Zebra Pleco

Hypancistrus zebra

L046: a living optical illusion found only in one stretch of the Xingu river. Every one is a treasure.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 8 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 26–31 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and an aquarium of at least 80 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

26–31 °C (79–88 °F)

pH

6.0–7.5

Adult size

8 cm (3.1 in)

Aquarium

80 L or bigger (21 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Rio Xingu, Brazil (critically endangered)

Good to know

• Shy. Stressed without plants, rocks or caves to hide in.
• Loves driftwood. Happier with wood in the aquarium.
• Glass cleaner. Clings to the glass and wood while grazing.
• Delicate. Sensitive to poor water quality.
• Armoured. Covered in bony plates or spines – too spiky for most fish to swallow.
• Nocturnal. Hides and rests while the lights are on, and comes out to explore and feed at night.

Tank mates

Good company: Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Chili Rasbora, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer, Fancy Guppy, Glowlight Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Black Ghost Knifefish, Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey, Kribensis, Red-Tailed Black Shark, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid.

Eats the newborn fry of: Crystal Red Shrimp, Neocaridina Shrimp.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Black Ghost Knifefish, Comet Goldfish, Electric Blue Acara, Firemouth Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Pictus Catfish, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid.

Colours and breeding

• L046 legendary

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 1.2 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.