New Handler, Looking for Pointers (Pharis, the T in question)

[Brekarma]

(Species: Cyriopagopus Lividus
Stage: Juvenile
Last Malt: 19th June 2025
Owned since: 27th June 2025)

Hi everyone,

I’m fully aware of faux pas that is owning a Cyriopagopus Lividus as your first spider, but Pharis (Not sexed yet) was given as a gift to me.

I’ve done a fair amount of research since I was very little and haven’t owned one at all due to my knowledge of how difficult they are to care for. I’m an adult man now, with the confidence and part-knowledge to feel like I can handle this without the pride of thinking I know everything about this species.

With that out of the way, are there any early tips anyone is able to throw my way on caring for these guys?

The poor thing was rehoused almost immediately by the store, thankfully into a larger enclosure but failed to add the 6” of substrate needed really, so I’m hesitant to rehouse them so soon after the last. I’m going to preparing and cultivating (my missus grows some appropriate plants in the room already to start clipping and using) the next Vivarium

Pharis has been eating regularly up until the last week, though I’ve noted some higher than wanted humidity. (I AM concerned about potential bloating)
Their Abdomen was rather thin and almost saggy looking when I got them, but the improvement looks almost TOO much
Temperature is reading good and solid around the clock between 24-27 degrees celcius
Was feeding well until this Sunday, part ate a cricket and took a whole large one (prekilled) to the den and swapped them out. (Extracted the previous one to prevent rot)

Pharis has only ONCE been seen scaling the side of the Vivarium and that was shortly after I’d added additional substrate to the far side of the enclosure, hoping they’d take to it (I’d inadvertently closed a gap at the back of a long bark tunnel, and Pharis set about it pretty quick webbing the floor and entryway, as well as a “Summerhouse” they’ve taken to using, which they’ve also webbed up)

Any hints, tips, tricks or advice will be greatly appreciated, I am not taking this responsibility lightly

Cheers for any help guys

​

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

The best advice I can give if you have studied your husbandry and it seems you know something of what you have temperament wise is to plan your rehouses as carefully as possible. With Cyriopagopous the easiest rehouse is to get a big enough enclosure to just sit it in and let the spood come out on its own. I have kept or am keeping Cyriopagopous von Wirthi, Schmidti, Minax, and Bach Ma. Never kept a Lividus but they are supposed to be the baddest of the bad boys!!! When I have to go to the catch cup method their modus operandi is to attack, attack and when it don't die finally bolt literally at the speed of light! If there is anyway around the catch cup ever so slightly they out and the fun is on. Leave no room for escape! Number# 1 with this species be careful of course. Happy Spoodering!!

 

[Brekarma]

The best advice I can give if you have studied your husbandry and it seems you know something of what you have temperament wise is to plan your rehouses as carefully as possible. With Cyriopagopous the easiest rehouse is to get a big enough enclosure to just sit it in and let the spood come out on its own. I have kept or am keeping Cyriopagopous von Wirthi, Schmidti, Minax, and Bach Ma. Never kept a Lividus but they are supposed to be the baddest of the bad boys!!! When I have to go to the catch cup method their modus operandi is to attack, attack and when it don't die finally bolt literally at the speed of light! If there is anyway around the catch cup ever so slightly they out and the fun is on. Leave no room for escape! Number# 1 with this species be careful of course. Happy Spoodering!!

Wonderful thank you so much!

I did expect that the rehousing was gonna be the hard part; I watched Pharis move about 8” in less than a second.

Also got the Humidity under control which was a concern of mine.

Any tips around molts? Theirs is due quite soon

 

[x_raphael_xx]

I think as long as you're prepared, you'll be okay.
I managed to rehouse my adult female with a catch cup and no issues, but she was kinda sluggish, so I got lucky.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

Wonderful thank you so much!

I did expect that the rehousing was gonna be the hard part; I watched Pharis move about 8” in less than a second.

Also got the Humidity under control which was a concern of mine.

Any tips around molts? Theirs is due quite soon

If I believe a molt may be coming I will typically feed a hornworm for their good moisture content and always keep the water bowl full . Other than that I just leave them alone, don't disturb and let mother nature take it's course! Depending on spiders size wait to feed again to let their exoskeleton harden. General rule of thumb is 2 weeks for adults and for smaller T's the post molt food withholding can be a little shorter. Mostly though concentrate on your basic husbandry for this or any species and things go typically well. Good luck!

