Vietnam Blue Tarantula

Chilobrachys dyscolus Care Guide

Vietnam Blue Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Chilobrachys dyscolus, commonly known as the Vietnam Blue Tarantula, is a striking Old World fossorial species native to Vietnam. This species is highly sought after for its deep blue iridescence, which becomes more pronounced under proper lighting. Known for its fast growth rate, aggressive feeding response, and heavy webbing, C. dyscolus is an excellent species for experienced keepers looking for an active and visually stunning fossorial tarantula.

Like other members of the Chilobrachys genus, this species is defensive, incredibly fast, and not recommended for beginners. It thrives in a deep burrow with ample webbing opportunities, making it an exciting species to observe in a well-designed enclosure.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Chilobrachys dyscolus

• Common Names: Vietnam Blue Tarantula

• Type: Fossorial (Obligate Burrower)

• Category: Old World

• Native Range: Vietnam

• Size: Up to 6” (15 cm) DLS

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Life Expectancy: Females ~12–15 years; Males ~3–4 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Advanced

• Urticating Hairs: No

• Venom Potency: Strong (potentially medically significant)

Taxonomy, Etymology & Natural Environment

Chilobrachys dyscolus belongs to the Chilobrachys genus, a group of Old World tarantulas found across Southeast Asia, known for their high-speed movements, defensive nature, and excessive webbing behavior. The genus name Chilobrachys is derived from Greek, meaning “lip arm,” while dyscolus translates to “difficult” or “troublesome,” an appropriate name given its temperament in captivity.

This species inhabits the humid forests of Vietnam, where it constructs deep burrows in compact soil, often reinforcing them with thick silk webbing. Like other fossorial tarantulas, C. dyscolus spends most of its time underground but will emerge at night to hunt and maintain its burrow. In captivity, providing deep substrate, proper ventilation, and webbing anchors is crucial to replicating its natural environment.

Behavior & Temperament

C. dyscolus is a highly defensive, fast-moving species that will not hesitate to bite if disturbed. Unlike New World species, it lacks urticating hairs and instead relies on its potent venom and incredible speed to escape threats. This species is known for creating intricate, tunnel-like webbing structures around its burrow, making it one of the most fascinating fossorial species to observe in captivity.

Due to its aggressive feeding response and quick movements, rehousing and enclosure maintenance should be approached with caution. This species is best suited for keepers who are comfortable managing Old World tarantulas.

Housing & Substrate – Fossorial Setup

Check out Tarantula Cribs for the BEST fossorial tarantula enclosures. Use code TTC10 to save 10%!

Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: OG Sling Crib, 3” Tarantula Cube, 4” Tarantula Cube

• Substrate: Fill at least 2/3 of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Humidity: Keep the substrate slightly damp but not swampy. Provide a tiny water dish if space allows or drip water onto webbing weekly.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Crib 360-4” Fossorial, 5” Hex Crib, 6” Tarantula Cube, 8” Cube

• Substrate: Fill ½ to ¾ of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude to support deep burrowing.

• Humidity: Let part of the substrate dry out while keeping one corner slightly damp by overflowing the water dish occasionally.

• Additional Features: Cork bark or dried leaves as web anchors.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: 8” Hex Crib, Crib 360-8” Fossorial, 12” Tarantula Cube, 18” Tarantula Cube

• Substrate: Fill at least ½–¾ of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Additional Features: A deep burrow setup is essential. I like to add some branches or plants so they can web up around their burrow entrance as well.

Tarantula Cribs offers the best enclosures—use code TTC10 for 10% off.

Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: 70–78°F (21–26°C)

• Humidity: 50–60%

• Ventilation: Ensure good airflow to prevent stale conditions.

• Water Dish: Keep one filled and overflow occasionally to maintain a moisture gradient.

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

• Frequency:
  Feed twice a week.

• Prey:
  Offer small prey such as flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or pre-killed tiny crickets/roach nymphs. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. increase the size of the prey as the spider grows. Prekill any prey that is over 2/3 the size of the sling. For more detailed information on feeding spiderlings, watch this video: How To Feed Spiderlings & Scorplings (Baby Tarantulas & Scorpions)

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 24–48 hours after a molt before feeding. Ensure that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is not soft or shiny.

Juveniles

• Frequency:
  Feed every 7–10 days.

• Prey:
  Provide 2–3 small to medium crickets or a medium Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the widest part of the carapace, feed more prey more often.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, feed less prey, less often.
    This strategy helps prevent obesity, which can lead to molting complications or increase the risk of an abdomen rupture from even a small fall.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 3–7 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Adults

• Frequency:
  Feed every 2–3 weeks (or as needed).

• Prey:
  Offer 4–5 large crickets or one large Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the carapace’s widest part, increase feeding frequency.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, reduce feeding frequency.
    This is crucial to avoid obesity, which can interfere with proper molting or cause dangerous issues such as an abdomen rupture.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 5–10 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Breeding Chilobrachys dyscolus in Captivity

(general outline, specifics under revision)

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Males: Reach maturity in 2–3 years.

• Females: Reach reproductive maturity in 4–5 years.

• Pairing: Introduce the male into the female’s enclosure at night, ensuring multiple escape routes for him.

Mating Process

• Males initiate courtship with palp drumming and leg tapping.

• If receptive, the female will allow insertion before retreating.

• Males should be removed immediately after mating to prevent potential predation.

Egg Sac Production

• Females produce an egg sac 4–6 months post-mating.

• Egg sacs contain 80–200 eggs.

• Maintain 75-80°F (24-27°C) with high humidity (75-80%).

Raising Spiderlings

• First instar spiderlings emerge 6-8 weeks post-sac.

• Feed pinhead crickets or fruit flies every 3-4 days.

• Provide high humidity with proper airflow.

Challenges & Considerations

• C. dyscolus’s speed and defensiveness make pairing tricky.

• High humidity balance is critical to avoid dehydration or mold growth.

• Ethical breeding is crucial to reducing wild collection and sustaining this species in the hobby.

Final Thoughts

Chilobrachys dyscolus is an impressive species that combines intense webbing behavior, speed, and striking blue coloration. While its care requirements are manageable for experienced keepers, its defensive temperament and potent venom make it unsuitable for beginners. This species is best enjoyed as a display tarantula, where its elaborate burrows and webbing can be fully appreciated.

Due to its limited distribution and conservation concerns, supporting captive breeding efforts is essential to reduce the need for wild collection and preserve populations in the hobby. If you’re looking for a rare, high-energy fossorial species with an incredible feeding response, C. dyscolus is a great addition to a well-maintained collection.

Additional Recommendations

For enclosures, consider Tarantula Cribs (TTC10 for 10% off), and use Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for substrate. For legal captive-bred tarantulas, check out Spider Shoppe (TTC10 for 10% off).