Tarantula (Cobalt Blue) — Accessories & Essentials

Long-handled tongs and forceps are the single most important accessory for any Cobalt Blue Tarantula keeper. This species is notoriously fast and defensive, and reaching into the enclosure with bare hands for routine tasks like removing uneaten prey, adjusting the water dish, or spot-cleaning substrate is an unnecessary risk. A good pair of feeding tongs should be at least ten to twelve inches long, providing sufficient distance between your hand and the spider during all enclosure interactions.

Stainless steel tongs with rounded or rubber-coated tips are preferred over sharp-tipped varieties. Rounded tips reduce the risk of accidentally injuring the spider if contact occurs and provide a better grip on prey items and debris. Some keepers maintain two sets of tongs — one dedicated to feeding and prey removal, and a second for general maintenance tasks like repositioning cork bark or removing boluses. This separation helps prevent cross-contamination between food-related and cleaning tasks.

For feeding specifically, tongs allow you to present prey items precisely where you want them — near the burrow entrance, at a specific distance from the spider, or at ground level on the substrate. This controlled placement is far more effective than simply dropping prey into the enclosure and hoping it wanders near the burrow. Tongs also allow you to remove refused prey quickly and cleanly, which is especially important during pre-molt periods when lingering feeder insects can harass a vulnerable spider.

Small, angled forceps are useful for finer work such as removing tiny boluses, picking up shed exuviae for examination, or extracting debris from tight corners of the enclosure. These can be found in surgical supply or hobby shops and complement the larger feeding tongs in your maintenance toolkit. Together, a set of long tongs and a pair of fine forceps cover virtually every hands-off interaction you will need with your Cobalt Blue's enclosure.

A shallow, stable water dish is an essential accessory for the Cobalt Blue Tarantula. Despite the common misconception that tarantulas get all their moisture from prey, access to standing water is important for maintaining hydration, especially for a humidity-dependent species like the Cobalt Blue. The dish should be shallow enough that the spider cannot submerge itself — a depth of roughly half an inch for adults is sufficient. For spiderlings, a bottle cap serves as an appropriately sized water source.

Ceramic dishes are the preferred material because they are heavy enough to resist tipping when the spider walks over them and are easy to clean. Lightweight plastic dishes can be flipped or pushed around by an active spider, spilling water in unintended areas and leaving the animal without a reliable water source. Some keepers partially bury the dish in the substrate to further stabilize it and to create a natural-looking ground-level water source that the spider can access without climbing.

The water dish should be placed away from the burrow entrance to prevent water from seeping into the tunnel system. While the Cobalt Blue needs humid substrate, waterlogged burrows can promote mold growth and create unhealthy conditions inside the tunnel. Positioning the dish on the opposite side of the enclosure from the primary burrow entrance is a simple way to manage this. The spider will locate the water source on its own through exploration and will visit it as needed, typically during nighttime activity periods.

Misting bottles are a secondary hydration accessory used to maintain substrate moisture and ambient humidity rather than to water the spider directly. A fine-mist spray bottle allows you to lightly dampen the substrate surface and enclosure walls without creating puddles or disturbing the spider. Mist along the sides of the enclosure and on substrate away from the burrow, and avoid directing spray at the spider. Refilling the water dish and light misting every two to three days is generally sufficient to maintain appropriate humidity levels for this species.

Rehousing a Cobalt Blue Tarantula — transferring it from one enclosure to another — is one of the most challenging routine tasks in tarantula keeping, and having the right equipment makes the process safer for both the keeper and the spider. A catch cup is a clear, rigid container large enough to cover the spider completely. Deli cups, large plastic drinking cups, and purpose-made acrylic catch cups all work well. The cup should be transparent so you can see the spider's position and behavior during the transfer.

A flat, rigid piece of cardboard, plastic, or acrylic serves as the lid that slides beneath the catch cup once the spider is contained. The sequence is straightforward in concept: place the cup over the spider, slide the lid underneath, and lift. In practice, the Cobalt Blue's extreme speed and defensive nature make this process far more intense than with calmer species. Having your catch cup, lid, and destination enclosure fully prepared before you begin is essential. There should be no fumbling for supplies while a defensive Cobalt Blue is exposed and agitated.

Some keepers use a soft paintbrush with a long handle to gently guide a spider toward or into a catch cup. The brush provides a non-threatening nudge without putting fingers at risk. For Cobalt Blues that are deep in their burrows, rehousing often requires carefully excavating the substrate to expose the spider, which adds another layer of complexity. Having a second container ready to temporarily hold displaced substrate keeps the work area clear and organized during the process.

For spiderlings and small juveniles, smaller catch cups or even pill vials can be used for rehousing. The principles remain the same — clear container, flat lid, prepared destination — but the smaller scale makes handling easier. Regardless of the spider's size, never attempt to rehouse a Cobalt Blue by picking it up with your hands. This species will bite when cornered, and a bite from even a juvenile can be painful. The catch cup method is the standard practice for good reason, and investing in appropriate catch cups is one of the most practical accessory purchases a Cobalt Blue keeper can make.

