Hypancistrus zebra
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| Zebra Pleco | |
| |
| Zebra Pleco | |
| Species | Hypancistrus zebra |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Min. Tank Size | 56.781 liters 56,781.177 mL 15 US Gallons (56.8L) |
| Size | 7.62 cm
2.5-3 " (6.4-7.6cm) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Temp. | 299.15 K 78.8 °F 538.47 °R 303.15 K |
| Water Hardness |
8-18 |
| Stocking Ratio | 1:1 M:F |
| Availability | Rare |
| Diet | |
| Life Span |
3-5 years |
Contents |
[edit] Alternative names
- Zebra Pleco, Imperial Pleco, L046, L098, L173
[edit] Sexing
- The first pectoral fin ray of the male is thicker than that of the female. Males in breeding condition further develop their spine-like odontodes on this ray. The male has a slightly broader head than the female, best observed from above.
[edit] Tank compatibility
- Best kept in a breeding group in a species tank.
[edit] Diet
- A primarily herbivorous fish, feed algae wafers and blanched vegetables. Young Zebras may also take, and benefit from, baby brine shrimp.
[edit] Feeding regime
- Feed once or twice a day.
[edit] Environment Specifics
- Require a spacious tank with sand substrate and caves in which to breed.
[edit] Behaviour
- A peaceful shy pleco.
[edit] Identification
- An exceptionally striking and desirable Pleco, it has a white base colour with many black bands running downt the body. This is a rare fish and there are other stripey Plecos that may get mislabelled as a Zebra. The black bands on this fish run as follows, on the head there is a vertical band running around the head which encompases the eye, there are a several diagonal bands running from this to the end of the nose. Behind the gills there is another thick black band that runs from the tip of one pectoral fin right across and over the body to the other side. From this band there are a number of horizontal black bands running down the body and through the dorsal and caudal fins. The pelvic fins have fuzzy black and white markings.
- There is a Hypancistrus sp., or L173, pattern variation that is not seen very often where the horizontal bands running down the body are wavy rather than straight and there are more vertical bands than horizontal. As it matures it's slighty more stocky and the body is higher than the Hypancistrus zebra. It may be that this is a separate species to the Hypancistrus zebra but not much is known about it.
[edit] Pictures
 Zebras |
