Meet the animal
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens comes from Venezuela. Adults have blue legs, a greenish front body and orange abdomen; juveniles look different. Extensive webbing does not make it a true tree-dwelling tarantula.
Before you choose one
Keep one observation animal and ask for stage, feeding and moult history. Plan access to water as the web develops. Colour and active feeding do not justify handling, and irritating hairs remain a maintenance concern.
Set up its home
The proposed layout is 40 × 30 × 30 cm for a 12–15 cm leg-span planning case. Check actual span and upgrade if needed. Add stable substrate, a retreat and low web anchors. Keep fall height low, secure perforated ventilation and preserve reachable water.
Temperature and safe heating
Keeper guidance supports a stable room in the low-to-mid twenties Celsius as a starting plan for review. Check winter and summer extremes. Avoid concentrated basking or an unregulated floor heater. Any added warmth must leave a cooler choice.
Daylight, shade and UV
Use a normal day-night rhythm and shade. No mandatory UVB or exact UVI target is established in the retrieved guidance. Observation lighting should not add unwanted heat or continuously expose the retreat.
Water, moisture and airflow
Established adult housing is comparatively dry and well ventilated, with clean drinking water and stage-appropriate damp support. Spiderlings need closer hydration checks. Do not apply a constantly wet tropical routine or use dry care to justify omitting water.
Food and nutrition
Offer suitable cultured insects in portions matched to growth, abdomen condition and moults. Active capture does not mean unlimited food is appropriate. Remove live leftovers before pre-moult and resume after the new body and fangs harden.
Behaviour and handling
Preserve sound web anchors and retreats unless fouled or unsafe. Do not dismantle a closed moult chamber to force a view. Avoid routine handling, keep the spider alone and use a planned catch-container transfer when necessary.
Health and life stages
Injuries, persistent weakness or failed moulting need experienced invertebrate-veterinary advice. Check water access, ventilation and wetting before drastic changes. Do not use household insect sprays or airtight wet recovery containers.
Buying and keeping records
Choose documented captive-bred C. cyaneopubescens with stage and feeding records. Juvenile appearance differs from adults, so verify identification through records. Confirm current trade and import requirements for the actual transaction.
Your care routine
Prepare low web anchors and servicing access before arrival. Check water, airflow and condition regularly and remove prey remains. Leave holiday instructions that preserve webbing and the comparatively dry adult routine rather than repeated flooding.
YOUR CHECKLIST
0 of 7 ticked
Greenbottle blue tarantula — Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/greenbottle-blue/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Greenbottle blue firsthand husbandry (Tom Moran, Tom's Big Spiders)
- General tarantula care guide (The Spider Shop)
- UK reptile species equipment list (Monkfield Reptile)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
- Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for Greenbottle blue tarantula, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Water Dish Small
Model: PT2801
Provides accessible drinking water for a suitably sized established spider without forcing high enclosure humidity.
Fit check: PT2801 measures 5.5 × 6.5 × 3 cm externally. Check the usable basin, stability, safe water depth and easy entry and exit for your animal. Outside measurements do not establish a soaking fit. Clean and refresh water at least daily and whenever soiled. This is a small drinking dish, not an adult snake, dragon, frog or tortoise basin. Tiny spiderlings may need a smaller receptacle.
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Optional air-humidity monitor
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Offer suitable cultured insects in portions matched to growth, abdomen condition and moults.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Water Dish Small
Model PT2801 · Small drinker for appropriately sized animals; not a large soaking basin. Reduce water depth when needed. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Provides accessible drinking water for a suitably sized established spider without forcing high enclosure humidity.
Check before choosing: PT2801 measures 5.5 × 6.5 × 3 cm externally. Check the usable basin, stability, safe water depth and easy entry and exit for your animal. Outside measurements do not establish a soaking fit. Clean and refresh water at least daily and whenever soiled. This is a small drinking dish, not an adult snake, dragon, frog or tortoise basin. Tiny spiderlings may need a smaller receptacle.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Optional air-humidity monitor
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.