But when they finally come out of hiding, they’re sure to be the center of attention in your tank. £16.00 postage. Zebra Plecos have been known to get a bit territorial with other fish of the same species. This fish is an omnivorous species and can be fed with frozen and live food such as bloodworms or brine shrimp. Zebra Plecos are a beautiful and easy to care for freshwater fish that we recommend all the time. You see, most diseases are directly caused by poor living conditions. After that, you can provide powdered fry food before transitioning to baby brine shrimp. 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’. In order to encourage breeding, you need to increase the oxygen level in your tank and raise the temperature to around 82°F (27.8°C). Though once common in the aquarium trade, the Brazilian government banned further export of this species in 2004. That said, they are not super aggressive about going after their food, so you want to make sure that they are not competing with other fish that are more aggressive about food than they are. Zebra Plecos are extremely easy to pet as long as you provide them with a protein-rich diet. Use a soft cloth that is dipped in lukewarm water to wipe off the interior glass walls. Just be wary of copper-based products! Since Zebra Plecos love to hide, you need to provide them with a lot of hiding spots. On this video I'll be showing you how to rear zebra plecos artificially . Live or freeze-dried foods work well, too. Qty. Zebra Pleco are vulnerable to various bacterial and fungal infections alongside parasite Ich. L190 Royal Pleco ... Care Level: Easy Temperament: Almost Peaceful Max Size: 20" Scientific Name: Pterygolicht Login to view price. Bacterial and fungal infections are quite common with Zebra Plecos. You should prioritize their health when planning their habitat and diet, and always do your best to maintain their ideal water parameters. Like other plecos, this species has a flat bottom and under-turned sucker mouth. These fish are quite fond of crushed peas and zucchini. Competing for food is not something this fish is good at. Adult Length – 2.5cm. This is especially true with males. Their scientific name is Hypancistrus zebra. two inches (5-6cm) collection canterbury. Because of the passive nature of the Zebra Pleco, it’s often out-competed for food. This is usually between July and September. As such, keeping them with fish species that mostly reside in the top and middle portion is ideal. The behavior of the Zebra Loach is very straightforward. They are bottom-feeders. Because these fish are on the smaller side, they don’t need a massive tank to stay happy. They are predatory by nature, although don’t confuse it with them being aggressive. Sand is the preferred substrate because it’s closer to what’s found in the wild. However, in recent years, they have become an endangered species owing to the detrimental effects of various man-made dams on their natural habitat. It’s always easier to prevent diseases than treat them. Choosing the right type of water is crucial for their health. If you are hosting more than one, just use the same ratio to increase the tank size. However, this is not necessary if you maintain the tank properly. They have a huge requirement of protein and eat more meat than most other species of Catfish. L129 Colombian Zebra Pleco. They have alternating stripes of white and black. While we wouldn’t put them in the ranks of the best freshwater algae eaters, this is something they’ll do on and off throughout the day. Live fish. They have black and white lateral pattern stripes on their bodies. The average Zebra Pleco size is between 3 and 4 inches when fully grown. 15 x Lemon bristlenose Pleco @ 1inch body size. Their activity level definitely increases at night though! The carbonate hardness of the tank water that hosts a Zebra Pleco should be 2-6 dKH. The temperature of the tank water should be 79°F to 88°F (26.1°C to 31.1°C). Like any other freshwater fish, this species is susceptible to illness and premature death. Pleco (31) Filter by price. However, they are largely nocturnal. Behavior & Temperament. This, as well as the beautifully contrasting stripes, do add to the somewhat legendary status the Zebra plec, Hypancistrus zebra, has attained. So, if you are hosting more than one male Zebra Pleco in your home, make sure that you have a large aquarium. It also requires a handful of hiding spots in its vicinity as it replicates its natural habitat. 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