tell what OUR C. versicolor likes and dislikes, with regards to humidity, and there's more than goes into it than what I said in my prior post. Yes, they do just "fine" bone dry with a water dish, I am not disagreeing with that and if that's what you want to endorse, go for it

 

[miss moxie]

it was when we misted real good and she came out and drank off the walls as we did it

To be fair, misting does not increase humidity long enough for it to affect your T. It will raise it for a bit and then it evaporates and with it, the humidity is gone.

But we are getting off topic here. OP wanted to know what colorful spiders a beginner could handle. C. versicolor aren't impossible to take care of as a new keeper, and they are definitely readily available though more commonly available as slings rather than adults.

 

[Phases]

To be fair, misting does not increase humidity long enough for it to affect your T. It will raise it for a bit and then it evaporates and with it, the humidity is gone.

Oh, I know, I agree with that! We don't use misting as a primary role in it all, it was just an indicator, how quick she reacted, that she clearly needed a little more.

 

[Phases]

We've totes hijacked this thread guys. I vote we try to get back to giving the OP some great suggestions! Consider C. Versicolor 50/50

 

[boina]

Well, that's okay.



There's lots that go into our thoughts other than the 3 sentences I put here to give you an idea of what we're doing and seeing. We have dropped in her web and observed, we've added and led to second water dishes, we've tried dry, partially damp, damp substrate, and multiple degrees of ventilation at the top. We have found the sweet spot, and we can tell she is much happier.

T's are individuals, even if they are generally the same (ie species).

You can have a problem with it or distrust my conclusions if you like, I dunno what else to tell ya other than we can tell what OUR C. versicolor likes and dislikes, with regards to humidity, and there's more than goes into it than what I said in my prior post. Yes, they do just "fine" bone dry with a water dish, I am not disagreeing with that and if that's what you want to endorse, go for it

Ok, as long as we agree that you are talking about YOUR versicolor and others may be different I have no more problems .

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I disagree with this, at least as far as slings are concerned. I've had great success with C. versicolor, A. braunshauseni, and A. purpurea slings with the soil dampened once a week. Not saturated, but dampened in one spot.

I just overflow the water dish every once in a while and then let the substrate dry out again, rinse and repeat, I do the same for my juvies/subadults.

With slings in enclosures that are too small for a water dish I just put a small clump of sphagnum moss in there and pipette a few drops of water on it every few days or so, they drink from that if they want to.

What about other C. versicolors (e. g. mine) that are out, active, eating well, with just dry substrate and a water dish? Your conclusions are not warranted by your observations.

Same with mine, all 3 just go to their water dishes if they need a drink (or to dump a bolus or poop), I don't mist any of my Tarantulas, I think it's a waste of time personally.

 

[miss moxie]

I just overflow the water dish every once in a while and then let the substrate dry out again, rinse and repeat, I do the same for my juvies/subadults.

With slings in enclosures that are too small for a water dish I just put a small clump of sphagnum moss in there and pipette a few drops of water on it every few days or so, they drink from that if they want to.

I use one of these to fill smaller water dishes or dampen sphagnum.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Back on topic.

Stay away from the C. dyscolus (I'm assuming that's a "Vietnam Blue", I hate common names) for now, they are a more advanced OW species that are stupidly fast, can be very defensive and can potentially send you to the ER if you get tagged.

Some good starters that are colourful would be:

