Category: Catfish
Common Names: Zebra Pleco, Imperial Pleco
Scientific Name: Hypancistrus Zebra
Family: Loricariidae
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Max Size: 4 Inches
Temperature: 76-85 F
pH: 6.5-7.5
Tank Level: Bottom
Colors: Black, White
Diet: Omnivore
Breeding: Difficult
Species Overview
The zebra pleco, Hypancistrus zebra, is a rare Pleco that will spruce your aquarium with its distinct yet aesthetic appearance. This bottom-dwelling head-turner, the imperial pleco, is a freshwater catfish species.
While the zebra pleco was initially discovered in the 70s, it was until 1991 the fish species was scientifically described. The fish quickly became a fan-favorite in the pet fish market before the Brazilian government banned the trade a few years later. Currently, a lot of zebra plecos intended for aquariums are instead reared in captivity.
The zebra pleco remains a sought-after species by avid aquarists globally for its beautiful looks and relatively docile temperament. With it being in such high demand, it comes with one of the highest price points that you’ll see in plecos.
However, this species’ demanding requirements regarding tank conditions and water parameters can be a hassle for beginners. The fish are well-recommended for intermediate and advanced fish keepers.
This fish species isn’t the most active addition to your aquarium; it’s typically shy, docile, and nocturnal. But the zebra pleco will undoubtedly become the attention magnet in your tanks when they eventually emerge from hiding.
Birger A [CC BY-SA 3.0]Distinguishing Features
As the name suggests, the zebra pleco is named after the distinctive coloration that covers the fish’s body. The zebra pleco features alternating blank and white stripes that become more vivid under proper lighting conditions.
The coloration pattern is consistent on the zebra pleco, with the stripes covering it from the head to the tail, including the pectoral and dorsal fins. However, looking closely, you’ll notice they are rather lateral on the head area and become more vertical as you move to the dorsal fin.
You may also encounter zebra pleco species with dashing and undulating black stripes on their bodies. Another distinctive feature of the zebra pleco is a small elongated head with high-set eyes. Despite the relatively small head size, the zebra pleco has large, bulbous, bluish eyes that add to its distinct look.
The fish feature lateral stripes connecting the mouth and the eyes, two pairs of tiny barbels, and an elongated hooked pin on its premaxilla region. The maxilla features seven to eight long, curving teeth on each side that stratify toward the edge. The mandible has just eight strongly bifurcated teeth – four on each side.
Origins
This catfish is endemic to Xingu River, a southeast tributary of the Amazon River. The river is relatively wide and has an average temperature of 32°C. Also, it is filled with many pebbles and stones of different sizes, separated by fine-grained sand.
The habitat of the zebra pleco is in the deep waters in the middle of the river, where it is typically caught. This riverbed region features various fissures, tunnels, and caves that form as water rushes through particular rocks. These cracks and caverns offer perfect hiding spots for the zebra pleco hides.
Also, the bottom of the river hardly has any snags and is mostly plantless. This region features fast-flowing water, making it oxygen-rich. The depths of the river that hosts the zebra pleco have dark-turned igneous rocks, making the environment gloomy, if not completely dark.
The zebra pleco thrives in strong currents and fast-flowing waters. So, any changes in the water parameters can be fatal to the species. Before introducing this catfish species into your home aquarium, you should replicate these conditions in the tank.
Although the zebra pleco was identified in 1991, human activities made them an endangered species shortly after. The number of zebra plecos significantly decreased in Xingu River following the construction of power-generating dams that reduced the high current waters on the riverbed.
It got so bad that the Brazilian government declared this fish endangered and prohibited its export. Breeding programs are ongoing to satisfy the massive demand for the few zebra plecos that did make it to the foreign markets.
Fortunately, this fish can be bred easily and quickly, so the market’s supply shortfall will soon be closed.
Size
Unlike other species of plecos, the zebra pleco is relatively smaller. The average size of a full-grown zebra pleco is 3-4 inches. This small size can be significant if you plan to keep your zebra pleco in a community aquarium.
Nevertheless, the growth rate of this catfish species varies with the effectiveness of your water parameters maintenance. For instance, keeping your tank water warm will accelerate the growth rate of your zebra plecos. The quality of food you feed your fish will also determine their growth rate.
Lifespan
Keeping a zebra pleco in your home aquarium means a long-time commitment. The average lifespan of tank-reared zebra plecos is 10-15 years.
But this lifespan doesn’t guarantee the life expectancy of your zebra plecos. Like other freshwater fish species, the zebra pleco is prone to disease and premature fatality. The leading cause of premature deaths is substandard tank conditions and poor-quality foods.
