Of all the Loricariids available, the Hypancistrus zebra is actually pretty easy to keep they need consistent water parameters, good filtration, and the ability to eat without getting stressed out. pH should stay between 6.5 and 7.0 with KH between 2 and 6. Any temperatures colder than that will not allow your zebra pleco to thrive. The water temperature should remain slightly higher than for average tropical fish, between 79 and 86° F (26 and 30 ° C). Smaller pebbles can also be used to create additional caves or perching areas. These conditions most likely won’t be compatible with keeping any live plants, but you can try keeping hardier species like Anubias and Java fern.Ī sandy substrate is preferred to prevent your zebra from scratching its belly and its barbels. Powerheads are recommended and an airstone will help keep oxygen levels up. These freshwater fish need a lot of water movement and aeration. For the price of these fish, you will want to make sure that your tank size and setup is more than adequate. Zebra plecos are difficult aquarium fish because they tend to do best on their own and in exact water conditions a biotope aquarium featuring those conditions and species found in their natural habitat in South America would probably be the best option for these fish.Īlthough they are small fish, it is best to keep them in a tank size of at least 30 gallons (113.5 L) so that you can provide plenty of hiding places and rocks for them to feel like they’re in their natural habitat. How big do zebra plecos get?įully grown zebra plecos can reach a maximum size of 2.5-3.5 inches (6.4-9.9 cm) long. When handling these fish in nets, make sure that their dorsal fin does not get caught. The females tend to have rounder heads compared to the males and have finer hairs on their pectoral fins. The dorsal fin can expand exceptionally high and barbels can be found around the suckermouth area. If you’ve seen a zebra, you can imagine what this fish looks like, having bold black and white alternating stripes. While the exact number is unknown, hobbyists have reported their zebra exceeding 10 years of age in their aquarium. Because of this, the species has been placed on the endangered list and certain members of Hypancistrus have been banned from export. This hydroelectric dam has caused the water current to slow and has affected the livelihood of the zebra pleco population. The Belo Monte Dam was recently constructed at the northern end of the Xingú River. The substrate is usually sandy with smooth rocks and stones intermixed. As nocturnal fish, they are found in deeper areas among the crevices of rocks and fallen trees. This basin is a freshwater tributary of the Amazon River with fast-moving and highly oxygenated waters. The zebra pleco is native to the Rio Xingú basin in Brazil, South America. As of April 2020, eight species of Hypancistrus have been described. In the L-system–a scientific classification of catfish in the Loricariidae family–these fish are also known as L046 and L098. Hypancistrus zebra is also known as the zebra pleco or the imperial pleco. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about zebra pleco care and keeping one of these fish in your own aquarium. Also given their very expensive price, the zebra pleco should only be kept by experienced hobbyists. These highly-desirable fish are simply beautiful but require a biotope carefully curated for the species and need extra care and attention. If you’re looking to introduce a bit of the African safari into your freshwater fish tank, then the black and white striped zebra pleco will bring life and vibrancy to the bottom of your aquarium.
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