
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Tapinauchenius plumipes
An arboreal tarantula with a dark purple-tinged body and long slender legs. The trade name Tapinauchenius violaceus is now treated as a synonym of this species. It is extremely fast and builds tube webs against bark.
Tapinauchenius plumipes was described by C. L. Koch in 1842 as Mygale plumipes and became the type species when Ausserer erected the genus Tapinauchenius in 1871. It lives in humid tropical forest in Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the Brazilian states of Para and Amazonas. A 2022 revision of the genus synonymised both T. violaceus and T. gigas (Caporiacco, 1954), long used as trade names, with this species. Colour is variable: the typical form is dark grey with an olive sheen on the carapace, while animals traded as the violaceus form are dark purple with a green sheen. In captivity a vertical enclosure of roughly 20 by 20 by 35cm with anchor points for webbing is recommended, at 25-27 C by day and a few degrees cooler at night with humidity near 80 percent. The venom is weak and the spider is not aggressive, but its speed and jumping make it unsuitable for beginners.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Purple Tree Spider lives Females 8-12 years / males 2-3 years.
The Purple Tree Spider grows to Body about 6cm (female) and 3.5cm (male), leg span about 10cm.
Females reach about 6cm in body length and leg span is around 10cm in both sexes.
The ideal temperature for the Purple Tree Spider is 25〜27℃.
Origin
Northeastern South America (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the Brazilian states of Para and Amazonas)
Sources: Polish Wikipedia: Tapinauchenius plumipes (husbandry) / Wikipedia: Tapinauchenius plumipes / GBIF
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Tapinauchenius plumipes (C. L. Koch, 1842)
Synonyms: Mygale plumipes C. L. Koch, 1842, Tapinauchenius violaceus (Mello-Leitão, 1930), Tapinauchenius gigas Caporiacco, 1954
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
Lifespan
Females 8-12 years / males 2-3 years
Size
Body about 6cm (female) and 3.5cm (male), leg span about 10cm
Temperature
25〜27℃
Active live insects such as crickets and roaches
Keep 25-27 C by day and a few degrees cooler at night. Aim for humidity near 80 percent, dampening the substrate and walls regularly while keeping airflow.
Use a vertical enclosure of about 20 by 20 by 35cm with cork bark set upright as an anchor for webbing. A shallow substrate layer is sufficient.
It prefers active live prey such as crickets and roaches, and responds best when food is dropped near the web entrance.
The venom is weak and the spider is not aggressive, but it is extremely fast and jumps well. Lacking urticating hairs, it defends itself mainly by fleeing.
Escape during maintenance is the main risk, so secure the lid and check for gaps. Females produce an egg sac 1.5 to 5 months after mating, usually containing 80-200 eggs. The orange animals long called T. gigas in the hobby are not this species but Amazonius germani, so check the scientific name when choosing by colour.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Purple Tree Spider is 25〜27℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Purple Tree Spider is Females 8-12 years / males 2-3 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Purple Tree Spider typically reaches Body about 6cm (female) and 3.5cm (male), leg span about 10cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Purple Tree Spider feeds on: Active live insects such as crickets and roaches. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Purple Tree Spider varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026