A fast, glossy New World arboreal tarantula from South American rainforests, shimmering deep purple-violet in good light. Long sold in the hobby as Tapinauchenius violaceus, which was synonymized with T. plumipes in 2022; one of the speediest tarantulas in the hobby — calm but quick to bolt.
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Medium arboreal tarantula, leg span around 12-13 cm (about 5 in); slender-bodied and long-legged.
Lifespan
2–9 years
Social needs
solo
Native region
Tropical rainforests of South America (Brazil, French Guiana and surrounds).
Origin
New World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Family
Theraphosidae
Genus
Tapinauchenius
Part of the Tarantulas
Theraphosid spiders kept as low-maintenance display invertebrates. New World species are generally docile with mild venom but bear irritating urticating hairs, while Old World species lack those hairs but tend to be fast, defensive, and have more potent (though rarely life-threatening) venom.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Juvenile / sub-adult arboreal
8 × 8 × 12 in (juvi) → 10 × 10 × 14 in (sub-adult)
Tall enclosure with vertical cork-bark slabs reaching most of the height, cross-ventilation, 2–3 in of substrate, and a water dish. Arboreals web a tube-retreat against the bark rather than burrow. Purple tree tarantulas (Tapinauchenius violaceus) are fast new-world arboreals — tall enclosure with a tight cork-tube retreat and slightly damp substrate.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Adult arboreal vivarium
12 × 12 × 18 in, vertical
Vertical footprint with multiple cork verticals, plants or fake foliage for cover, and front-opening access. Humidity is maintained via substrate moisture and a deep water dish, not by sealing off airflow.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Planted arboreal bioactive
12 × 12 × 24 in+, bioactive planted
Tall bioactive vivarium with live plants, dense cork-bark verticals, leaf litter, and a springtail/isopod cleanup crew. Cross-ventilation panels at top and bottom prevent stagnant air, which arboreals are intolerant of.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
These invertebrates lay eggs — often in a guarded clutch, a silk sac (spiders), or a brood (carried by female isopods). The eggs are small and soft and develop without a true larval or pupal transformation.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles hatch as miniature versions of the adult and grow by molting their exoskeleton (or, in snails, by enlarging the shell). They gain size, segments, or leg pairs and gradually take on adult coloration with each molt.
Adult
Adults reach full size and reproductive maturity with the species' mature form and coloration. Many arachnids and myriapods continue to molt as adults, and sexes can differ in size or in specialized appendages.
Habitat & enclosure
Arboreal: height matters more than floor space. A tall enclosure around 20 x 20 x 35 cm (taller than wide) suits an adult, with a vertical cork bark tube for it to web a retreat inside. Maintain 21-27 C (70-80 F) and 70-85% humidity by keeping substrate lightly moist and providing a water dish. Ensure good cross-ventilation. No UVB required.
Substrate
A few inches of moist coco fiber/peat at the base maintains humidity and softens any fall. Keep it lightly damp, never waterlogged; the spider spends most of its time off the ground in its bark tube.
Equipment & setup
Tall, escape-proof enclosure with a secure lid and cross-ventilation, a vertical cork bark tube anchored firmly, a shallow water dish, and a hygrometer/thermometer. A catch cup and long forceps make rehousing this very fast species safer. Supplemental heat only if the room runs cool, on a thermostat.
Diet
Insectivore. Offer crickets, dubia roaches, or locusts no larger than the spider's abdomen. Slings every few days; juveniles and adults about once a week. These spiders often ambush prey near or inside their silk tube. Remove uneaten prey and do not feed near a molt.
Behavior & temperament
A New World species but lacking urticating hairs, so it relies on speed and bolting rather than hair-kicking. Generally not overtly aggressive, but exceptionally fast and skittish — the genus is considered among the fastest tarantulas. Bites are possible if cornered; venom is mild (typical New World), but the real risk is an escape during rehousing. Best treated as a display species, not handled.
Health
Hardy and fast-growing. Main risks are falls from height (provide some substrate depth to cushion) and dehydration in overly dry, overly ventilated setups — keep the water dish full and substrate lightly damp. Fasts before molting; leave it undisturbed until the new exoskeleton hardens.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Do all rehousing inside a large clear tub — these spiders can cross an enclosure in a blink. Mist lightly rather than soaking to keep humidity up without mold. Their iridescent purple is most visible under bright, indirect light against dark cork. A great intermediate "first arboreal" once you're comfortable with speed. Note that dealers still use the old name "violaceus" for purple-toned individuals, but the valid species is T. plumipes.
