Zebra pleco
Hypancistrus zebra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 79–86°F (26–30°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.1 in (8 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 15 gal (55 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Origin
- Brazil
- Family
- Loricariidae
Overview
The zebra pleco is a small, peaceful loricariid that does not school and is fine kept singly or as a pair, or in a small colony for breeding. Unlike many plecos it is not an algae eater but a carnivore, so feed protein-rich foods such as frozen bloodworms, sinking meaty pellets, and gel foods rather than relying on greens. It sits low among rock and wood and is peaceful with calm tankmates, though it defends a favorite cave. It demands warm, spotless, oxygen-rich water. Provide caves, smooth stone, and gentle current, in a tank around 55 liters or larger.
In the wild
Hypancistrus zebra lives only in the Rio Xingu in Brazil, in warm, clear, fast, and highly oxygenated water flowing over rock. Recreate that with a warm range of 26 to 30 degrees C at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, plus strong flow and excellent oxygenation. Because warm water holds less oxygen, extra surface movement helps. Use a scape of smooth rounded stones and slate caves with clean sand, and keep nitrates low with frequent water changes, as this fish is unforgiving of poor quality.
Good to know
This striking loricariid, catalogued as L046, reaches only about 8 centimeters and wears bold black and white stripes over an armor of bony plates. Its sucker mouth grips rock in current, but unlike grazing plecos it feeds mainly on meaty foods. It is a cave spawner: the male tends the eggs and guards the fry inside the cave until they can leave, and it is bred with moderate difficulty in captivity.
Did you know
Wild zebra plecos come from a single stretch of the Rio Xingu, and habitat loss from the Belo Monte dam plus heavy collection for the trade led Brazil to ban their export. Almost every zebra pleco sold today is captive-bred.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- Dan's Fish Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with a live arrival guarantee
- Aqua Huna Freshwater fish, shrimp and plants with a three day live arrival guarantee
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Zebra pleco?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Queen Arabesque Pleco (L260)
Hypancistrus sp. L2603.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Colombian Zebra Pleco (L129)
Hypancistrus debilittera3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Mega Clown Pleco (L340)
Hypancistrus sp. L3403.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)
King tiger pleco (L066)
Hypancistrus sp. L0665.1 in (13 cm)40 gal (150 L)79–84°F (26–29°C)Orinoco Angel Pleco (L201)
Hypancistrus sp. L2015.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Snowball pleco (L102)
Hypancistrus inspector5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (113 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)