Remember that your zebra pleco’s lifespan depends on how well you care for your fish. Zebra plecos are easy to take care of, but their tank must be adjusted to closely resemble their natural environment so that they feel at ease thriving in captivity.
Genders
The zebra plecos don’t feature significant gender parameters you can utilize to tell apart the males from females. Males and females look similar, with subtle differences that can be complicated to tell apart.
If you’re well acquainted with the anatomy of the zebra plecos, you can pinpoint the stark difference between the males and females through their head shape and size. At reproductive age, the male zebra pleco typically has a wider mushroom-shaped head with a prominent forehead that you can easily recognize.
Also, the males have more pronounced orange-tipped odontodes on the pectoral fins’ first rays than the females. Although the female zebra plecos grow pectoral and cheek fin spines as they mature, they remain shorter and less prominent than males.
The full-grown male zebra pleco is 10-15% larger than the female counterpart. While the female is generally smaller, it boasts a rounder shape, which is more prominent when it carries eggs. This shape is easily detectable from the female’s convex outline from the base to the pectoral fin spine.
However, all these gender-specific features are only visible on adult zebra plecos. It’s challenging to tell any gender differences between juvenile male and female zebra plecos.
Temperament
Zebra plecos are typically docile and shy, preferring to stay in their hideouts, especially during the day. They’re often timid in new environments, so don’t expect an active explorer when you introduce a zebra pleco into your aquarium tank.
This fish species is nocturnal, spending its entire day lazing around the tack or catching a nap in its hideout. The zebra pleco comes to life when the sun goes down, significantly increasing activity in the tank.
At night, this catfish species comes out of its shell to explore the fish tank, scavenge for food, or even interact with other fish. However, unlike the introverted female zebra plecos, their male counterparts are moderately territorial with other fish of their species.
This behavior requires you to keep an eye to ward off any fights, primarily if you’re housing more than one male zebra pleco in the same tank. Such conflicts can be detrimental, characterized by aggression and fin snaps. The territorial fights can lead to injuries and diseases, including fin rot.
As a result, if you intend to have a tank full of Zebra Plecos, consider keeping only one male with several females. Another alternative is to acquire a large fish tank with plenty of hiding places so that each male zebra pleco may claim one. It reduces the likelihood of fights since the males won’t feel threatened.
Tank Parameters
Keeping zebra plecos is relatively easy, mainly if you’re dealing with captive-bred stock. This fish species requires similar tank parameters as most South American fish species.
Nevertheless, being diligent in giving the utmost care possible is critical. While planning your zebra plecos’ habitat and nutrition, emphasize their health and always strive to keep their optimal water parameters.
This section highlights some established tank parameter guidelines you should pay attention to.
Minimum Tank Size
The tank size is one of the essential factors to consider when planning to keep zebra plecos. Since this catfish species is smaller, it doesn’t require a large tank to stay comfortable and happy. At the very least, 20-gallon is more than enough for the zebra plecos, given their 4-inch maximum size.
However, most professional aquarists recommend a larger tank, preferably 30 gallons, to provide more room for swimming and minimize territory issues. This tank size is a perfect fit for 4-5 zebra plecos.
An even larger aquarium is preferable if you intend to keep a more extensive shoal of this fish species. Remember, the larger the tank is, the easier it is to manage the water parameters and regulate how they change.
Water Parameters
Aim at mimicking the waters of their natural habitat in Xingu River to ensure your zebra plecos thrive in a tank setting. Besides the environmental décor, you’ll also need to replicate the ideal water parameters.
The water parameters are the quintessential aspect of keeping the zebra plecos, especially if you’re a first-time keeper of this fish species. Should you replicate the Xingu River’s water conditions, you won’t have to worry about early death or other difficulties that many zebra plecos encounter in captivity.
Temperature
The optimal water temperature for zebra plecos is between 79°F and 88°F. Always keep the water temperature constant, preferably within the required temperature range. We recommend you rely on sunlight or a dim aquarium heat light to achieve the desired water temperature.
pH
The optimum water pH level for zebra plecos is 6.5 – 7.0. This pH requires the water to be slightly acidic to neutral. So, you don’t have to hassle to attain and maintain the recommended water pH level for zebra plecos.
Salinity
There’s a debate among avid aquarium enthusiasts on whether zebra plecos can survive in saline waters. Some claim it is possible to keep zebra plecos in salty waters, while others dispute it. However, there’s no clear-cut answer to this question, and it depends on the specific zebra pleco and the water salinity level.
Since the natural habitat of zebra plecos is fresh water, some fish will die within hours after introduction to saline waters. Conversely, some zebra plecos will do just fine in low salinity levels. If you fancy saline water in your tank, you can gradually introduce salt to the aquarium and watch the response.
