May have been duped into buying a "Purple" Tarantula...

CaraMia · Jun 30, 2014

A few weeks ago I purchased a "Purple Bloom Bird Eater" at a reptile show for $60. I asked for the scientific name and was told that it was a Xenesthis immanis but I noted that on the cup was written P. eq.

Now after a bit of research I am wondering if I instead have something in the Pamphobeteus family (perhaps P. insignis/"Columbian Purple Bloom"?). Not sure what the "eq" would be referring to, though.

I know that it can be hard to identify slings and neither Xenesthis immanis nor P. insignis seem to have a lot of information/pictures/care sheets, but could anybody help me to identify what species this is?

It's a beautiful specimen any way you slice it but I hope that I got a "purple" tarantula and did not get duped into buying something else entirely.... I also just want to make sure I am caring for the sling properly according to what species it is and not what species I think it is.

Thanks so much!

P.S. the first picture is of a molt, last 4 are of the actual sling.

scorpio948 · Jun 30, 2014

Looks to me like you got a Pamphobeteus

awiec · Jun 30, 2014

That is definitely a T from the Pamphobeteus family, Phormictopus and Xenesthis slings look totally different. As for eq that could refer to Ecuador, which there is a pamph known as P.sp Platyomma/Ecuador. If that is the case you were probably over charged as they got for about 40 for an inch. They are great spiders though, they are basically the more cheaper version of Xenesthis and can be cared for the same way. They also grow very fast, mine has jumped from 1 inch to 2.5 in 6 months. also at 3 inches you can generally tell genders as the males are more of a pink/purple color and the females are more of a brown/copper with some occasional purple. Though you need to wait until it starts getting adult colors as nearly all pamphs look the same as slings.

CaraMia · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks scoprio! Any idea what the "eq" part of the name would be?

awiec · Jun 30, 2014

CaraMia said:
Thanks scoprio! Any idea what the "eq" part of the name would be?

read my comment above, you will have to keep us updated with pictures as it grows, at 3 inches you can start eliminating certain species of pamphs.

CaraMia · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks for your reply, I posted my question at the same time you were posting an answer. I will have to keep an eye on him/her and see what I have when it's a little larger. Thank you!

awiec · Jun 30, 2014

CaraMia said:
Thanks for your reply, I posted my question at the same time you were posting an answer. I will have to keep an eye on him/her and see what I have when it's a little larger. Thank you!

Its a bit of toss up on if you got ripped off or not. Some pamph species are cheaper than 60, which are the more common ones but some are very pricey. But my bet is on P.sp Platyomma/Ecuador as that is the most available one. How the seller got those two slings mixed up is a mystery to me, pamph slings are recognizable when they are very small. There is also a P. sp Ecuador 2 so really who knows what you have.

antinous · Jun 30, 2014

As said, definitely a Pamphobeteus sp. and it can't be properly ID'd until it reaches a certain size. Pampho's are just as beautiful as Xenesthis species imo, so you still lucked out haha. For some of this genus, only the male will get the purple/pink coloration, the females may be a bit duller/not as brightly colored, but once again it's only certain Pampho species. Keep us updated!

CaraMia · Jun 30, 2014

I will have to post some more pictures as he/she grows. Maybe I overpaid/got ripped off but you live and learn... Either way it's a cute little sling so I'm hoping for a male so I still get purple (or pink)!

---------- Post added 06-30-2014 at 06:41 PM ----------

Sounds like with the Pamphobeteus I should be keeping him/her in a general terrestrial set-up with moderate humidity? Correct me if I'm wrong? Having a hard time finding care sheets especially without a full scientific name.

Philth · Jun 30, 2014

Pampho85 said:
As said, definitely a Pamphobeteus sp. and it can't be properly ID'd until it reaches a certain size.

I agree is definitely a Pamphobeteus, but don't think you will ever be able to ID it properly no matter what size. Most adult Pamphobetues are just big brown spiders that all look alike. And as already mentioned it will only turn purple on the last molt if its a male, then it dies.