 

[Brekarma]

If I believe a molt may be coming I will typically feed a hornworm for their good moisture content and always keep the water bowl full . Other than that I just leave them alone, don't disturb and let mother nature take it's course! Depending on spiders size wait to feed again to let their exoskeleton harden. General rule of thumb is 2 weeks for adults and for smaller T's the post molt food withholding can be a little shorter. Mostly though concentrate on your basic husbandry for this or any species and things go typically well. Good luck!

If I believe a molt may be coming I will typically feed a hornworm for their good moisture content and always keep the water bowl full . Other than that I just leave them alone, don't disturb and let mother nature take it's course! Depending on spiders size wait to feed again to let their exoskeleton harden. General rule of thumb is 2 weeks for adults and for smaller T's the post molt food withholding can be a little shorter. Mostly though concentrate on your basic husbandry for this or any species and things go typically well. Good luck!

Awesome, I noticed Pharis had ejected a part eaten cricket from their hide and pulled a fresher prekill in (cricket was a LITTLE large so I thought it best) but hasn’t eaten and has sat snug in the hide. They’ve webbed up a significant amount more on one side of this hide too, haven’t really seen them move more than around the inside of the hide (about a 5” long 3.5-4” wide hide).

It seems like Molt behaviour, and was 3 weeks ago on the dot yesterday, so I’ll keep my eye on them. I always thought Molting was gonna be my most stressful time, so I’m sort of glad I’ve got a Juvenile, as it’s gonna happen a fair bit

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

Awesome, I noticed Pharis had ejected a part eaten cricket from their hide and pulled a fresher prekill in (cricket was a LITTLE large so I thought it best) but hasn’t eaten and has sat snug in the hide. They’ve webbed up a significant amount more on one side of this hide too, haven’t really seen them move more than around the inside of the hide (about a 5” long 3.5-4” wide hide).

It seems like Molt behaviour, and was 3 weeks ago on the dot yesterday, so I’ll keep my eye on them. I always thought Molting was gonna be my most stressful time, so I’m sort of glad I’ve got a Juvenile, as it’s gonna happen a fair bit

You have me at a bit of a loss because you say they,them as there is more than one Tarantula in this hide. Please tell me it is only Pharis...lol. Two Cyriopagopous, even of the same species will end in disaster. The only true communal species is considered to be Monocentropus Balfori. Though others can be kept communal when Juvies, but there is always a risk of cannabalism and as they mature the risk becomes greater. Basically never,never keep two T's in the same enclosure.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Insane that this species if your first, but I think you could make it work.

Just be extremely careful doing maintenance/rehouses etc.

 

[Brekarma]

You have me at a bit of a loss because you say they,them as there is more than one Tarantula in this hide. Please tell me it is only Pharis...lol. Two Cyriopagopous, even of the same species will end in disaster. The only true communal species is considered to be Monocentropus Balfori. Though others can be kept communal when Juvies, but there is always a risk of cannabalism and as they mature the risk becomes greater. Basically never,never keep two T's in the same enclosure.

I haven’t been able to Sex Pharis yet as “it” is still a very young juvenile according to the store.

I’d never put more than one in an enclosure that’s just a horror waiting to happen.

I do apologise for the confusion

 

[Brekarma]

Insane that this species if your first, but I think you could make it work.

Just be extremely careful doing maintenance/rehouses etc.

Believe me, I know. My parents got Pharis for me outside of my knowledge and didn’t research the species at all.

I’m aware of their speed and their propensity to Bite and Dash as opposed to hiding.

At least they didn’t get me an OBT as my first I’ve been obsessed with Cobalts since I was very little, but never asked for one because I KNEW I wasn’t ready then.

But yeah, Feet First into the Fire it seems for me. Things ARE going well so far, just a tad nervous atm cause Pharis is up to Molt soon (calendar wise anyway, 3 weeks ago and Pharis is still a Juvie) so I’m still nervous about the lack of eating.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

I haven’t been able to Sex Pharis yet as “it” is still a very young juvenile according to the store.

