Neoholothele incei (Trinidad Olive)
Last updated: May 8, 2026
Neoholothele incei is a dwarf tarantula from Trinidad and Tobago, and it punches well above its weight class in terms of personality. Maxing out around 2.5 inches in legspan, it is one of the smaller species you will find regularly available in the hobby, but it makes up for that with near-constant activity and prolific webbing. This is a species for keepers who appreciate watching interesting behavior in a small package.
An enclosure with a well-established N. incei is genuinely fun to look at: fine webbing covering much of the space, with a small spider darting around inside. It is not a slow, sit-and-wait tarantula. If your shelf is full of spiders that hide all day, adding an incei is a good way to have something you can actually watch.
The Gold Form
You will sometimes see N. incei listed as either "olive" or "gold" in vendor catalogs. These are two distinct color forms of the same species. The standard olive form is the more common one, with a brownish-olive coloring. The gold form has warmer, more amber tones and tends to command a higher price. Both have the same care requirements and temperament. If you have a preference, it is worth specifying when you order, though availability of the gold form can be inconsistent.
Is This a Good Fit for You?
N. incei is a great choice if you have limited space and still want an active, interesting tarantula. A small enclosure and this spider will take care of the rest. It is not a handling species and it can move fast when disturbed, but it is not particularly defensive and is not going to cause you real problems during routine husbandry.
If you are looking for a large, impressive display species, this clearly is not it. But if you appreciate watching a busy little spider go about its day and building a web city in a small enclosure, the incei is genuinely hard to beat. It is also affordable and consistently available, which makes it an easy addition to a collection of any size.
Current Prices
FAQs
What is the difference between the olive and gold forms?
The olive form is the standard, more commonly available version with brownish-olive coloring. The gold form has warmer amber tones and is less frequently stocked. Both are the same species with identical care needs. The gold form typically sells for more due to lower availability and the more striking coloring.
How big does Neoholothele incei get?
Around 2 to 2.5 inches in legspan as adults. It is a true dwarf species, which makes it appealing for keepers with limited space or those who just want something smaller in their collection.
Is Neoholothele incei good for beginners?
It can be a reasonable choice for newer keepers, though it is small and fast, which can make feeding and maintenance a bit trickier than working with a larger, slower species. It is hardy and not particularly defensive, and the small enclosure size keeps the stakes relatively low. If you are patient and careful, it is manageable.
What does "Trinidad Olive" refer to?
It is a common name for the species that reflects both its origin (Trinidad) and its general coloring. You will also see it called simply "incei" in the hobby, which is the common shorthand keepers use.