Psalmopoeus Sp. Black orchid

[Arachnophobphile]

True. My pulcher and victori females aren't huge, but they look downright massive compared to this guy. It is just shocking when you have what you think is a big sling and after 1 molt it's an MM, .

I have to admit that is a shocker. I mean that is small for any Psalmopoeus and might even be a record, I don't know.

I don't even think you'll find a female P sp black as I only seen slings being offered very recently.

I hope you have luck finding a breeder that might be able to locate someone with a female for you. Definitely want to be able to pair him. Those P. sp blacks sold out quick when offered.

 

[NMTs]

I have to admit that is a shocker. I mean that is small for any Psalmopoeus and might even be a record, I don't know.

I don't even think you'll find a female P sp black as I only seen slings being offered very recently.

I hope you have luck finding a breeder that might be able to locate someone with a female for you. Definitely want to be able to pair him. Those P. sp blacks sold out quick when offered.

Yeah, I'm skeptical, too, but maybe we'll get lucky...

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Yeah, I'm skeptical, too, but maybe we'll get lucky...

I'm hoping you do find a female. Getting dealers/breeders contacting possible sources should hopefully pan out.

This is huge in getting this little guy paired and extremely important. The bigger problem might be with a possible female that's ready for pairing size vs the male.

 

[Smotzer]

Guys, I have news about this - and my mind is blown... I returned from a work trip and found that my little suspect male P. sp. black had molted, which was expected. What wasn't expected is that it would MATURE! It was (is) tiny - like almost N. incei size, the exuvia measured 2.75"... I'm certain he's mature, as well, but I'll get him out this weekend and do a proper photo shoot and get measurements. I know that not all Psalmos are giants, but compared to the cambridgei male I just shipped off that was close to 7" DLS this guy is practically a dwarf...

I had one of my Psalmopoeus irminia mature at like the exaxt same size, its not unheard of!

 

[NMTs]

Here's some pics of this little MM. The exuvia measured 2.75" DLS, and post-molt he was right at 3.5" DLS. Hopefully we'll be able to find a female to hook him up with.

1.0 Psalmopoeus sp. Panama MM

• NMTs
• Oct 7, 2023
• 13
• black black orchid mature male psalmopoeus psalmopoeus sp panama

Fresh mature male, 3.5" DLS. AKA sp. "black" and sp. "black orchid". The exuvia only measured...

1.0 Psalmopoeus sp. Panama MM

• NMTs
• Oct 7, 2023
• black black orchid mature male psalmopoeus psalmopoeus sp panama

Fresh mature male, 3.5" DLS. AKA sp. "black" and sp. "black orchid". The exuvia only measured...

 

[curtisgiganteus]

Here's some pics of this little MM. The exuvia measured 2.75" DLS, and post-molt he was right at 3.5" DLS. Hopefully we'll be able to find a female to hook him up with.

1.0 Psalmopoeus sp. Panama MM

• NMTs
• Oct 7, 2023
• 13
• black black orchid mature male psalmopoeus psalmopoeus sp panama

Fresh mature male, 3.5" DLS. AKA sp. "black" and sp. "black orchid". The exuvia only measured...

1.0 Psalmopoeus sp. Panama MM

• NMTs
• Oct 7, 2023
• black black orchid mature male psalmopoeus psalmopoeus sp panama

Fresh mature male, 3.5" DLS. AKA sp. "black" and sp. "black orchid". The exuvia only measured...

View attachment 457702
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How long from sling to maturity?

 

[NMTs]

How long from sling to maturity?

I received it on 8/16/22, and it was about 3/4-1" DLS. Molt history:

 

[Smotzer]

I received it on 8/16/22, and it was about 3/4-1" DLS. Molt history:
View attachment 457722

How do you like using this app?

 

[NMTs]

How do you like using this app?

I really like it - makes keeping track of molt history, rehousings, feeding history, etc., super easy. You can also customize a bunch of stuff to capture information that may not have predetermined categories. They've done a really good job of continuing to develop the app and make changes/additions, and it's free!

 

[Smotzer]

I really like it - makes keeping track of molt history, rehousings, feeding history, etc., super easy. You can also customize a bunch of stuff to capture information that may not have predetermined categories. They've done a really good job of continuing to develop the app and make changes/additions, and it's free!

