Phormictopus sp. “Dominican Purple” Molt in Relation to Color Questions

sl33pysp1d3r

Arachnopeon
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Jun 25, 2023
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I just got my Dominican Purple not too long ago, it’s about three inches currently and assumedly recently molted considering the molt was still in the container when I got her. She is very brown, with slight purple coloring, and I was wondering if this was normal for all or just an early sign she might be a female? I know color varies from t to t, but I was curious if any of you had a lot of experience concerning the molting of this specific species.
 

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spideyspinneret78

Arachnoprince
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Looks normal to me. There can be variations between individuals, and with Phormictopus, color changes with each molt. Also, with this genus, don't rely on coloration to sex your tarantula since it's not accurate. Definitely confirm with a molt.
 

NMTs

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Phormictopus develop more coloration as they grow, and at 3" yours still has a lot of growing to do. It looks normal given it's size.
 

NMTs

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I just happened across this YouTube video that does a decent job illustrating the changes in coloration of this species just during a single molt cycle, let alone throughout their life. I don't really like the way he houses them, but the footage of the spiders is good:

 

sl33pysp1d3r

Arachnopeon
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I just happened across this YouTube video that does a decent job illustrating the changes in coloration of this species just during a single molt cycle, let alone throughout their life. I don't really like the way he houses them, but the footage of the spiders is good:

Thank you so much! I’ll go watch that right now. I figured it was still pretty little to tell but I was just curious. Its coloring is already quite pretty for its size, it came out today and I was able to get better photos. It’s hard because the acrylic is very reflective on its enclosure and I can’t really get its colors on camera without using flash
 

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Chop Stik

Always Happy Dancin
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Whats up, I have a Phormictopus sp dominican purple as well, got her when she was around 3 inches too. Now shes a big beauty, around 6 inches. They go through many color changes but note that it shouldn't be anything too crazy like from purple to like, orange or like red you get me. Mine was sometimes more pink, sometimes more purple and sometimes a deep purple. I feel there is confusion with the purple Phomictopus species, hopefully they get that genus in check. But yea, ive seen dominican purples range from pinkish, deep purple to even fuchsia. Heres my girl.
 

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