Help me choose species

[kestrel123]

I have no tarantulas yet (I'm a researcher.) My goal is to have a room with a whole bunch of different vivariums in there as a display. I most likely will keep it to 5 - 10 tarantulas. I also have a jumping spider and may get a few more of those, and then may may add other animals like lizards at some point. I'm bringing this up because I need to be selective about the tarantulas I keep.

I think it would be fun to have at least one each of terrestrial, arborial, and fossorial, (and a webber) to have dwarves and larger species, and to have tarantulas of different color spectrums.

Because I am not going to have a huge collection, I would like the spiders I keep to be species that tend to be visible a lot of of the time. I'm OK with a “pet rock” if it's out and about, but a “pet hole” wouldn’t be ideal.

I would love your help in making a short list. What should I remove, add, etc.?

Here is my long list - need to make into a short one.

• A. Geniculata - I think this is a must for me. People love them, I think they’re gorgeous, and they sound like they’re a nice display animal. Larger terrestrial.
• Brachypelma - I don’t think the list would be complete without one, and I love their looks. My favorites are Smithii, Klaasi, and Boehmei. I LOVE the look of the Boehmei, but it sounds like they’re kind of kicky assholes. Thoughts on these 3?
• C. Versicolor - Beautiful, supposed to be pretty visible. Arborial & webber.
• Homoeomma sp blue/peru/1/2 confusing but - seem to be out, active, curious. Terrestrial
• T. Cyaneolum - Some colors similar to a few others here. Read that they’re curious, and out and about. Terrestrial.
• T. Albopilosum - Can I NOT have one? I’ve read a lot of reports of people loving these guys - they can bulldoze things around and can be characters. Unique look. Terrestrial.
• T. Vagans - Supp. active, out in the open, ‘spunky’. Nice looking. Terrestrial.
• H. Pulchripes - Beautiful, might be a good first OW, out on display a lot. Fossorial, webber.
• M. Balfouri - Beautiful, but more reclusive? Opportunistic burrower, webber.
• Phormicoptus - (purple or full green?) Quick to be comfortable, on display, Would be one of the few purple / green ones. Terrestrial.
• P. Subfusca (high/lowland) Love how these look, would be a unique one in the collection, a calmer pokie, often on display. Arborial.
• P. Victori - Love the black/red, but am reading mixed reports on visibility. Arborial, webber.
• T. Ockerti - Out and about, another ‘red rumped’ colored species. Semi-arborial.
• Xenesthis - Not sure which, SO beautiful, Out a lot, good eaters. Terrestrial

Dwarves / smaller:

• D. Pentaloris - Love the colors. Sounds like they’re fun to feed. Opportunistic burrower with some webs.
• D. Diamantinensis - Beautiful, fast, inquisitive, fun. Terrestrial (but like some height), webber. Similar-ish colors to C Versi…. Do I pick one or the other?
• N. sp. Panama - Supposedly out a lot. Terrestrial. Another similar-ish color to C Versi/D Diaman
• N. Incei - People love these, and they’re a different look /color scheme. Terrestrial, webber.

(Red butt spiders on my list: C Versi, T Cyan, T Ockerti, T Vagans, D Diament - probably need to narrow this group down.)

 

[Stu Macher]

A geniculata.

 

[viper69]

Start with G pulchripes, grow it out till it’s 3.5 inches, then come back to ask about your second- best advice I have

 

[zsiciarz]

Because I am not going to have a huge collection

Come back to this post in two years.

 

[fcat]

I can't believe GBB didn't make the cut!?!

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I can't believe GBB didn't make the cut!?!

A staple!

OP, it seems you really love the Brachys and T. Albopilosum. Those are a great start, as is, of course, the genic and then the versi a bit down the road. You have a couple more advanced species on there you want to wait on and your list will change as you keep them. NMT’s will post new ones he’s found and before you know it, your entire list has changed. I wouldn’t recommend jumping in with 10 or so at once. I started keeping slings with 3 (after years of keeping adults) and that was a good start for me. You will want to add others, so why not spread it out a bit?