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens - I generally avoid recommending these as a first Tarantula because they are very fast and skittish, it can work but I just think they make a better second Tarantula personally but they are pretty bulletproof care-wise, great eaters, heavy webbers and they grow fast.
Brachypelma emilia - Generally docile but can be a bit skittish, absolutely gorgeous, easy to care for, they are pretty slow growers though so get a juvenile or larger.
Brachypelma hamorii - Generally docile (mine is evil though), they look pretty good and are easy to care for, they're pretty slow growers though so get a juvenile or larger.
Pretty much any other Brachypelma species you like the look of - Their care is all pretty much the same, some are more skittish than others.
Acanthoscurria geniculata - Gorgeous, they grow really fast, get huge, eat like tanks, have an insane feeding response (they literally think that everything is food, including you), easy to care for (they appreciate a bit of moisture in their enclosures but don't overdo it), use long tongs for maintenance and it shouldn't give you any trouble.
Pterinopelma sazimai - One of the few blue Tarantulas that won't try to eat your face because you looked at it funny, I've only had my sling for a few weeks so my personal experience with them is extremely limited, seems skittish and likes moist substrate, is a decent eater.
Avicularia avicularia/Avicularia metallica/Caribena versicolor - Get a juvenile or larger as they are slightly more tolerant of husbandry errors, read this before you get one, it will tell you pretty much everything you need to know about their care.
Grammostola iheringi - By far the coolest member of the genus, gorgeous (it's black with smokey grey setae on the legs and has a red abdomen with a gold mirror patch), they grow fast, have a crazy feeding response and eat like tanks, can be a bit skittish/defensive and they are pretty fast though.

 

[mconnachan]

Acanthoscurria geniculata - Gorgeous, they grow really fast, get huge, eat like tanks, have an insane feeding response (they literally think that everything is food, including you), easy to care for (they appreciate a bit of moisture in their enclosures but don't overdo it), use long tongs for maintenance and it shouldn't give you any trouble.

A. geniculata are a great beginner species, great colours, fantastic feeding response, I overflow the water dish once a week - that's it, I don't provide a hide it 's just not needed for this species.

Grammostola iheringi - By far the coolest member of the genus, gorgeous (it's black with smokey grey setae on the legs and has a red abdomen with a gold mirror patch), they grow fast, have a crazy feeding response and eat like tanks, can be a bit skittish/defensive and they are pretty fast though.

I don't own one of these yet, although it's at the top of my list of "must have" - they're much faster growing than other Grammostola, the black carapace and smokey grey legs, in contrast with the vibrant red abdomen, make this a much sought after species, as I said it's at the top of my list for my next purchases. Just watch out for their speed, they're crazy fast in comparison to other Grammostola sp. Feeding response is up there with the A. genic, and they eat like tanks as well.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I don't provide a hide it 's just not needed for this species.

I always like to give mine the option, since she hit 5" she just uses a hide as a toilet/waste disposal though

 

[mconnachan]

I always like to give mine the option, since she hit 5" she just uses a hide as a toilet/waste disposal though

The 3 I had before never used their hides, the one I have now is just over the three inch mark, I've not offered a hide, and she just sits on the cork bark slab, not a care in the world, if in doubt there's no harm in offering one, IME though they're just not needed.

 

[NukaMedia Exotics]

Research the Lasiodora parahybana, its known to be pretty easy to take care of, it grows fast and can get 8-10" which is great imo. I just have a 1" sling at the moment but I think a full grown female LP would be the coolest T to own.

 

[Xafron]

Take what I say with a grain of salt. I only got my first T May 9th, my second June 7th, and my third will be coming tomorrow...August 1st. I've done a lot of reading, watched channels like Tom Moran and EulersK, and have spoken with the knowledgeable members here (it's a great resource), but my experience is limited.

My first that I ended up going with is a Pterinopelma sazimai. After spending weeks researching Avicularia, I bought this on impulse (don't do that, that's bad ). Beautiful and new world, and something I had never seen before (not that starting with more common Ts is a bad thing). I've been keeping things pretty simple with her as was suggested to me and so far she's been doing great. I've heard they can be unpredictable with their behavior, and mine seems to be no exception, but it hasn't been serious enough to become an issue for me.

What I did, was just peruse all the online dealers to see what's out there (hint: more than you realize), and look up the ones I liked on the AB forums and go from there. And if there is one or two you are really interested in, then after doing research come here with questions about them. It's suggested to start with New World, so that could really help you narrow your search down.