Liquifin's A. moderatum Growth Diary

[Liquifin]

Slow growth is the hardest thing to wait for those impatient in wanting a larger specimen. But the growth of this specific species is so slow and so bizarre I documented the growth of my two specimens. Both of these A. moderatum specimens where received on the 2nd of February at 2nd instar and their slow growth competition cannot be beaten easily. When I retrieved them, they were between 1/6''-1/5''.

A. moderatum at 2nd instar 1/6''-1/5'' (February 14, 2019)


First Molts of my specimens at the bottom of the picture(Specimen #1 Molted: March 7, 2019)


I don't have pictures of each time when they molted. But I do have the dates when they molted and I have all the molts for my largest A. moderatum (specimen #1) sling so far. As a proud owner, after 10 months of great feedings and warm temps I've finally got it pass the 1/4''. Sadly, specimen #2 is still at 1/5'', but it's getting there. Now their molt cycles are much longer now and I'll update this thread when they molt again and show their progression, which might be in another year.

Specimen #1 at a little over 1/4''


Specimen #2 at 1/5'' (yes, it's that small, but it's just fat that's why it looks bigger).


Anyhow, here is the progress of specimen #1 in comparison to a 1/4'' grain of rice. Yes, this is 10 months of progress. No Joke.

 

[The Seraph]

Slow growth is the hardest thing to wait for those impatient in wanting a larger specimen. But the growth of this specific species is so slow and so bizarre I documented the growth of my two specimens. Both of these A. moderatum specimens where received on the 2nd of February at 2nd instar and their slow growth competition cannot be beaten easily. When I retrieved them, they were between 1/6''-1/5''.

A. moderatum at 2nd instar 1/6''-1/5'' (February 14, 2019)
View attachment 324686

First Molts of my specimens at the bottom of the picture(Specimen #1 Molted: March 7, 2019)
View attachment 324687

I don't have pictures of each time when they molted. But I do have the dates when they molted and I have all the molts for my largest A. moderatum (specimen #1) sling so far. As a proud owner, after 10 months of great feedings and warm temps I've finally got it pass the 1/4''. Sadly, specimen #2 is still at 1/5'', but it's getting there. Now their molt cycles are much longer now and I'll update this thread when they molt again and show their progression, which might be in another year.

Specimen #1 at a little over 1/4''
View attachment 324690

Specimen #2 at 1/5'' (yes, it's that small, but it's just fat that's why it looks bigger).
View attachment 324689

Anyhow, here is the progress of specimen #1 in comparison to a 1/4'' grain of rice. Yes, this is 10 months of progress. No Joke.
View attachment 324688

Ho Jesus, you in for the long run.

 

[WolfSoon]

Good idea, I should’ve documented my sling better to help pass the time. Mine actually seemed to speed up in growth after reaching 1/2” or so.
I bought it in January 2018 at ~1/4” and he/she is now about an inch.

 

[Liquifin]

Good idea, I should’ve documented my sling better to help pass the time. Mine actually seemed to speed up in growth after reaching 1/2” or so.
I bought it in January 2018 at ~1/4” and he/she is now about an inch.

View attachment 324706
View attachment 324705

Nice, but may I ask that you don't invade my thread . I don't want everyone posting their specimens on here . I do appreciate knowing I'm not the only one that's hitting it slow with these A. moderatum.

 

[WolfSoon]

Nice, but may I ask that you don't invade my thread . I don't want everyone posting their specimens on here . I do appreciate knowing I'm not the only one that's hitting it slow with these A. moderatum.

No problem, I removed the photos.

 

[Liquifin]

Update- Specimen #2 Molted earlier last week and is now at .45'' which is a huge jump for me. Specimen #1 also molted a couple days after and is at .5'' now! I don't have any pictures for A. moderatum #1, but I do have pictures for #2.

Specimen #2

 

[Liquifin]

There has not been an update on this thread I made for about 11 months because there was no progress or molts... Until today. Yes, today specimen #1 molted and it's recent molt is about .55''-.6'' of an inch which it's probably close to the .75'' mark now. So we finally have progress again to update my thread.

Aphonopelma moderatum Specimen #1 Recent Molt

 

[Smotzer]

Not to invade, but a year just to hit maybe .75 is quite a slow progression and small increments in sizes by molts!! Thanks for documenting this, great to see just how little and slow they grow.

 

[Liquifin]

Not to invade, but a year just to hit maybe .75 is quite a slow progression and small increments in sizes by molts!! Thanks for documenting this, great to see just how little and slow they grow.

It's not invading to comment on this thread as it's just a documenting of growth for my two A, moderatum specimens. I would just prefer people not post pictures of their specimens as this thread is specifically to mark my specimens growth rate over time.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

This is some of the slowest growth I've ever seen. Aphonopelma species obviously grow slowly, but it's interesting to see it all documented.

 

[scooter1685]

Wow. I bought a 3-inch female about six months ago. Makes me wonder how old she is. I figured 2-3 years at the time, but now I'm pretty sure I was way off. Thanks for posting this. Beautiful little T.

 

[Liquifin]

Great news, both specimens have molted and are now a little bit larger. Specimen #2 is officially past .5'' or the 1/2'' mark by a little bit, which it now has to grow past .75'' or 3/4'' in size. Also, specimen #1 molted and is officially at the .75'' or 3/4'' inch mark. I'm guessing the molt cycles finally getting there hopefully. Well, let's see how long it'll take until the next molt cycle.

Aphonopelma moderatum Specimen #1
Officially .75'' or 3/4''



Aphonopelma moderatum Specimen #2
Just passed the .5'' or 1/2''

 

[LucN]

That is crazy slow, but being an Aphonopelma, I shouldn't be surprised. Imagine waiting almost 5 years and finding out it's a male. That would be disappointing for me. Maybe in 10+ years from now, these little ones will finally be mature ? Good luck and keep up with the test of ultimate patience.

 

[Liquifin]

Specimen #2 sadly passed away from a really bad molt. So now only one sibling remain of the original 3...

The good news to weigh out the bad news is that specimen #1 molted and is officially an 1'' sling. Let's hope that specimen #1 can reach maturity.

Not the best picture... but any picture is better than none.

Specimen #1 A. moderatum Freshly Molted:

 

[Liquifin]

Specimen #1 has molted again and this molt is the biggest jump yet. It's recent molt is about 1.15'' almost 1.25''. I can't tell if it's bigger or bulkier, but either way it is progress. It might need a rehouse but I'll decide that later. The colors are slightly visible now on the legs.

Specimen #1 A. moderatum

 

[LucN]

Wow ! Maybe by next molt it'll start to have the full adult colours. I would call this particular species my personal "Holy Grail" of the genus. Would love to have one, but they are rarely available here in Canada.