Citharacanthus cyaneus

Citharacanthus cyaneus

Citharacanthus cyaneus is a Cuban endemic — a species known only since 1994 and still uncommon in collections. Its signature is a distinctive "mask": the cool violet-blue sheen of the carapace set against warm orange accents. It is a contrast that draws the eye even in a young specimen.

In the wild it digs burrows beneath rocks, roots and natural debris, shifting its activity to the night. In the terrarium it surprises with its calm — unlike many of its relatives it is not easily excitable and shows no pronounced defensive tendency. It is a hardy species, tolerant of moderate swings in humidity, which makes it a gratifying subject to observe. Adults reach around 5 cm DC — a species of moderate proportions.

A terrestrial enclosure with a layer of substrate deep enough to burrow and a cork oak bark retreat suits it well. Room temperature is sufficient; keep the substrate mostly dry with one regularly misted area and a water dish for larger specimens. As a New World species it has urticating hairs, though it rarely resorts to them.

This is a species for the patient beginner who wants more than a "safe first choice" — hardy, calm, and genuinely beautiful. Citharacanthus cyaneus pairs easy husbandry with a beauty usually reserved for more demanding species.