 

[Mustafa67]

I have no tarantulas yet (I'm a researcher.) My goal is to have a room with a whole bunch of different vivariums in there as a display. I most likely will keep it to 5 - 10 tarantulas. I also have a jumping spider and may get a few more of those, and then may may add other animals like lizards at some point. I'm bringing this up because I need to be selective about the tarantulas I keep.

I think it would be fun to have at least one each of terrestrial, arborial, and fossorial, (and a webber) to have dwarves and larger species, and to have tarantulas of different color spectrums.

Because I am not going to have a huge collection, I would like the spiders I keep to be species that tend to be visible a lot of of the time. I'm OK with a “pet rock” if it's out and about, but a “pet hole” wouldn’t be ideal.

I would love your help in making a short list. What should I remove, add, etc.?

Here is my long list - need to make into a short one.

• A. Geniculata - I think this is a must for me. People love them, I think they’re gorgeous, and they sound like they’re a nice display animal. Larger terrestrial.
• Brachypelma - I don’t think the list would be complete without one, and I love their looks. My favorites are Smithii, Klaasi, and Boehmei. I LOVE the look of the Boehmei, but it sounds like they’re kind of kicky assholes. Thoughts on these 3?
• C. Versicolor - Beautiful, supposed to be pretty visible. Arborial & webber.
• Homoeomma sp blue/peru/1/2 confusing but - seem to be out, active, curious. Terrestrial
• T. Cyaneolum - Some colors similar to a few others here. Read that they’re curious, and out and about. Terrestrial.
• T. Albopilosum - Can I NOT have one? I’ve read a lot of reports of people loving these guys - they can bulldoze things around and can be characters. Unique look. Terrestrial.
• T. Vagans - Supp. active, out in the open, ‘spunky’. Nice looking. Terrestrial.
• H. Pulchripes - Beautiful, might be a good first OW, out on display a lot. Fossorial, webber.
• M. Balfouri - Beautiful, but more reclusive? Opportunistic burrower, webber.
• Phormicoptus - (purple or full green?) Quick to be comfortable, on display, Would be one of the few purple / green ones. Terrestrial.
• P. Subfusca (high/lowland) Love how these look, would be a unique one in the collection, a calmer pokie, often on display. Arborial.
• P. Victori - Love the black/red, but am reading mixed reports on visibility. Arborial, webber.
• T. Ockerti - Out and about, another ‘red rumped’ colored species. Semi-arborial.
• Xenesthis - Not sure which, SO beautiful, Out a lot, good eaters. Terrestrial

Dwarves / smaller:

• D. Pentaloris - Love the colors. Sounds like they’re fun to feed. Opportunistic burrower with some webs.
• D. Diamantinensis - Beautiful, fast, inquisitive, fun. Terrestrial (but like some height), webber. Similar-ish colors to C Versi…. Do I pick one or the other?
• N. sp. Panama - Supposedly out a lot. Terrestrial. Another similar-ish color to C Versi/D Diaman
• N. Incei - People love these, and they’re a different look /color scheme. Terrestrial, webber.

(Red butt spiders on my list: C Versi, T Cyan, T Ockerti, T Vagans, D Diament - probably need to narrow this group down.)

G pulchripes or T albo

Next A genic/LP/a Nhandu/V chromatus - any of these are spicy, colourful and eat well.

I haven’t had a problem with my B bohemi hair kicking, yes it‘s more spicy than my other Brachypelmas but it’s also my favourite Brachy. The hair kicking isn’t bad when you compare it to some other Ts (Pamphobeteus antious & Theraphosa apophysis).

 

[kestrel123]

A geniculata.

Definitely on my list!

Start with G pulchripes, grow it out till it’s 3.5 inches, then come back to ask about your second- best advice I have

I am not super interested in G Pulcripes, would rather start with a Brachy or T Albo.

Come back to this post in two years.

I have a feeling you might be right, but I do have other plans with other critters and I also have a husband to consider. LOL

I can't believe GBB didn't make the cut!?!

Feel free to convince me! I had it but then I also have D Diamantinensis....

A staple!

