The first thing to bear in mind is that this fish is nocturnal. Your pleco is a hardy fish and receives the usual acclimation to any aquarium. 15 x Lemon bristlenose Pleco @ 1inch body size. If you are providing them with frozen food, make sure to defrost it first. The barbells are visible when it is swimming around. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is a small fish species that may grow up to a size of 10 cm. Temperament: Peaceful; Peaceful, does not do well with agressive fish. We suggest doing a fishless nitrogen cycle before you add your Zebra Plecos to the tank. You’ll need to closely replicate water conditions too! Behavior & Temperament. 0 Replies 11391 Views Last post by LuckyGuppy Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:56 am; WTB:L46 Zebra plecos, US 75089, shipped. There’s nothing particularly difficult about Zebra Pleco care. So, if you are hosting more than one male Zebra Pleco in your home, make sure that you have a large aquarium. Qty. Zebra Pleco. Author Note: If you want to maximize the size of your Zebra Pleco you’ll want to provide it with the best care possible. It is one of the many members of the Loricariidae family, the suckermouth catfish. They’re a bit smaller than other plecos, which can prove to be an issue if kept in a community tank (more on that later). Care Level: Medium Temperament: Almost Peaceful Max Size: 3-6" Scientific Name: Hypancist Login to view price. Much like most Catfish, they also have notable four whiskers, which they use to explore their ambiance. This doesn’t just apply to decorations. Tank water temperature can’t be lower than 25°C. Stick to the following parameters and you should have no problem keeping your Zebra Pleco in good shape. You can house one male with a few females (this reduces the risk of aggression). Alison has been interested in fish and aquariums for over five years. Like other plecos, this species has a flat bottom and under-turned sucker mouth. £12.00. Even still, it’s important to be vigilant about providing the best care possible. Native to Brazil, Zebra Plecos are seen in the Xingu River, which is essentially a tributary of the Amazon River. The easiest way we can improve the quality of care our fish receive is by being good stewards of accurate and useful knowledge. Nerite Snails are extremely popular in tropical aquariums and are firmly part of the 'clean up' crew. Despite that, the Angelicus Pleco is best kept in a small group, as it will show more natural behaviour and is more comfortable in when accompanied by a number of others of its own kind. Remember, the majority of their food should be meat-based. Raise the temperature of the water to around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. As we said before, in the wild, the substrate they are used to is smooth sand, gravel and pebbles. We recommend feeding them pellets than flakes as they hang out the bottom of the tank. If that is the case, your Zebra Pleco will have a shortage of food. Once that happens, you may feed them powdered fry food in small sizes. However, make sure they don’t have any sharp edges or toxic artificial colours since that is harmful to your Zebra Pleco. These fishes’ temperament is slightly counter-intuitive; the more hiding places that you give the Plecos, the more comfortable they are with the tank because they know they have places to hide; leading to them being more willing to hang out in the open. So, please ensure that the lights of the aquarium aren’t too bright and that they are switched off for at least 12 hours in a day. The set closest to the head may feature short hairs as well. It’s a fairly straightforward process that you can usually trigger with a few simple water changes! They prefer low lighting in their vicinity. In fact unlike most Pleco species, the Zebra Pleco is a carnivore who prefers to feed on sinking pellets, flake foods and small worms. So, feel free to add some aquatic pets in your tank. This bottom-dwelling fish is a real head-turner! These fish are shy, so they’ll take full advantage of those hiding spots. The zebra pleco is a very attractive and well known aquarium fish among the pet fish enthusiasts due to its brilliant body decoration and hardiness. Temperament. Species – Nerite Snail - Zebra. zebra pleco . They have alternating stripes of white and black. Zebra Plecos are very passive and shy. Plus, you can keep them in a small group without territory issues. Now that you know the correct ways to practice Zebra Pleco care, it’s your responsibility to share this knowledge with the aquarium community (when asked of course). Author Note: Make sure to feed your Zebra Pleco in a quiet spot in your tank. She’ll lay about 15 eggs, which the male will then fertilize. In the wild, these fish spawn in the warm rainy season. May 15, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Raxellia. Some of the ideal food options for Zebra Pleco are as follows: To keep them healthy, you need