Zebra pleco

Hypancistrus zebra

Also known as L046, L098, L173

FreshwaterFish

Zebra pleco (Hypancistrus zebra) — Peaceinpianos · CC BY-SA 4.0

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
Diet: Carnivore
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity: Very rare
Family: Loricariidae
Origin: Brazil

Overview

The zebra pleco is a small, peaceful loricariid that sits low among rock and wood. It needs a warm, rocky tank with caves, and it suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Wild zebra plecos come from a single stretch of the Rio Xingu. 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.

Caring for the zebra pleco

Keep a zebra pleco singly or as a pair in a tank of 15 gal (55 L) or more. It does not school, but a small colony works if you want to breed them. Build a scape of smooth rounded stones and slate caves over clean sand.

It demands warm, spotless, oxygen-rich water at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Give it strong flow and excellent oxygenation, and add extra surface movement, since warm water holds less oxygen. Keep nitrates low with frequent water changes, because it is unforgiving of poor water quality.

Unlike many plecos, the zebra pleco is a carnivore rather than an algae eater. Feed protein-rich foods such as frozen bloodworms, sinking meaty pellets and gel foods rather than relying on greens.

It is peaceful with calm tank mates, though it defends a favorite cave. It is a cave spawner, and the male tends the eggs and guards the fry inside the cave until they can leave. Breeding it in captivity is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Hypancistrus zebra is a loricariid, listed in the trade as L046. It wears bold black and white stripes over an armor of bony plates. Its sucker mouth grips rock in current.

In the wild

The zebra pleco lives only in the Rio Xingu in Brazil, in warm, clear, fast and highly oxygenated water flowing over rock.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The zebra pleco is a peaceful, solitary 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a zebra pleco need?

A zebra pleco needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a zebra pleco need?

A zebra pleco is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a zebra pleco eat?

A zebra pleco is a carnivore rather than an algae eater. It eats protein-rich foods such as frozen bloodworms, sinking meaty pellets and gel foods instead of greens.

How big does a zebra pleco get?

An adult zebra pleco reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does a zebra pleco breed?

Zebra plecos spawn in caves. The male tends the eggs and guards the fry inside the cave until they can leave. Breeding them in captivity is moderately difficult.