OP, it seems you really love the Brachys and T. Albopilosum. Those are a great start, as is, of course, the genic and then the versi a bit down the road. You have a couple more advanced species on there you want to wait on and your list will change as you keep them. NMT’s will post new ones he’s found and before you know it, your entire list has changed. I wouldn’t recommend jumping in with 10 or so at once. I started keeping slings with 3 (after years of keeping adults) and that was a good start for me. You will want to add others, so why not spread it out a bit?

Sorry, I should have clarified - I absolutely plan on building up over time, not just going and getting 10 now. So yeah would start with easier species and then move down the 'ladder'. It's just been fun for me to research and pick ones I'm interested in so I can deep dive on them a bit.

Re: the sling vs adult thing, I'm not sure on that. The slings are a bit intimidating as far as the care goes, and I know some are easier and grow faster than others. Maybe get a larger Brachy (slow growers people say), and another sling / juvenile or two to start? I clearly am a nerd and have taken care of various critters over the years so would research the husbandry... but I worry that the slings are more delicate.

G pulchripes or T albo

Next A genic/LP/a Nhandu/V chromatus - any of these are spicy, colourful and eat well.

I haven’t had a problem with my B bohemi hair kicking, yes it‘s more spicy than my other Brachypelmas but it’s also my favourite Brachy. The hair kicking isn’t bad when you compare it to some other Ts (Pamphobeteus antious & Theraphosa apophysis).

Thanks re: the boehmei info! I really love how they look so I think they are my top Brachy. Do you think it might be an OK species to start with? I'm an experienced critter keeper, just not spiders other than the jumper.

Thanks for all of the responses - other than the GBB am I 'missing' any species? Like, it'd be a damn shame if you didn't experience X if you're only getting like 10.

OR - on my list, any of your faves that 'yeah, this should definitely make the cut' or 'nah, this one shouldn't make the cut' based on your experience?

Again, this is more for fun because I enjoy the research aspect of it, so feel free to throw advanced species, too. My researching is the way to keep me enjoying them without jumping right in to the deep end. (Which is why I have OWs on my list now, not because I'd get one now.)

 

[zsiciarz]

Needs more Psalmo... Psalmopoeus irminia for the prettiest, P. cambridgei for the most visible.

 

[kingshockey]

My goal is to have a room with a whole bunch of different vivariums in there as a display

youve no other choice but to take your time and buy them all

 

[fcat]

Search this exact text on the forum including the asteric:
GBB*

Better eaters, faster growers, most fun to build enclosures for (in my opinion), foolproof (because of this website I felt confident putting my second ever sling in her adult enclosure)

(Pardon my reverse moisture gradient it was a bag of old substrate and a bag of new and she was young and premolt enough to appreciate it)

Now that I know you are open to other species

You are missing out on a whole way of living...but you definitely need to work your way up to it (everything you need to know is here)


The reason I say you need to work your way up to them is because most fossorials need you to have your soil moisture dialed in. Too much can be deadly, too little can be deadly, and many times you are looking for changes in their enclosure, a foot popping out, or no terrible smells as proof of life.


She's hungry...

But what they build is worth every bit of not being able to see them...
And then when they do show themselves they take your breath away...

My species recommendations would be Ephebopus cyanognathus for new worlds, (also the world's prettiest slings, fight me) and pictured here Ornithoctonus aureotibialis,when you are ready for an old world.

E cyanognathus

 

[sparticus]

If small size isn't a turn off , I actually think the D. Diamentinensis is prettier than the GBB. But GBB is super fun to raise due to color changes from sling to adult. I love my brachypelmas, I think they're awesome and my B boehmei isn't all that spicy or kicky, although I mostly leave her alone. I also have found the pumpkin patch to be a super fun, colorful little species to raise. There is no red booty species better than G. Iheringi in my opinion. If you can find one it should definitely go on your list. A little spicy for a first species perhaps, but absolutely gorgeous and possibly my favorite spider.

 

[kestrel123]

Needs more Psalmo... Psalmopoeus irminia for the prettiest, P. cambridgei for the most visible.

Thanks! Do you know how visible the P. Victori is by chance?

