Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens Care Sheet
Welcome to the world of Eight Legged Beauties, where we turn fuzzy fear into fascination! Today we’re shining the spotlight on one of the hobby’s most dazzling showpieces — the Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, better known as the Green Bottle Blue Tarantula. With neon-blue legs, a bright orange abdomen, and a webbing habit that turns its home into a lace-work of silk, this species combines beauty and behavior like few others.
Meet the Species
Scientific name: Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
Common name: Green Bottle Blue (GBB) Tarantula
Type: Terrestrial / semi-arboreal (heavy webber)
Native to: Northern Venezuela (Paraguaná Peninsula)
Adult size: ~4–6″ diagonal leg span (≈10–15 cm)
Temperament: Skittish, fast, bold display behavior; not recommended for frequent handling
Lifespan: Females ~12–14 years; males ~4–5 years
Experience level: Beginner → Intermediate (for keepers comfortable with more active species)
Fun Fact:
With its brilliant metallic-blue legs and fiery orange abdomen, the Green Bottle Blue looks like it was painted for a sci-fi movie. It also builds extensive webs around its enclosure — meaning your display can look as dramatic as the spider itself.
Setting Up Their Home
In the wild, this species inhabits arid, tropical shrublands and desert-edge zones in northern Venezuela where it constructs silk-lined retreats under sparse vegetation and web tunnels near the ground.
Enclosure Tips
• For spiderlings: Small ventilated container, about ~3× their leg span in width
• For juveniles: Medium terrestrial-style enclosure, width ~3-4× leg span
• For adults: Larger box, but wider than tall (avoid tall arboreal setups) — width ~3-5× leg span
• Orientation: Prioritize floor space over height; though they web up higher, they are terrestrial and a high fall risks injury
• Security: Well-ventilated lid, no gaps, secure enough to prevent escape (they’re active!)
Substrate
Use about ½ to ⅔ of the enclosure depth of:
Organic topsoil / Terra Aranea (or similar mix)
Keep it firm but diggable
For slings: maintain one slightly damp corner; for adults: mostly dry with a moist retreat zone
Add a hide like cork bark, a fake plant, or half a flowerpot. A shallow water dish is essential, even if rarely used.
Temperature & Humidity
Setting Ideal Range Tips
Temperature 70-80°F Room temp is usually fine. Avoid heat lamps or direct sunlight.
Humidity 45-60% Lightly moisten one corner of the substrate. Don’t overdo it!
Ventilation High Proper airflow prevents mold.
Pro Tip:
Keep the bottom layer slightly damp and the top layer dry it mimics how they’d burrow into cooler, moist soil in the wild.
Feeding Time
Spiderlings
Feed 2× per week
Pinhead crickets, fruit flies, or tiny roaches
Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours
Juveniles
Feed every 7–10 days
2–3 small crickets or one medium roach
Adults
Feed every 2–3 weeks
4–5 large crickets or one adult Dubia roach
Tip:
A healthy tarantula’s abdomen should be roughly the same width as its carapace.
Too plump = overfed. Too thin = time for a snack.
After a molt, always wait until the fangs are black again before offering food.
(Usually 24–48 hrs for slings, up to a week or more for adults.)
Behavior & Temperament
This is a fast, active tarantula; rarely staying still for long. It has one of the boldest feeding responses in the hobby and can bolt if disturbed.
This species is a show-stopper: extremely visual with a prolific web-making habit, but also skittish and fast when disturbed.
• Spiderlings: Very active, webbing many anchor points, skittish retreats when startled
• Adults: Still very active, often visible on web mats, feeding response strong, quicker than many beginner species
• Handling: Not recommended; their speed and potential to flick urticating hairs make them better for observation than handling
Observation tip:
Look for heavy webbing development across the enclosure; this is a sign your GBB is comfortable and building its “home theatre.” Increased webbing often precedes a molt.
Common Challenges
Too damp: Mold and mites increase ventilation
Too dry: Dehydration or failed molts
Overfeeding: Lethargy or injury from bloated abdomen
Frequent handling: Stress and hair kicking
Also watch for escape attempts; this species is fast and can dart out if the lid isn't secure.
Final Thoughts
The Green Bottle Blue Tarantula is a spectacular display spider, combining electric color, strong web-building behavior, and a relatively straightforward care regime — provided you keep things on the drier side and prioritize visibility over handling. For keepers who love watching and photographing active tarantulas, this species delivers big. With the right enclosure setup, substrate care, feeding, and environment, your GBB will be a vibrant, lasting member of your collection.