Is Homoeomma chilensis a good beginner?

[Songbirdsingz]

Hey guys. I'm thinking about raising another T along with my avic avic. I was wondering if the Chilean Flame Dwarf T is a good one for beginners? I have heard they tend to be quite curious and fun, and most seem docile. I think they are super gorgeous. I know some people aren't dwarf fans, but they're just so darn cute. Anyone raise any of these?

Would love to see pics of them too!

 

[fried rice]

This species is perfect for beginners.

 

[moricollins]

By most accounts they're quite hardy and docile.

 

[nicodimus22]

I love mine, but no, not for a first T.

Their growth is GLACIAL. I mean like, Aphonopelma slings grow quickly by comparison.

An ideal starter T has a moderate growth rate in my opinion...doesn't take a decade to look like something. An ideal starter T is readily available and not expensive (last time I looked, H. chilensis was either very hard to come by at this point and/or expensive.)

I'm all for getting one if you have the opportunity, but get something else too so that you're not bored as hell for the first few years.

 

[BennyBTamachi]

I love mine, but no, not for a first T.

Their growth is GLACIAL. I mean like, Aphonopelma slings grow quickly by comparison.

An ideal starter T has a moderate growth rate in my opinion...doesn't take a decade to look like something. An ideal starter T is readily available and not expensive (last time I looked, H. chilensis was either very hard to come by at this point and/or expensive.)

I'm all for getting one if you have the opportunity, but get something else too so that you're not bored as hell for the first few years.

True, for owner who start with slings. But if adult, it is an ideal starter T, in my opinion.

 

[EpicEpic]

Who has them available? I have 14 Tarantulas last I counted and I won't get bored of one

 

[jrh3]

Who has them available? I have 14 Tarantulas last I counted and I won't get bored of one

I know a guy, but man they are pricey.

 

[Frogdaddy]

Well another T added to my wish list. Thanks a lot.

 

[nicodimus22]

True, for owner who start with slings. But if adult, it is an ideal starter T, in my opinion.

Let's examine the criteria for what makes a good starter T, and see how H. chilensis does with them:

-hardy species/tolerant of a new owner's husbandry errors (pass)

-tendency to be docile (pass)

-readily available (depends on when you ask. Sometimes they're just not out there to buy. Only 1/4 inch slings are normally available when they're for sale.)

-inexpensive (fail)

-decent growth rate (fail)

-good eater (fail)

Something like T. albopilosus or G. pulchripes passes all of these.

Why do you think H. chilensis is a good starter? You're entitled to your opinion, but I'm trying to understand why you feel this way.

 

[CommanderBacon]

I saw someone selling what looked like an adult female for $400.

 

[FrDoc]

I saw someone selling what looked like an adult female for $400.

I dropped $65US over a year ago for a sling that was about 1/8” (3mm). I have no doubt you could fetch $400 for an 0.1. Plus, I agree wholeheartedly that these are NOT good first T’s. Mine has molted twice, is maaaaaybe 1/2”, and still lives in a pill vial. I must say however, that pill vial is a microcosm of a regular fossorial set up. The wee beastie has constructed a two entrance burrow system that thankfully can be viewed from the side, VERY cool.

 

[CommanderBacon]

I dropped $65US over a year ago for a sling that was about 1/8” (3mm). I have no doubt you could fetch $400 for an 0.1. Plus, I agree wholeheartedly that these are NOT good first T’s. Mine has molted twice, is maaaaaybe 1/2”, and still lives in a pill vial. I must say however, that pill vial is a microcosm of a regular fossorial set up. The wee beastie has constructed a two entrance burrow system that thankfully can be viewed from the side, VERY cool.

I purchased a 1/4 sling earlier this year and paid a shameful amount for it. The European breeders appear to have caught on that we're desperate, so the price that you picked yours from (I think FNT had them at that price?) is no longer available.

I have a subadult male as well, which I paid $75 for a few years ago.

I honestly don't think they are bad for new keepers, despite not molting often. I just don't see how someone who is new to tarantulas is going to commit to dropping $200-$400 on a species that is difficult to come by these days.

 

[FrDoc]

I purchased a 1/4 sling earlier this year and paid a shameful amount for it. The European breeders appear to have caught on that we're desperate, so the price that you picked yours from (I think FNT had them at that price?) is no longer available.