I’d never put more than one in an enclosure that’s just a horror waiting to happen.

I do apologise for the confusion

All good! I thought that was the case I wanted to be sure ..lol.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

Believe me, I know. My parents got Pharis for me outside of my knowledge and didn’t research the species at all.

I’m aware of their speed and their propensity to Bite and Dash as opposed to hiding.

At least they didn’t get me an OBT as my first I’ve been obsessed with Cobalts since I was very little, but never asked for one because I KNEW I wasn’t ready then.

But yeah, Feet First into the Fire it seems for me. Things ARE going well so far, just a tad nervous atm cause Pharis is up to Molt soon (calendar wise anyway, 3 weeks ago and Pharis is still a Juvie) so I’m still nervous about the lack of eating.

My brother you have perhaps the most defensive T in the hobby though they may be a few others that vie for the crown! I have raised two OBTs that have maled out and passed and on my third and my OBTs have been sweet hearts next to any of my Cyriopagopous . IMHO the Cyriopagopous family and Asian fossorials in general are the knarliest of the knarly!!! Stay on point my friend and you can do it ! When I got back in the hobby my first T's were all old world and I had only kept 3 docile new worlders like 30 plus years ago so it can be done. BTW I like your T's name. Cool!!

 

[Brekarma]

My brother you have perhaps the most defensive T in the hobby though they may be a few others that vie for the crown! I have raised two OBTs that have maled out and passed and on my third and my OBTs have been sweet hearts next to any of my Cyriopagopous . IMHO the Cyriopagopous family and Asian fossorials in general are the knarliest of the knarly!!! Stay on point my friend and you can do it ! When I got back in the hobby my first T's were all old world and I had only kept 3 docile new worlders like 30 plus years ago so it can be done. BTW I like your T's name. Cool!!

Pharis has holes themselves up; I know burrowing behaviour and seclusion is normal for these guys, does this seem more like molting behaviours? The second image Pharis has fully walled off one side and left the headless cricket outside

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

Hard to tell exactly how deep your substrate is but Pharis needs deep slightly moist substrate. Is she is climbing a lot still as you indicated? Her sealing herself inside her cork bark is for her to feel secure if she cannot dig. These guys are highly fossorial and may explain some of the behaviors your seeing . After looking at the pic again I think she needs more substrate. Happy Spoodering!

 

[Brekarma]

Hard to tell exactly how deep your substrate is but Pharis needs deep slightly moist substrate. Is she is climbing a lot still as you indicated? Her sealing herself inside her cork bark is for her to feel secure if she cannot dig. These guys are highly fossorial and may explain some of the behaviors you’re seeing . After looking at the pic again I think she needs more substrate. Happy Spoodering!

definitely, but there’s been no other signs of stress. The rehome a few weeks ago was already a fair bit and caused that response. Since then, Pharis was eating well, I’ve been keeping the substrate damp and have added a deeper “mound” at the far end of the Vivarium, but they refuse to use it.

They’ve taken a shining to these logs as of now, and I’m cautious to rehome so soon after the last.

There’s no other signs of stress; no balding or anything of the sort. Climbing has completely stopped.

I'm aiming to get the next one prepped asap.

6-8” substrate, 2’x2’ vivarium, natural plantation inside the works.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

definitely, but there’s been no other signs of stress. The rehome a few weeks ago was already a fair bit and caused that response. Since then, Pharis was eating well, I’ve been keeping the substrate damp and have added a deeper “mound” at the far end of the Vivarium, but they refuse to use it.

They’ve taken a shining to these logs as of now, and I’m cautious to rehome so soon after the last.

There’s no other signs of stress; no balding or anything of the sort. Climbing has completely stopped.

I'm aiming to get the next one prepped asap.

6-8” substrate, 2’x2’ vivarium, natural plantation inside the works.

You shouldn't worry about Pharis balding. OW spiders don't have urticating hairs and don't bald. Why I like my old world spiders so much!! Lol. If she is webbed in her cork and this is where she chose to be not much you can do. Definitely keep use updated how you and Pharis are coming along. Lividus are beautiful and always on my radar!!! Happy Spoodering!