Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I sold of my tarantulas about 9 years ago when I left for college. Now I'm farther along and my wife's finally agreed to let me get a spider. I'm torn between several options:

Mexican Redknees (finally affordable!)
Brazilian Salmons
Greenbottle blues
goliath birdeater

I probably will only have one; I'm more into herps. In the past I've kept pinktoes, rose hairs and usambara baboons, as well as wolf spiders.

the problem's deciding. This'll be a display only pet. I'm not too worried about their temper (I never handled my spiders). but damn deciding is hard, and I've been out of spiders for a decade. Any advice?

>>Mexican Redknee
>>Brazilian Salmons
>>Greenbottle blues
>>goliath birdeater

All are good display pets. What traits are you most interested in? Good colors? Large Size? Lots or little webbing? Ease of care/maintenance?

Let me know what you like most about Ts in general and what you are looking for, and I'll help you narrow down your choices.
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KJ Vezino
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Missouri Tarantula Enthusiasts Group

I'm not too worried about ease of care. I've got enough experience with exotics in general that I'm not too worried. I like large to very large, I like visibility. color's nice...but in practice I've never seen a tarantula I didn't think had nice color. Some are more subtle than others but I haven't seen one I'd call ugly.
Housing's no big deal; I've got tons of empty tanks at any given moment ranging from 5-40 gallon displays.
I guess what it boils down to...something large that'll be relatively visible.

oh, and little to moderate webbing. S

Well, on both counts of size and webbing you've eliminated the greenbottle blue.

Your remaining choices all still fit the bill and may I also add one more that is a great display species: Acanthoscurria geniculata (Brazilian whitebanded or whiteknee)

I'd split them into two categories, to try to decide. Big and huge. The T. blondi and the L. parahybana can get 10 inches. The B. smithi and A. geniculata are in the 6-8" range.

Also here are some notes that might help.

B. smithi - Low humidity, readily flicks hair, very itchy, awesome colors, hobby classic

A. geniculata - low-med humidity, great display, always out, good color contrast, can be skittish

L. parahybana - low-med humidity, grows fast, eats like a pig, 10-11", subdued pattern, pinkish hairs (setae)

T. blondi - med-high humidity, hair flicker (worst itching hair of any T), can get 12", Seems to be a tricky species to keep. Many folks have health problem with theirs, uniform reddish brown color.
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KJ Vezino
My Gallery
Missouri Tarantula Enthusiasts Group

That makes me lean strongly towards the brazilian I like big *sigh* greenbottles are pretty but I want BIG too. And maybe jumping back in on the deep end with a birdeater ain't the best idea.

Thanks for the help!