Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (Green Bottle Blue)
Last updated: May 13, 2026
This is not a care guide. If you are interested in keeping this species, please research its husbandry thoroughly before purchasing. Tom's Big Spiders has species-specific husbandry notes that are a solid place to start.
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, almost universally known in the hobby as the GBB or Green Bottle Blue, is probably the most visually striking tarantula you can buy. It has teal-blue legs, a vivid orange-red abdomen, and a metallic green carapace. Nothing else in the hobby looks like it, and photos genuinely do not do it full justice in person. It is native to the Paraguaná Peninsula in Venezuela, where it lives in dry, scrubby habitat and builds elaborate webbed retreats in vegetation.
Females reach around 5 to 6 inches in legspan and can live 12 to 14 years. This is not a giant species, but the coloring more than compensates for the size.
The Webbing
One of the most enjoyable things about keeping a GBB is watching what it does to its enclosure. This species is a prolific webber that will sheet-web over substantial portions of its space, creating dense tunnel systems and draped webbing that look genuinely impressive. A well-established adult in a spacious enclosure is a sight. The webbing also means the spider is often out in visible positions rather than buried underground, which makes it a good display animal.
The downside is that maintenance can be a bit disruptive because you will inevitably disturb the web. The spider will rebuild, but some keepers find it a nuisance if they need to go in often.
Temperament
The GBB is not the most relaxed new world species. It will not rear up into a threat display at the drop of a hat, but it moves quickly and is prone to bolting unexpectedly during enclosure work. It also kicks urticating hairs readily, and the hairs from this species are considered more irritating than average. Gloves or washing hands thoroughly after any enclosure work is a good idea.
It is generally placed in the intermediate category: not difficult to keep, not particularly reactive in the sense of posturing or striking, but fast enough and flighty enough that beginners who are not comfortable with a spider that moves quickly might find it stressful to work around.
Is This a Good Fit for You?
If you want the most visually spectacular tarantula available and are comfortable working around a fast, somewhat flighty spider, the GBB is hard to beat. It is active, often visible, and the coloring only gets better as spiderlings mature into adults. The webbing behavior makes it entertaining to watch in a way that many terrestrial species are not.
If you are a newer keeper who is still getting comfortable with tarantulas in general, this one is probably not the right first choice. The speed and the hair-kicking would be more manageable once you have some experience working around new world species. But if you have kept a curly hair or a rose hair and feel ready to move up to something with more personality and better looks, the GBB is a natural next step.
Prices have come down considerably over the past decade. It used to command a premium that put it out of reach for casual purchases, but it is now widely available at accessible price points.
Current Prices
FAQs
Is the Green Bottle Blue good for beginners?
It depends on the beginner. The GBB is not particularly reactive in terms of threat displays, but it is fast and prone to bolting, and it kicks urticating hairs readily. If you have some comfort working around new world tarantulas already, it is manageable. If this would be your first spider, there are calmer options to start with.
Why does the GBB look so different as a spiderling?
Spiderlings and juveniles have noticeably different coloring than adults, often appearing more orange and gold. The full adult coloration develops over multiple molts and becomes progressively more vivid. This is part of why GBBs are so popular: watching the color develop over time is genuinely satisfying.
How often does Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens molt?
Like most tarantulas, molting frequency slows as the spider matures. Slings and juveniles will molt more frequently, sometimes a few times a year. Adults may go a year or more between molts. A pre-molt GBB will typically web up heavily and stop eating.
Does the GBB have urticating hairs?
Yes, and it uses them readily. The urticating setae from C. cyaneopubescens are considered to be on the more irritating end among new world species. Avoid touching your face after working around one, and wash your hands thoroughly.