Fringed jumping spider (Portia fimbriata)

Short answers

Fringed jumping spider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

20×20×30 cm (tall format, dense structure of bark and branches, a humid microclimate).

Fringed jumping spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Fringed jumping spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 1–2 years (average ~1.5 years).

Fringed jumping spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Fringed jumping spider: Can several be kept together?

Keeping them singly is essential – solitary and cannibalistic, and additionally araneophagic (it deliberately eats other spiders).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 %

Enclosure

Minimum size

20×20×30 cm (tall format, dense structure of bark and branches, a humid microclimate)

Substrate

Coco humus, leaf litter, moss, cork; damp (a rainforest or savannah microclimate)

Feeding

Food

Araneophagic – it prefers other spiders (including web-builders); it sometimes takes insects or flies; a demanding feeder

Feeding interval

adults ~1–2×/week, juveniles more often (every 1–2 days)

Key facts

Adult size

females 6.8–10.5 mm, males 5.2–6.5 mm (body length)

Life expectancy

approx. 1–2 years (average ~1.5 years)

Origin

Northern Australia (WA, NT, Queensland) and South-East Asia; savannah woodland to rainforest, rock and cave margins

Protection status

Not CITES-listed; no special protection. Of Australian origin - export strictly regulated, usually captive-bred animals.

Brumation

None (a tropical species)

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is essential – solitary and cannibalistic, and additionally araneophagic (it deliberately eats other spiders). NEVER keep males together; mate them only very briefly and under supervision.

Notes

A highly specialised, intelligent spider hunter (it uses prey vibrations and aggressive mimicry). Not a beginner's species: its prey is preferentially other spiders, so the food supply is a lot of work. Its biology, size and distribution are well documented; some concrete husbandry figures are derived.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Algerian jumping spider (Cyrba algerina) – Intermediate
• Arched jumping spider (Evarcha arcuata) – Intermediate
• Bronze jumping spider (Hyllus semicupreus) – Beginner
• Peacock jumping spider (Saitis barbipes) – Intermediate
• Diard's jumping spider (Hyllus diardi) – Beginner
• Three-spotted jumping spider (Pellenes tripunctatus) – Intermediate
• Canopy jumping spider (Phidippus otiosus) – Beginner
• Golden-eyed jumping spider (Heliophanus flavipes) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Fringed jumping spider (Portia fimbriata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (20×20×30 cm (tall format, dense structure of bark and branches, a humid microclimate)), substrate (Coco humus, leaf litter, moss, cork; damp (a rainforest or savannah microclimate)), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.