I have a subadult male as well, which I paid $75 for a few years ago.

I honestly don't think they are bad for new keepers, despite not molting often. I just don't see how someone who is new to tarantulas is going to commit to dropping $200-$400 on a species that is difficult to come by these days.

Correct on FNT, that’s where I got mine.

 

[Jess S]

I'm in the UK and have been looking for one for a year without luck. I'd even get a sling if I found any.

 

[Liquifin]

There has been some more H. chilensis juveniles and adults from the recent EU import that was brought into the U.S. but I don't think anyone is going to sell them easily nor for cheap. I always tell people, if you want a certain species that is hard to come by, you need to check on every big online breeder, seller, or vendor and ask them about what species are imported and when the next import or shipment comes in. I don't know everything that gets imported into the U.S. but I do know when some of them do.

It's hard to know value and availability if you're a casual tarantula keeper, so I try to keep every import up-to-date if I can, just so I know when prices are fair and availability is out there. A lot of people buy, but are not aware that sometimes it's just a blatant inflation and a bait hanging right in front of you to just "buy". So be smart about purchases.

Just a random recent tip for the moment that will get outdated soon: Don't buy C. versicolor's for $35+ as there was a huge import of C. versicolor slings brought into the U.S. to quell demand, which there are still a huge surplus out there, but some online vendors are still to greedy to not deflate or lower prices. I don't know who imported them, but that's the word passed down to me.

 

[Jess S]

All I'd like to add is the very thing that makes them so endearing to keepers, is a behaviour that could be off-putting to a new, nervous, former arschnophobe keeper. I'm talking about the reputation chilensis' have for trying to climb out of their enclosures when the lid is opened.

Tlitocatl albopilosus imo are perfect beginner species. Good growth rate, do burrow when young but eventually stay on the surface. Not overly skittish or difficult to rehouse.

 

[moricollins]

I loved my (what were sold as way back when) Homoeomma sp. "Blue". They were quite beginner friendly. Fairly quick growing, calm.

 

[Vanessa]

Make no mistake, I adore my Homoeomma chilensis and would be devastated if anything happened to them.
However, for the price tag that they are going for, I would hunt down a juvenile/sub-adult/adult female Grammostola pulchra instead.

 

[Songbirdsingz]

Make no mistake, I adore my Homoeomma chilensis and would be devastated if anything happened to them.
However, for the price tag that they are going for, I would hunt down a juvenile/sub-adult/adult female Grammostola pulchra instead.

i actually have done some looking around and I'm definitely considering a pulchra instead!

 

[viper69]

Hey guys. I'm thinking about raising another T along with my avic avic. I was wondering if the Chilean Flame Dwarf T is a good one for beginners? I have heard they tend to be quite curious and fun, and most seem docile. I think they are super gorgeous. I know some people aren't dwarf fans, but they're just so darn cute. Anyone raise any of these?

Would love to see pics of them too!

There is no better species for a beginner.

I’ve raised a few.

They are hard to find now, and used to be super cheap.

All comments you cited are true.

If you get one this is one species where you can’t open the lid, then turn around and get distracted because they almost always walk out within seconds. Fortunately they aren’t speedy

H. chilensis

• viper69
• Jun 28, 2020
• 2
• homoeomma chilensis

H. chilensis - suspect female

E. sp. Red, Adult Female eating 2 of 2.

• viper69
• Aug 29, 2016

AF E. sp. Red, Post-Molt

• viper69
• Aug 29, 2016

E. sp. Red, Adult Female- Recent Molt

• viper69
• Aug 29, 2016
• 1
• chilensis euathlus sp. "red" female homoeomma homoeomma chilensis

I dropped $65US over a year ago for a sling that was about 1/8” (3mm). I have no doubt you could fetch $400 for an 0.1. Plus, I agree wholeheartedly that these are NOT good first T’s. Mine has molted twice, is maaaaaybe 1/2”, and still lives in a pill vial. I must say however, that pill vial is a microcosm of a regular fossorial set up. The wee beastie has constructed a two entrance burrow system that thankfully can be viewed from the side, VERY cool.

I paid 65$ for an adult female before they were popular. Picked up a sling for 5$