communal species questions

[lee smith]

hi all

i was just wondering what species are known to be able to live communally? and which could probly live communally?

im wanting to put a list together so that i can setup some tanks so that i can study the relationships and communication between them.

thanks in advance

lee smith

[Kain Prestwood]

I know Pokies are good at living communally, and Avic avics are at times (in large enclosures)

I think there the only ones..

Kain

[Nicola Dolby]

Hi Lee,
on the subject of Poecilotheria, please be careful. Whilst some are very social some are normally very antisocial and it would be a shame to lose half your spiders to cannibalism. The obvious two that are ok are P. regalis and P. formosa, you can add to that (I believe) P. rufilata, P. miranda and P. subfusca (if you can afford it). However P. ornata are a no-no and from what I have gathered stay away from P. metallica, P. striata, as well. As for P. tigranawesselli, P. pederseni and P. fasciata I haven't a clue. The trick is to keep them in reasoably close contact so as not to allow them to become territorial as they grow sup. All the best.

[Richard Goram]

I've heard that H.gigas can live together quite succesfully. Never tried any communal tanks myself but it's definitely something I'd like to do in the future.

[Adam Smith]

Some pokies and avics can be communal but depends really. There have been people experimenting with this and more seem to be able to be kept communal but dont confirm it. Basically I have a pair of P fasciata and another with a trio of P formosa and they all live happily. Just make sure they arent kept in large tanks otherwise they will munch each other.

[lee smith]

i hoping that once i have a list put together, i will start doing actual reaserch and recording in to the way that each species behaves and interacts with each other.

i will be working on one species at a time so that i can give it my full attention and get as much recorded information as possible.

once i have each piece of research i will write it up and submit it for publish in the journel.

[Mikhail F. Bagaturov]

Hi!
The only one species I never heard on cannibalistic to each other being keeping communaly is Holothele incei.
Pokie's and Avic's as well can eat each other, even the famouse communal once.

[Robin Johannessen]

I have decided to try out a little communal setup with 4 NFC P.murinus.
I will recive the spiders next week. Will come back with more info after they have spendt some weeks togheter.

Hope this will work!

Regards
Robin

[Colin D Wilson]

Robin, that sounds like a serious project you'll have to keep a close watch on.
Saying that i'm very interested in the outcome (and maybe some pictures if possible)
Keep us posted

[Robin Johannessen]

Colin D Wilson
I think I will have to supply them with a lot of food, and many shelters.
I will tryit to deny them to much space, in order to prevent territorial behaviour.
I cross my fingers and will try to take some pictures


Regards
Robin

[Colin D Wilson]

Robin,

My thoughts were the same about keeping them very much like communal Poecilotheria spp
territorial behaviour would appear to me as the main problem, but like you say lot's of hiding areas, close quarters and plentiful food may be the answer.

Very best of luck.

Colin

[Nicola Dolby]

Good luck Robin, though I think you'll have fun wn they grow up and realise the difference between male and female. Hope it works though,
Nicola

[Rich.Harrington]

This is exactly the thing I want to do in time, and also the entire reason for me getting a T in the first place and such. So to anyone who is running these kind of setups, can you post pictures of the setups please to give me an idea of what works, what doesnt etc.

[KJ Vezino]

Check this out:
An awesome communal setup for Holothele incei

http://www.arachnofreaks.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3325&TPN=1

[Nicola Dolby]

Absolutely incredible. I'd be delighted to own a setup like that