Communal tarantulas are tarantulas that are compatible to be kept in the same tank safely and without worrying about whether they’ll get along or not. Not all tarantulas are appropriate communal tarantulas, so you’ll need to design your community tank carefully.
Some of the best communal tarantulas include:
- Monocentropus Balfouri
- Holothele Incei
- Poecilotheria
- Hysterocrates Gigas
Not all tarantula species are meant to be kept together. Some species will get aggressive towards other spiders, and spider cannibalism might occur (sexual cannibalism among specimens of the same species is also possible).
That’s why you’ll need to carefully consider which spider species you’ll have in the same tank, and how you’ll keep them together.
Best Communal Tarantulas
When setting up a communal tank, the first thing you’ll want to consider is which species are the best communal tarantulas that you’ll consider.
One important thing you’ll need to know here is that the vast majority, or all tarantulas, are not communal in nature. It just turns out that some tarantulas will tolerate other tarantulas better, which is why they’re often used for communal tanks.
With that in mind, these are the best communal tarantulas that you can consider for your communal tank.
1. Monocentropus Balfouri
The Monocentropus Balfouri is a tarantula species that’s been known to humans since 1897. Another name for this species is the Socotra Island Blue Baboon.
It has earned this name because of its blue appearance and its stunning appearance, but it’s also one of the most widely preferred tarantula species for communal tanks. Compared to most other baboon species, they’re not as aggressive.
If you spend some time on community forums reading about the best communal tarantulas, you’ll see that M Balfouri will be one of the most widely recommended species out there, and for good reason. Many people report having a good experience when it comes to keeping these as a communal species.
They seem to go along well with other tarantulas and will not get aggressive towards other members of the tank, which means that cannibalism is not very likely.
Related: Old World vs New World Tarantulas
2. Neoholothele Incei
Although the Neoholothele Incei, also called the Trinidad Olive spider, is among the fastest-moving tarantula species, it can still be kept as a communal tarantula if you care for the spiders correctly.
The most important thing with this species is that you’ll need to provide enough food for all spiders in the tank to prevent cannibalism. Failing to do that might result in unwanted behaviors such as aggression, deaths, and cannibalism.
Other than that, this spider exhibits a semi-social behavior where it will likely cooperate with other spiders on some occasions, but also keep to itself on other occasions.
You’ll also be impressed by the large-scale webs that these spiders make if given the opportunity, so make sure they have ample space to express themselves.
3. Poecilotheria Tarantulas
The Poecilotheria group of tarantulas is also widely believed to be a good tarantula group of spiders for communal tanks.
Poecilotheria rufilata, vitatta, miranda, subfusca, formosa, pedeseni, and regalis tend to be the most widely recommended Poecilotheria species for communal tanks.
Keep in mind that these spiders can be very territorial, especially the mature spiders of these species. The younger spiders will not show aggression but adults can, especially if given enough space.
Why is that?
Because the more space a spider gets, the more territory it will have to defend, and the more aggressive it can get towards other spiders. So make sure you don’t give them a lot of space in the tank so they don’t get territorial.
4. Hysterocrates Gigas
Research shows that H. Gigas might be able to live in communal tanks, especially if they are given ample food and rearing sack mates.
Spiderlings will be able to grow only if you provide them with ample food. You’ll also be able to prevent cannibalism if you provide enough food for all members of the tank, so keeping a good amount of attention to this will be the key to having a stable tank.
In nature, H Gigas are not communal spiders, but they will be able to survive in a community tank if you decide to keep them that way. This means that this species is not primarily a communal species, but it can be kept that way if you provide them with the right living conditions and enough food.
Tips for a Successful Communal Tank
Here are some things that you might want to keep in mind if you decide to have a communal tank.
- It’s best to start a communal tank with spiderlings, not adults. If you’re a first-time owner of a communal tank, then it might be more beneficial if you start with spiderlings instead of adults. This will allow spiderlings to grow together and get used to each other quickly.
- Don’t give them too much space! This is one of the most common mistakes beginners make when keeping tarantulas in communal tanks. Giving them too much space will make them more territorial, so make sure they’re close to each other.
- If one spider separates from the group, keep them in another terrarium. You’ll want to have a nice community of spiders that will work together to survive, so if you spot a spider that’s not doing that, you’ll want to keep it in a separate tank.
- You can start with anywhere between 2-7 spiderlings. Starting with 7 might be the best though since you’ll ensure that there will be males and females and they will breed, so you will be able to keep the communal tank going if you want.
MORE TARANTULA GUIDES:
- List of the Most Venomous Tarantulas
- List of the Most Docile Tarantulas
- How Long can a Tarantula Live without Food?
- Tarantula vs Other Spiders – Key Differences
- Are Tarantulas Reptiles?
- Can Tarantulas Climb Walls?
Conclusion
Tarantula communal tanks are possible, but you’ll need to keep a close eye on a few key details.
Firstly, you’ll want to keep the right types of communal tarantulas. You’ll need to carefully consider which spiders you’ll keep in the tank. Then, making sure they get enough food and proper treatment will also be necessary.
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