Colombian zebra pleco (L129)
Hypancistrus debilittera
Also known as L129, False Zebra Pleco, Columbian Zebra Plec
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 79–86°F
- 26–30°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Origin
- Rio Bita and Rio Meta in the Orinoco basin of Colombia.
Overview
A dwarf pleco happy in a tank of 75 liters or so, often kept in small groups. Feed a protein-rich diet of sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp, since it is a poor algae eater and needs meaty food to thrive. Sociable with its own kind but males will squabble over caves, so provide several narrow hides.
In the wild
Lives in warm, rocky, moderately flowing tributaries of the Colombian Orinoco, tucking into stone crevices and among sunken wood. As a Hypancistrus it is a carnivore, working over the substrate for insect larvae and small invertebrates rather than grazing algae. Wants caves, some current, and clean oxygenated water.
Good to know
Described as Hypancistrus debilittera and nicknamed the false zebra because its wavy pale lines on a dark body recall the true zebra pleco Hypancistrus zebra without the crisp banding. It stays small at around 8 to 9 cm. The pattern varies a lot between individuals.
Did you know
It is one of the cheapest and hardiest zebra-patterned Hypancistrus, which makes it a common first step for hobbyists working up to the pricey true zebra pleco.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Colombian zebra pleco (L129) is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Brilliant rasbora
Rasbora einthovenii
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Kuekenthal's halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali
Freshwater3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Vampire shrimp
Atya gabonensis
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Fairy dwarf cichlid
Biotoecus opercularis
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)
Pygmy rainbowfish
Melanotaenia pygmaea
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–84°F (23–29°C)
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Colombian zebra pleco (L129) need?
A Colombian zebra pleco (L129) needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Colombian zebra pleco (L129) need?
A Colombian zebra pleco (L129) is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Colombian zebra pleco (L129) get?
An adult Colombian zebra pleco (L129) reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Related species
3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Mega clown pleco (L340)
Hypancistrus sp. L340
3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)40 gal (150 L)79–84°F (26–29°C)King tiger pleco (L066)
Hypancistrus seideli
5.1 in (13 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Orinoco angel pleco (L201)
Hypancistrus sp. L201
5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (113 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Snowball pleco (L102)
Hypancistrus inspector
5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (113 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Bandit pleco
Hypancistrus furunculus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Queen arabesque pleco (L260)
Hypancistrus sp. L260
3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)