Aphonopelma mooreae (Mexican Jade Fuego Tarantula)

Aphonopelma mooreae (Mexican Jade Fuego Tarantula)

The Mexican Jade Fuego Tarantula, or Aphonopelma mooreae, is a highland tarantula from the Yécora region of Sonora, Mexico. Adults of this species have blue legs, a bright green carapace (head), and a fiery orange abdomen, the jade and fuego combination that gives the species its name. Spiderlings do not start out colorful and the adult colors come in around 2 to 2.5 inches, while the species only grows to about 6 inches in diagonal leg span. Like others in the genus, along with Brachypelma, this species lives a long time, with females living 20 to 30 years while males live 3 to 5 years. This species is also very calm and forgiving, and one we recommend for beginner keepers or anyone who wants an easier keeping experience. Grab this docile new world tarantula for sale today, offered here as a spiderling or juvenile female.

Why do hobbyists keep Aphonopelma mooreae?

• Jade And Fuego Coloration: This species pairs a bright green carapace with blue legs and a fiery orange abdomen, the same jade and fuego combination that gives it its name.
• Docile Temperament: This is a calm, slow moving tarantula that rarely acts defensively, even when it is disturbed.
• Great Beginner Species: Slow growth and an easygoing temperament make this a great choice for a first Aphonopelma, or a first tarantula altogether.
• Great Display Species: This species stays out in the open on the surface rather than staying hidden below ground, so there is usually something to see.
• Rare In The Hobby: This is a genuinely rare species in the hobby, harder to source than most Aphonopelma and often sold out again shortly after it comes back in stock.

How should Aphonopelma mooreae be kept?

• Enclosure: Sized in three stages so the enclosure is never bigger than the animal needs at each point in its growth. Good ventilation is critical. Cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over-misted. Exact dimensions for each size are on that size's own page.
• Rehousing: Each size page states the remaining cage sizes and roughly how long each one lasts at this species' growth rate.
• Temperature: Keep this species between 65 and 75°F, in line with the cooler, arid highland range it comes from. Typical indoor room temperature works well without any extra heating.
• Humidity: Water it and let it dry rather than keeping it damp. Aim for substrate that dries out within about a day after you add moisture, and never let it sit soaking.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: We recommend prey size from a pinhead cricket up to a cricket about a quarter the length of the leg span, depending on the size you choose. Feed at least once a week at every stage, spiderlings included.
• Temperament: Docile and unlikely to act defensively, more likely to retreat than stand its ground when startled.

Which size should I choose?

• 0.33-0.5" Spiderling: our most affordable entry into this rare species, with the full jade and fuego coloration still ahead of it.
• 1-1.5" Juvenile Female: a confirmed female already past the earliest, most delicate stage, with color starting to show.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

• Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred.
• Slow Grower: This species is notoriously slow growing, even for an Aphonopelma, typically taking 5 to 6 years to mature. We suspect part of the reason is that it comes from highland pine and conifer forest in Sonora that sees a real winter, and we do not recreate that seasonal cold snap here, which may be part of what slows its growth.