to replicate their natural habitat. There would be time when you wouldn’t see them for many hours because of how much they like retreating and hiding. Zebra Plecos are at risk of experiencing all of the standard freshwater fish diseases. Some of the unsuitable tankmates for Zebra Plecos are as follows: Breeding Zebra Pleco is super easy. Sand is the preferred substrate because it’s closer to what’s found in the wild. It is a Actinopterygian scaleless ray-finned fish under Loricarridae family of order Siluriformes. This is especially true with males. Zebra pleco becomes reproductive at the age of 2-4 years old. They do best in a well oxygenated tank with moderately fast water flow, soft, slightly acidic water, and subdued lighting. So, you need to provide them with a large space. Zebra Pleco. Furthermore, provide them with a proper filter as it would help in keeping the water aerated and will create strong current in the water, which they need to survive. Naturally, this is great for the aesthetic element of your aquarium. You must keep in mind that they prefer strong currents, something which not a lot of other fish may be comfortable with. As we stated above, the colours of Zebra Pleco are what makes them so much in demand. They can also eat crushed peas and peeled zucchinis. Zebra Pleco are very popular not only for their attractive coloration, but also for their ease of care, peaceful temperament and acceptance of a wide variety of commercial fish foods. L190 Royal Pleco ... Care Level: Easy Temperament: Almost Peaceful Max Size: 20" Scientific Name: Pterygolicht Login to view price. The male Zebra Plecos tend to be more territorial than their female counterparts and can often get into fighting over territorial claims. We will discuss this in our sub-section ‘Colour of Zebra Pleco’. zebra: a reference to the zebra pattern. This was seen more apparently with the construction of Belo Monte Dam in Xingu. Zebra Plecos like a stronger current, so make sure the filter’s outlet can meet that need. However, we recommend going a bit larger if possible. You can successfully house Bristlenose Plecos with most other fish in a community tank. This, as well as the beautifully contrasting stripes, do add to the somewhat legendary status the Zebra plec, Hypancistrus zebra, has attained. Zebra Plecos are pretty docile and are generally regarded as one of the more introverted species. The tube has to correspond to the breeders size. Choosing the right type of water is crucial for their health. They are shy, nocturnal fish, generally coming out at night. Bacterial and fungal infections are quite common with Zebra Plecos. Zebra Plecos appreciate plants in their environment. Thus, most existing specimens are tank bred. In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. Zebra Plecos, as well as other pleco species, are more sensitive to copper than other fish. Temperament: When cramped for space and without enough hiding places, hostilities can break out, resulting in - sometimes severe - injuries. Proper care is a must if you want your Zebra Pleco to live as long as possible. The best way to keep your Zebra Pleco happy and healthy is to mimic the waters of Rio Xingu. The fries usually have a yolk sac under their bellies that disappears after a few days. This is a nocturnal species, so don’t expect much activity during the day. Zebra Plecos tend to prefer deep water, often hiding in crevices and rock caves. Hi guys. However, gravel will do fine as long as the pieces are not big enough for the fish to swallow. Except tank water temperature and flow, availability of proper shelters is a crucial factor that influences the breeding process. However, in recent years, they have become an endangered species owing to the detrimental effects of various man-made dams on their natural habitat. Having a strong filter is extremely important for the tank that hosts a Zebra Pleco. It also requires a handful of hiding spots in its vicinity as it replicates its natural habitat. Home. Apart from using large pebbles and rocks, you may use artificial castles and caves. It should be noted that their mouth is much smaller than other species of Catfish. Just don’t forget to turn it off at night for the Zebra Plecos. Surrounding the mouth, you’ll find four whiskers that are used to scope out the environment. Current Size – 2cm. The Zebra Plecostomus is a nocturnal, predatory species that feeds on small inverterbrates such as midge and mosquito larvae. At the bottom of your aquarium, place a nice layer of sand or gravel. Their dorsal fin is in the shape of a triangle and stands up tall, however they can lay it down as per their wish. Also never replace the entire water content altogether. They are often shy and will not come out when other fish are going into a frenzy over food.If necessary, feed them separately so that they feel safe and comfortable while eating. The Zebra Pleco is a dwarf species that reaches a maximum size of 3-1/2 inches in length. Males usually get very aggressive here with the females if they try to leave. This is why almost all Zebra Plecos that you see in an aquarium are bred in captivity.