Keeping a stock of substrate materials on hand is an often-overlooked essential for Cobalt Blue Tarantula keepers. Coconut fiber bricks, bags of organic topsoil, and sphagnum moss for moisture retention should be part of your regular supply inventory. Running out of substrate when a rehouse or emergency substrate change is needed creates unnecessary delays and stress. Coconut fiber bricks are compact for storage and expand significantly when hydrated, making them a space-efficient option for keepers with limited storage room.

A small hand sprayer or squeeze bottle is useful for targeted substrate moistening during routine maintenance. Rather than misting the entire enclosure, a squeeze bottle lets you add water precisely where it is needed — typically along the enclosure edges and in the deeper substrate layers away from the burrow. This targeted approach prevents oversaturation of the surface layers while keeping the lower layers appropriately damp for the spider's comfort.

Disposable gloves are a sensible addition to your maintenance kit. While you should not be handling the spider directly, gloves protect your hands during substrate changes, enclosure cleaning, and handling of decaying prey remains. They also prevent oils and residues from your skin from transferring to the enclosure surfaces and substrate. Nitrile gloves are preferred over latex for their chemical resistance and reduced allergy risk.

A small, dedicated dustpan and brush or a handheld vacuum reserved for invertebrate use can speed up substrate changes and cleanups. Keeping these tools separate from household cleaning supplies prevents cross-contamination with household chemicals that could harm the spider. Labeling your tarantula maintenance supplies clearly and storing them together in a designated container or bag makes routine maintenance faster and ensures you always have what you need within reach.

Proper labeling is an essential organizational accessory, particularly for keepers who maintain multiple tarantulas. Each enclosure should be clearly labeled with the species name, the date the spider was acquired or last rehoused, and any relevant notes such as the last feeding date or most recent molt date. Adhesive labels, index cards taped to the enclosure, or label maker strips all work well. For a species as defensive as the Cobalt Blue, having clear identification on the enclosure also serves as a warning to anyone else in the household who might not realize what is inside.

A record-keeping system — whether a simple notebook, a spreadsheet, or a dedicated app — is invaluable for tracking your tarantula's feeding history, molt schedule, and any behavioral changes over time. Recording the date and type of each prey item offered, whether the spider accepted or refused, and the date of each observed molt creates a dataset that helps you anticipate molts, calibrate feeding frequency, and spot early signs of health issues. Over a Cobalt Blue's potential twenty-year lifespan, this record becomes a comprehensive health history.

Storage containers for feeder insect colonies, substrate supplies, and maintenance tools help keep your tarantula-keeping operation organized and efficient. Stackable plastic bins with ventilation holes for cricket or roach colonies, sealed bags for unused substrate, and a dedicated toolbox or caddy for tongs, forceps, catch cups, and spray bottles reduce the time and effort required for routine care. Organization is especially important for keepers with multiple enclosures, where disorganized supplies can lead to missed feedings or inconsistent maintenance.

Emergency supplies are worth keeping on hand as well. A backup enclosure — even a simple plastic container with ventilation holes — allows you to quickly rehouse your tarantula if the primary enclosure is damaged or compromised. A basic first aid reference for tarantula keepers, including information on bite management and common invertebrate health issues, is a worthwhile addition to your supplies. Being prepared for the unexpected is a hallmark of responsible Cobalt Blue Tarantula ownership.

Safety accessories for working with a Cobalt Blue Tarantula are not optional — they are fundamental to responsible keeping. This species consistently ranks among the most defensive tarantulas in captivity, and its bite, while not dangerous to most healthy adults, produces intense localized pain, swelling, and muscle cramps that can persist for several days. Every interaction with the enclosure should be conducted with the assumption that the spider may bolt from its burrow without warning.

Long-sleeved shirts and eye protection are sensible precautions during rehousing or full enclosure maintenance when the spider is exposed and agitated. While urticating hairs are a concern with many New World tarantula species, the Cobalt Blue is an Old World species that does not possess them. Its primary defense is speed and biting, which makes physical barrier protection — keeping your hands and face away from the spider — more important than respiratory protection against hair flicking.

A well-lit workspace is important during any enclosure interaction. The Cobalt Blue's dark coloration can make it difficult to see against dark substrate, especially inside a burrow. A small flashlight or headlamp helps you locate the spider before opening the enclosure and track its position during maintenance. Knowing exactly where the spider is at all times reduces the risk of accidentally provoking a defensive strike.

Keep all enclosure maintenance tools within arm's reach before you begin any work. Once you have opened the enclosure and potentially disturbed the spider, you do not want to be reaching across the room for a forgotten catch cup or set of tongs. Prepare your workspace completely, confirm the spider's location, and then proceed with confidence. Calm, deliberate movements are always safer than rushed or startled reactions. The Cobalt Blue responds to sudden motion and vibration, so steady hands and a measured pace are your best safety accessories of all.