Search this exact text on the forum including the asteric:
GBB*

Better eaters, faster growers, most fun to build enclosures for (in my opinion), foolproof (because of this website I felt confident putting my second ever sling in her adult enclosure)
View attachment 487502
(Pardon my reverse moisture gradient it was a bag of old substrate and a bag of new and she was young and premolt enough to appreciate it)

Now that I know you are open to other species

You are missing out on a whole way of living...but you definitely need to work your way up to it (everything you need to know is here)


The reason I say you need to work your way up to them is because most fossorials need you to have your soil moisture dialed in. Too much can be deadly, too little can be deadly, and many times you are looking for changes in their enclosure, a foot popping out, or no terrible smells as proof of life.


She's hungry...

But what they build is worth every bit of not being able to see them...
And then when they do show themselves they take your breath away...

My species recommendations would be Ephebopus cyanognathus for new worlds, (also the world's prettiest slings, fight me) and pictured here Ornithoctonus aureotibialis,when you are ready for an old world.

E cyanognathus

Thanks for the GBB rec. You've definitely piqued my interest more. I love your enclosures! My plan is to go for the large end of recommended sizes when appropriate, and do a naturalistic setup, if they can (and won't destroy) live plants, if they can't, fake foliage, and lots of wood, leaf litter, hidey spots, cover etc.

Yeah, my only fossorial listed is the H Pulchripes - Good point on the nailing the moisture levels, I am a little worried about that mostly because I live in a very dry climate at elevation - house humidity esp in winter is frequently 20%.

I'll check out the others you've listed, thanks!

If small size isn't a turn off , I actually think the D. Diamentinensis is prettier than the GBB. But GBB is super fun to raise due to color changes from sling to adult. I love my brachypelmas, I think they're awesome and my B boehmei isn't all that spicy or kicky, although I mostly leave her alone. I also have found the pumpkin patch to be a super fun, colorful little species to raise. There is no red booty species better than G. Iheringi in my opinion. If you can find one it should definitely go on your list. A little spicy for a first species perhaps, but absolutely gorgeous and possibly my favorite spider.

Thank you for the recommends (and the Boehmei info, now they are a 'for sure' for me I think.) I'll check out those species. Do you have any experience with the D Pentaloris (vs. pumpkin patch?)

 

[Mustafa67]

Thanks re: the boehmei info! I really love how they look so I think they are my top Brachy. Do you think it might be an OK species to start with? I'm an experienced critter keeper, just not spiders other than the jumper.

I started with 3 Ts, a T albo, A genic and B bohemi.

It depends how comfortable you are and if you’re scared of spiders. If you’re terrified of arachnids, Brachypelma emilia, auratum or hamorii or an Aphonopelma (such as chalcodes) could be a shout. Grammostola Pulchripes would be a good no.1 T to start with if you’re afraid of Ts and want to build your confidence.

 

[kestrel123]

Ooh, 3 on my list. Did you find the Genic to be a challenge right off of the bat?

I'm not afraid of spiders - I'm a fan of them, always have been.
The only thing I'm afraid of is getting the husbandry just right. (Hence all of the pre-research.) It's just how I roll - gather all of the info before I bring an animal home, especially if it's a new species for me. Even new aquarium fish.

 

[Mustafa67]

Ooh, 3 on my list. Did you find the Genic to be a challenge right off of the bat?

I'm not afraid of spiders - I'm a fan of them, always have been.
The only thing I'm afraid of is getting the husbandry just right. (Hence all of the pre-research.) It's just how I roll - gather all of the info before I bring an animal home, especially if it's a new species for me. Even new aquarium fish.

No

Out of the “giant Ts” I I’ve owned A genic seems to be calmest, followed by Nhandu carapoensis in 2nd. I’ve never had trouuble with an A genic.

 

[kestrel123]

Thank you! Did you get it as an adult or a sling?

 

[Olan]

My picks off your list:
Brachypelma (any)
Genic
Phormictopus (you should also consider auratus, they’re gorgeous)
Versicolor
At least one pokie
Xenesthis
balfouri

Pics of some of mine:

 

[Mustafa67]

Thank you! Did you get it as an adult or a sling?

Juvie

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

That’s a hard list to narrow down, but pokies would probably be the most advanced. Good choices all around go for gbb, genic , etc .