As for being ripped off, I'd say yes you were. Regardless of the price, you were told it was a Xenesthis, and got a Pamphobeteus that you will never be able to correctly identify. I'm willing to bet you purchased this spider from a reptile supplier who sells spiders on the side, witch is one of my pet peevs. Any respected spider dealer would of known that was a Pamphobeteus. Personally, I'd want my money back.

Later, Tom

awiec · Jun 30, 2014

CaraMia said:
I will have to post some more pictures as he/she grows. Maybe I overpaid/got ripped off but you live and learn... Either way it's a cute little sling so I'm hoping for a male so I still get purple (or pink)!

---------- Post added 06-30-2014 at 06:41 PM ----------

Sounds like with the Pamphobeteus I should be keeping him/her in a general terrestrial set-up with moderate humidity? Correct me if I'm wrong? Having a hard time finding care sheets especially without a full scientific name.

I have mine in a terrestrial set-up with a half log for a hide. I generally provide a water-dish and then use a meat syringe to put several ounces of water under the surface as you will get the humidity without drawing mites. Though you need to keep it a little more moist until it gets to 2 inches as slings loose water much quicker than juvies and adults.

cold blood · Jul 1, 2014

Philth said:
I agree is definitely a Pamphobeteus, but don't think you will ever be able to ID it properly no matter what size. Most adult Pamphobetues are just big brown spiders that all look alike. And as already mentioned it will only turn purple on the last molt if its a male, then it dies.

As for being ripped off, I'd say yes you were. Regardless of the price, you were told it was a Xenesthis, and got a Pamphobeteus that you will never be able to correctly identify. I'm willing to bet you purchased this spider from a reptile supplier who sells spiders on the side, witch is one of my pet peevs. Any respected spider dealer would of known that was a Pamphobeteus. Personally, I'd want my money back.

Later, Tom

I disagree about being ripped off (had you paid X. imannis prices that would be different), that's about what Pamphobeteus sp. go for. The price alone was a giveaway that it wasn't X. imannis as they are generally a little more expensive than that. Look at dealer pricing and you'll find that most Pamph slings go for 60 bucks and up. Can you get em cheaper, yes, but not a whole lot, and generally only from a breeder, which wasn't your case. Sweet spider and 100% pampho, the "Christmas tree" abdomen is a dead giveaway. They are splendid eaters and fast growers.

awiec · Jul 1, 2014

cold blood said:
I disagree about being ripped off (had you paid X. imannis prices that would be different), that's about what Pamphobeteus sp. go for. The price alone was a giveaway that it wasn't X. imannis as they are generally a little more expensive than that. Look at dealer pricing and you'll find that most Pamph slings go for 60 bucks and up. Can you get em cheaper, yes, but not a whole lot, and generally only from a breeder, which wasn't your case. Sweet spider and 100% pampho, the "Christmas tree" abdomen is a dead giveaway. They are splendid eaters and fast growers.

P. sp Platyomma generally go for 40 for 1 inch, so as this is the most likely candidate then yes technically the OP was ripped off BUT pamphs are awesome so you won't be too sour about the higher price once you spend more time with the spider.

xhexdx · Jul 1, 2014

cold blood said:
I disagree about being ripped off (had you paid X. imannis prices that would be different), that's about what Pamphobeteus sp. go for. The price alone was a giveaway that it wasn't X. imannis as they are generally a little more expensive than that. Look at dealer pricing and you'll find that most Pamph slings go for 60 bucks and up. Can you get em cheaper, yes, but not a whole lot, and generally only from a breeder, which wasn't your case. Sweet spider and 100% pampho, the "Christmas tree" abdomen is a dead giveaway. They are splendid eaters and fast growers.

So you wouldn't feel ripped off if you were sold a different spider than what was advertised?

Did you read Tom's reasons for feeling ripped off? None of them had to do with price, at all. In fact, he even said, "Regardless of the price" in his post!