Tank Setup
The tank setup for zebra plecos only requires a little, considering the riverbed natural habitat of this fish species. But you’ll need to replicate the fish’s natural habitat when setting up the aquarium for your zebra plecos.
Here are the insightful guidelines to follow for a zebra pleco tank setup:
Substrate
Because zebra plecos are bottom feeders in the aquarium, you must be careful with the substrate you use. Sand is the recommended zebra pleco aquarium substrate, primarily because it is in their natural habitat.
You can also add big chunks of gravel in addition to sand. Avoid smaller pieces of gravel, as the fish may mistake them for food, which can be hazardous.
Decorations
You can add decorative pieces to the tank setup, but ensure they serve a functional purpose. For instance, small caves can offer aesthetics to your aquarium while offering much-needed hiding spots for the fish.
Plants
You can include plants in your tank setup, but remember that the aquarium water temperatures are relatively high, and some plants can’t handle it. Nevertheless, there are no specific plants that these fish fancy. Get creative and incorporate a range of aquatic plants appropriate for tank water conditions.
Lighting
Zebra plecos are primarily nocturnal and do best under low light conditions. So, installing a dim lighting system is well-recommended. But ensure you turn it off at night to make it less stressful for the fish to swim and feed at night.
Filtration
Zebra plecos need a strong water current and stream to thrive. You should invest in a powerful filter to replicate this natural condition in captivity. A powerful canister filter is an excellent option for a zebra pleco tank, maintaining a consistent water stream that provides a comfortable environment for your fish.
Heating
Since the zebra plecos originate from the tropical waters of the Amazon, they do well in warm water. If you live in a warm area with constant temperatures between 72°F and 80°F, a tank heater won’t be necessary. But it would help if you still had an aquarium heater to maintain a stable water temperature.
Diet
Contrary to popular belief, zebra plecos are carnivores, not algae eaters! The fish prefer protein-rich diets, but you can supplement them with some vegetables.
With its small mouth, the zebra pleco can eat much vegetation but must have a meat-heavy accompaniment. Bloodworms and bay shrimps are particular favorites.
Feed your zebra plecos in a serene section of the tanks, especially if they live in a large community. This is because the fish are shy and may not come out to feed with other fish species. Also, feed them separately from other fish to make them feel safe and minimize stress when eating.
Breeding
Breeding zebra plecos is the least complicated thing about keeping this catfish species. You can induce the fish to breed by adjusting a few conditions, including the water temperature and oxygen levels.
In the wilderness, zebra plecos typically breed in the rainy season, between July and September. But you can breed them at any time in captivity.
The female zebra pleco is laden with eggs in the belly during the breeding period. The male zebra pleco chases the female into his hideout, where she lays eggs, and the male fertilizes them. The male zebra pleco watches over the fertilized eggs until they hatch.
For optimum breeding, raise the tank water temperature to 82°F and use quality air pumps to increase the oxygen levels in the tank.
Common Diseases
Zebra plecos are susceptible to all common freshwater fish diseases, including parasitic, Ich, fungal, and bacterial infections. However, most ailments are triggered directly by substandard living circumstances.
To maintain the tank water clean and healthy, consider investing in a powerful filter, changing roughly 20% of the water weekly. Disease prevention is always better than treatment.
If your zebra plecos become ill, isolate them and treat them appropriately. There are several over-the-counter medications to treat fish diseases.
Finally, avoid introducing copper-based hardware into the aquarium since zebra plecos are more sensitive to copper than other species.
Potential Tank Mates
Zebra plecos have a calm temperament and rarely display hostility against their tank mates. Nevertheless, they aren’t well suited to living in a community tank.
Be careful when picking tankmates for your zebra pleco. Other zebra plecos are the most apparent suitable option. To reduce aggression, keep one male with multiple females.
Stick to comparable-sized, calm fish for other fish species. Non-aggressive species that remain in the upper section of the tank are ideal.
Do not introduce any bigger or more aggressive bottom dwellers. The zebra pleco is frequently outcompeted for food due to its docile temperament.
Here are some of the potential tanks mates you can consider:
- Guppy species
- Platy fish
- Chili rasbora
- Denison barbs
- Otocinclus catfish
- Apistogramma
Parting Shot
The zebra pleco is a much-coveted beauty and certainly not the cheapest in the pet fish market. Going beyond expectations in matters of care will guarantee you get value for your money.
We hope our article has provided all the information and insights you require on zebra pleco care. Hence, follow the tips to guarantee your fish a pleasant and relaxing life.