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fisharoma_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',116,'0','0'])); Another interesting aspect of Zebra Plecos is that they are pretty new to the aquarium world since they were first discovered in the early 1990s. As for the breeders, they should be kept in a small group of 5-6 species. Zebra Plecos are very passive and shy. You may: Choose only one of the aforementioned methods. This means that you need to ensure that all of your fish are getting food as they are not well-acquainted with the idea of competing for food. Many of their needs are similar to other species that come from South America. Do not add larger or more active bottom-dwellers. Max Size: 3-6". However, they are largely nocturnal. Several females may spawn simultaneously with the same male – this depends on ho… Live or freeze-dried foods work well, too. In it, you’ll learn the correct Zebra Pleco care guidelines (and tips on how to breed them). As its name suggests, this catfish is colored like a zebra with black and white stripes. i’ve had these around 8 months and had them trap. This usually occurs three to seven days after the eggs are laid. Furthermore, you would also notice their big, bulgy eyes which help separate them from your average freshwater aquarium species. But there’s a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to this fish. As a … Bristlenose Temperament & Suitable Tank Mates. The eyes are pretty large and bulbous, too, giving the fish a unique look. Replace 50% of the tank water every 30 days. Price. There are many different types of aquarium catfish out there. Tropical Tank Aquarium Fish. Usually, the males keep a watch over the eggs until they hatch. Being one of the smaller Catfish, they grow up to 3-4” (7.6-10.2 cm) in length. Online community providing species profiles, photos, forums, online galleries … see all. Typically, the male watches over the cave to protect the eggs. The good news is that the acceptable ranges for temperature, pH balance, and hardness are relatively wide. They look very similar!Aside from those tiny hair-line rays, the only major difference comes down to head size. Please remember that they have a small mouth. Their activity level definitely increases at night though! You can have standard aquarium lighting. They will also feast on small invertebrates. The ideal tank for Zebra Plecos will simulate their natural environment. Since Zebra Plecos love to hide, you need to provide them with a lot of hiding spots. Below are some established care guidelines you don’t want to miss. Zebra Plecos have been known to get a bit territorial with other fish of the same species. Therefore, pick a quiet spot in your aquarium to feed them. The zebra pleco and the bristlenose pleco for sale get along well with other tropical fish because they are non-aggressive plant eaters. When this happens, the male traps the female in a cave until she lays her eggs. As long as you don’t go overboard with this, they should be able to coexist just fine! If you are looking towards distinguishing the males from the females, then you would have to look minutely. If your fish does get a disease, quarantine them, and provide suitable treatment. When there are strong currents and movements in the water, they thrive. These fish are aptly named after the iconic coloration that covers their bodies. They’re difficult to see, but they are often more prominent on males. Plecostomus Tank Mates. Pleco & Sucker. 1 Replies 4318 Views A very quick update on my Zebra Plecos which are finally ready to start breeding. If housing males together, you’ll need to keep a watchful eye to prevent fighting. In the wild, these fish are found Rio Xingu in Brazil. In addition, this also means that they wouldn’t accidentally jump out of the tank and that there would be no accumulation of dirt and dust. The rivers these fish occupy in the wild are teeming with life. You may use a soft brush to clean the ornaments and you can run the substrate under tap water to get rid of any debris. As for water replacement, you can opt for one of the following options. Personality: Peaceful nocturnal scavenger Latin Name: Hypancistrus zebra (L-046) Adult full size: 3” Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon Water Parameters: pH 6.2 – 7.2 Safe for Planted Tanks: Yes Foods: Bloodworms, Shrimp pellets, Algae wafers This is the most sought-after and rare variety of what are called ‘Fancy Pleco-s’. Pleco (31) Filter by price. Under proper lighting, these stripes really pop out and shine. Special treatment for your pleco. But if you provide them with a clean environment, then the chances of them avoiding these health issues are significantly less. 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