Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra)

Common Name:

Zebra Pleco.

Other Name:

L46, Zebra Peckoltia, (L98 and L173 are questionable synonyms).

Scientific Name:

Hypancistrus zebra.

Family:

Loricariidae.

Distribution:

Rio Xingu, Brazil.

Size:

3.5 inches.

Diet:

They eat almost any regularly considered aquarium food besides algae. All small live foods are fair game as are most green foods (especially blanched zucchini and spinach) and even some tablet and flake foods.

Water Temperature:

73 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 26 degrees Celsius).

Water Chemistry:

Very soft to moderately hard water is appreciated.

pH:

6-7.5.

Life Span:

10-15 years.

Minimum recommended tank size:

20 gallons for an individual and 40 gallons for a small shoal.

Sexing:

Males have a thicker "pectoral spine" (first ray of the pectoral fin) and are broader both near the head and near the pectoral region.

Description:

These are white fish in the general mould of Peckoltia spp., but they have beautiful black striping, which gives them their common name. No two H. zebras have the same stripe pattern.

Behavior:

These are shy nocturnal fish, which will not out-compete most bottom-dwellers when it comes to feeding time. They are territorial and such territory will center on a small retreat into which one or two Zebra Plecos will fit (though another conspecific is not often invited to share in the retreat when breeding isn't imminent or there isn't a nest of eggs/fry to guard).

Zebra Plecos will fight over retreats if insufficient desirable ones are provided them.

Natural Conditions:

The rocky bottoms of fast-flowing and well-oxygenated water that is literally littered with schlock (especially rockwork) in which this fish may take refuge.

Breeding:

To stimulate their reproductive processes, these fish need warm water, a retreat big enough for two, high-quality live foods (this point is arguable as they have spawned while eating prepared foods) and strong water circulation throughout their retreat. The eggs are then laid on the roof of the cave and the males defend the clutch with some ferocity.

The young take a while to fully utilize their yolk sacs and then move on to small live foods and some dry foods. Eventually, they will be able to take some easily digestible green foods. After about three months, if given frequent partial water changes, they may attain almost one inch in length.

Miscellaneous:

Though called the Zebra Peckoltia by some, H. zebra was never formally placed in any other genus, nor has it been given any synonyms to date. Further useful reading on common plecs can be done at these excellent sites.
www.planetcatfish.com
www.scotcat.com

Photo Credit:

Photo supplied courtesy and ^©lighter.