Oh that’s great! It’s the exotics related one correct? I haven’t used one since the last one stopped being available.

 

[NMTs]

Oh that’s great! It’s the exotics related one correct? I haven’t used one since the last one stopped being available.

Yes, Exotikeeper. I think there are some other ones out that I haven't used, but I highly recommend this one.

 

[Macorleigh]

I'm so taken back by the 2 inch matured male, has it hooked out ? or are you going off it's possible colouration change after molting ? i can't see any hooks on those pictures.. I have a Psalmopoeus Black Orchid sling 1 inch DLS, it's grown so fast ! i got it at 2/3 of an inch DLS and in the space of 4 weeks it has grown a considerable amount now measuring 1 inch in DLS.. I'm in the UK btw.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

I'm so taken back by the 2 inch matured male, has it hooked out ? or are you going off it's possible colouration change after molting ? i can't see any hooks on those pictures.. I have a Psalmopoeus Black Orchid sling 1 inch DLS, it's grown so fast ! i got it at 2/3 of an inch DLS and in the space of 4 weeks it has grown a considerable amount now measuring 1 inch in DLS.. I'm in the UK btw.

Always look for the eboli on the pedipalps to confirm if a male has matured. It's the surefire way of knowing.

Not all males of every genus and species produces front tibial hooks when maturing.

 

[NMTs]

I'm so taken back by the 2 inch matured male, has it hooked out ? or are you going off it's possible colouration change after molting ? i can't see any hooks on those pictures.. I have a Psalmopoeus Black Orchid sling 1 inch DLS, it's grown so fast ! i got it at 2/3 of an inch DLS and in the space of 4 weeks it has grown a considerable amount now measuring 1 inch in DLS.. I'm in the UK btw.

Yep, he's a full blown mature male. The exuvia from when he matured measured 2.75" DLS, so he's probably 3.25" DLS or so. This pic shows the mature male features pretty well...


I wouldn't consider the growth rate alone as an indicator of sex, because Psalmopoeus generally make big size gains with each molt as slings. Once they hit about 2.5" DLS, females will usually have longer molt cycles than males. That said, I actually remarked earlier in this thread that I thought this guy was a slow grower, lol. Guess that's because he was never destined to be big in the first place...

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Yep, he's a full blown mature male. The exuvia from when he matured measured 2.75" DLS, so he's probably 3.25" DLS or so. This pic shows the mature male features pretty well...
View attachment 458614

I wouldn't consider the growth rate alone as an indicator of sex, because Psalmopoeus generally make big size gains with each molt as slings. Once they hit about 2.5" DLS, females will usually have longer molt cycles than males. That said, I actually remarked earlier in this thread that I thought this guy was a slow grower, lol. Guess that's because he was never destined to be big in the first place...

Great photo, that came out perfect

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

I wasn't sure yet if Psalmos got hooks, I guess that answers it! Thank you for that great pic.

 

[Brewser]

Spider Shoppe has Psalmopoeus SP 'Black' Common Name - "Ecuadorian Black Tree Spider" listed.

They Show a photo of an Adult, Quite Striking I must say.

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

Spider Shoppe has Psalmopoeus SP 'Black' Common Name - "Ecuadorian Black Tree Spider" listed.

They Show a photo of an Adult, Quite Striking I must say.

That's what I got, haven't seen anyone else post about one yet. I hope someone will pick some up to compare notes with.

 

[jrh3]

That's what I got, haven't seen anyone else post about one yet. I hope someone will pick some up to compare notes with.

I have 7 slings around 2”-2.5”. So far I sexed 2 females and 1 male. I want to say these are the same species but don’t hold me to it.

 

[NMTs]

I have 7 slings around 2”-2.5”. So far I sexed 2 females and 1 male. I want to say these are the same species but don’t hold me to it.



View attachment 466248

This adds a little clarity to the P. sp. Panama vs. P. sp. "black" discussion - my P. sp. Panama never had the Christmas tree pattern on the abdomen, even as a 3/4" sling. It was always a solid bronze color. This is more reminiscent of P. ecclesiasticus, which is also found in Ecuador. It's also interesting (and likely totally unrelated) that the Ecuadorian Pamphobeteus species have a Christmas tree pattern on the abdomen, as well.