Again, the OP got a different spider than was advertised, and on top of that, will never be able to correctly identify it. There is no chance this spider will be breedable of the OP is a responsible keeper.

My vote - the OP was ripped off.

cold blood · Jul 1, 2014

xhexdx said:
So you wouldn't feel ripped off if you were sold a different spider than what was advertised?

Did you read Tom's reasons for feeling ripped off? None of them had to do with price, at all. In fact, he even said, "Regardless of the price" in his post!

Again, the OP got a different spider than was advertised, and on top of that, will never be able to correctly identify it. There is no chance this spider will be breedable of the OP is a responsible keeper.

My vote - the OP was ripped off.

Touche' I did in fact miss that somehow. Its a peeve of mine when others don't read everything properly, here I did that and missed his point myself...D'oh!

Pilth, sorry for missing your point.

CaraMia · Jul 1, 2014

Thanks everyone for all the replies (especially those defending me as a buyer!). Luckily I am not planning to breed so I am less concerned with that aspect. I just wanted to correctly identify/or at least narrow down what sling I had so I could give it proper care and a correct set-up.

I would like to ask for my money back but it was a table at a reptile show...may not every be able to find that vendor again even if I attended the same show. And I've gotten quite attached to the little guy, so now regardless of the species I probably wouldn't want to give him/her up. It stinks that I was sold the wrong spider but I'm not going to dwell on it. Live and learn.

I appreciate everyone who took the time to chime in that I definitely have something in the Pamphobeteus family, narrowing that down gives me a lot of good information to go on.

Thanks again!

awiec · Jul 1, 2014

CaraMia said:
Thanks everyone for all the replies (especially those defending me as a buyer!). Luckily I am not planning to breed so I am less concerned with that aspect. I just wanted to correctly identify/or at least narrow down what sling I had so I could give it proper care and a correct set-up.

I would like to ask for my money back but it was a table at a reptile show...may not every be able to find that vendor again even if I attended the same show. And I've gotten quite attached to the little guy, so now regardless of the species I probably wouldn't want to give him/her up. It stinks that I was sold the wrong spider but I'm not going to dwell on it. Live and learn.

I appreciate everyone who took the time to chime in that I definitely have something in the Pamphobeteus family, narrowing that down gives me a lot of good information to go on.

Thanks again!

You care for them all in about the same way, so you won't have to worry about the care aspect though I would do more research in the future about what slings look like of your desired species. Of course a lot of different genus have similar slings but things like pamphs are very distinctive when young. Pamphs are my favorite genus as they are pretty much everything you could want from a tarantula: Impressive to look at, eat well, grow fast ,hardy and generally are even tempered (not that you can hold it but aren't as cranky as OW).

Philth · Jul 1, 2014

CaraMia said:
I would like to ask for my money back but it was a table at a reptile show...may not every be able to find that vendor again even if I attended the same show., ....., Live and learn.

Thanks again!

Exactly what I hate about these shows. Shady dealers know this. That's why they will say anything to make a sale. It's not OK. At least now you know to ask for a business card or a way to contact them after the show. Good dealers often have stacks of business cards on their table and will hand you one at the point of sale.

Anyways just my 2 cents, no use in dwelling on it now like you mentioned. I do think you will love your Pamphobeteus witch ever species it may be. They are awesome spiders.

Later, Tom

dredrickt · Jul 2, 2014

There's good news and bad news with a situation like this. The bad news is that its not a Xenesthis. The good news is that its still a Pamphobeteus.

Pampho's are a cool species, I have 7 of them.

Poec54 · Jul 2, 2014

awiec said:
Pamphs are my favorite genus as they are pretty much everything you could want from a tarantula: Impressive to look at, eat well, grow fast ,hardy and generally are even tempered (not that you can hold it but aren't as cranky as OW).

So they're NOT everything I could want from a spider. If it's not as 'cranky as an OW', it still leaves something to be desired. It warms my heart to see NW's stand up in a defensive pose.

May have been duped into buying a "Purple" Tarantula...

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