I have a few scorps which i love but now id like to start with some spiders. :woohoo: Whats a good T to start with? not a curly or rosea . :whistle:

I've only been in the hobby a short while, as you know, but I think that qualifies me perfectly to answer your question as I've done some research on the topic.

So here is my list:

1. G. Pulchra (Brazilian Black) Apparently they make awesome pets for novices. Docile, slow and beautiful. Not particularly prone to flicking hairs either. The only potential downside, is the price they command. I've read quite a few posts by owners who claim they are actually alot more docile and less likely to threaten or bite than a G. Rosea.

2. B. Smithi and B. Boehmei. (Mexican Redknee and Mexican Fireleg) I would imagine any of the Brachypelma genus would be suitable, but I find these 2 the most beautiful. In the looks department, I think B. Boehmei is the winner, but I believe they are a bit more skittish than Smithi and extremely prone to hair flicking. B. Smithi is more pricey though.

3. G. Pulchripes. (Chaco Golden Knee) Fairly common, but a nice looking spider.

4. A. Geniculata. (Giant White Knee) I wasn't too interested in this species until I saw one in the flesh. It is quite a striking looking spider. I handled this one, and although it didn't like it, there was no threatening posturing or hair flicking and it settled down soon enough. Also fairly common and not too expensive. I'll be adding one of these to my collection once I get a display cabinet made.

I would stay away from Aboreals, but if you are keen on that, then my choice would be anything in the Avicularia genus.

Hope that helps.

These are some of the "Starter" Tarantulas that most people begin with (excluding Curly and Chilean). Some might agree that they not starters but depends what you looking for, one you can hold (not recommended at all for any specie), how often will you see them ect.

5. Lasiodora parahybana (Brazilian Salmon Pink Tarantula)

The champion is here for many reasons as I have found more and more people recommending LP as the best beginner's Tarantula. Firstly, it can grow to a huge size of 10" in weed growing speed (read: VERY VERY VERY fast). Growing from a 1" spiderling to 6" in a year is not rare. It is also available in abundant due to the large number of eggs in one sac. If genic is the champion of glutony, the LP is not very far behind. But a LP is a lot more docile. I have seen people handling 9"-10" specimen with no problem as the Tarantula just sat contently and move slowly. But don't push it because the fangs can cause mechanical damage (the urticating hair is moderately itchy). It is also very visible, usually hang out in the open for you to marvel at. Be prepare to get a big tank for this one! A 10" LP needs minimum a 20-gallon tank to show off!

4. Grammostola aureostriata (Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula)

The chaco is like a genic, with less black, "golden" knee and less white stripes. It can also grow to a huge 8" but at medium-slow speed (more slow than medium but definitely faster than a Chilean Rose). It makes up for that with a very docile attitude. I have never heard of a "psycho chaco". The urticating hair is a moderately itchy but it won't use it often, if at all. Three other pluses are good appetite, no specific humidity requirement and slow speed.

3. Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Red Knee Tarantula)
This terrestrial Tarantula is another hobby classic and commonly seen on movies! It is beautiful, slow moving, slow growing (adult size is around 6") and docile. Some specimen will be prone to flicking moderately itchy hair (staying true to its Brachypelma heritage). It also has no specific humidity requirement but hates wet substrate and is not the best eater.

2. Brachypelma vagans (Mexican Red Rump Tarantula)

This terrestrial Tarantula is velvety black with bright red abdomen hair. It is one of the faster grower of the Brachypelma genus (if not the fastest) - up to around 6". It is generally slow moving and docile but can have some unpredictable stretch of skittishness (and hair flicking - its urticating hair is moderately itchy). The plus is that it is good with food and has no specific humidity requirement.

1. Acanthoscurria geniculata (Brazilian Giant White Knee Tarantula)

This specie is velvety black with white/yellow stripes on its legs. It can grow quickly to a huge 8" leg span with bulky body. You will often find your genic hungry, ready to eat and crushing its prey in multiple bites - the crunching sound is quite entertaining. Ok, that's kinda not true. You will find your genic ALWAYS hungry and ready to eat - there is just no limit to its stomach, probably the most hungry specie in the top 10. It has no special humidity requirement but seems to enjoy a bit of misting. This is one of the best specie as a display Tarantula because it simply does not understand the concept of hiding and has no problem hanging out in the open, regardless of the many eyes staring at it. The biggest draw back is that this specie loves to flick extremely itchy hair at disturbance.

Well from what i have read any of the Brachypelma or Grammostola family is a good and hardy T to start with.

Ok.What I can add from my experience in the few short years that I've been in the hobby is that:

1.In my opinion...Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Red Knee) is "THE" best beginner species out there.Very docile and calm and cool Tarantula to own.

2.I would go for Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black) as the 2nd. best Tarantula to add to your collection.But as been told,they are a bit pricey...but definately worth every single penny.You won't be dissapointed,trust me. I would not rate Grammostola rosea as a good beginner species.Some individuals can be down right bastards and unpredictable aswell.

3.Eauthlus spec. "Red" (Chile Flame) are also decent pets.They however don't grow to be large Tarantula's,and take forever between each molt cycle,so that would make them really slow growers.

Just my 5c worth.

My opinion it is how comfortable you are with spiders, if your are very comfortable then id say, a
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)
Acanthoscurria geniculata (Brazilian Giant White Knee Tarantula)
Lasiodora parahybana (Brazilian Salmon Pink Tarantula)