Zebra Pleco
Contents:
- Imperial Zebra Pleco information (1 of 3)
by flyinggoat-at-aol.com (Flyinggoat) (6 Mar 1995)
- Imperial Zebra Pleco information (2 of 3)
by flyinggoat-at-aol.com (Flyinggoat) (6 Mar 1995)
- Imperial Zebra Pleco information (3 of 3)
by flyinggoat-at-aol.com (Flyinggoat) (6 Mar 1995)
- [F] Zebra Pl*co info wanted.
by lsarakon-at-snakemail.hut.fi (Liisa Sarakontu) (28 Jul 1995)
by flyinggoat-at-aol.com (Flyinggoat)
Date: 6 Mar 1995
Newsgroup: rec.aquaria,alt.aquaria
>I recall similar questions being asked in the past, but I can't
>remember what the responses were. Someone said that in their
>native habitat they are found in fast flowing, deep water (around
>30ft deep)
>Does anyone have more info on their habitat / breeding requirements?
---------HERE-------------------
I recently purchased an Imperial Pleco as well (also known as a Candy
Striped Pleco), for a mere $60... a temporary moment of insanity. I, too,
had to purchase a $1.99 algae eater to keep the tank clean, since my $60
vaccuum cleaner preferred to hide! I have since then found out that they
are typically more shy than the average brown plecos, although after 3
months he is finally making regular appearences. And by the way, they are
definately nocturnal.
Unlike my other plecos, the candy striped does not like the Hikari
algae wafers or the tank algae. He does, however, live for his weekly
piece of zucchini (or yellow squash). This is considered a MUST for this
fish since they compete poorly for food. It has also functioned to make
him more social during daylight hours and less spooked by the other fish.
The only other info I have on them is that they will never grow as
large as other plecos, generally 4-5" in length. Enjoy...but if you want a
good vaccuum cleaner, stick to a Hoover. This one is for looks only!
Tammy Hedlund
- Tammy hedlund_t-at-defiance.hsc.colorado.edu
-----------------------------------------------------------
According to the Imp. Zebra gurus on CompuServe's Fishnet (incl. one guy
who breeds them (!), they take a neutral pH, warm water (80 deg.), and
perhaps most importantly (and contrary to their photo on veggie food
tablets by Wardley) they are no big algae eaters. They eat meaty stuff.
Their natural habitat has no plants or algae (they live 20 feet down) but
lots of rocks. Its well oxygenated. I have no sexing info. I doubt its
easy to breed.
Hope this helps.
Niels Sampath
Also available at Compuserve: 100020.2050-at-Compuserve.com
-----------------------------------------------------------
(me, again)
I got mine in Cambell, Cal, at a VERY good pet store called Dolphin Pet.
They specialize in fish and reptiles. He ran me close to $75.oo, but then
he IS a very striking fish. I've seen no preference for meat or algae
'cause I never see him feed. (actually I saw him take some algae off a
rock the day I introduced the new placo...jealousy, perhaps?) I've had him
for almost a month, now, so he IS eating, but I'm not sure what. Since
he's in a tank with my neons, cardinals, gouramis, rummy-nose tetras,
platys, and mollies (and now a homily leopard-spot placo) I assume he's
eating whatever these guys leave behind, 'cause he never comes out while
I'm feeding them. I've taken to placing near him a bottom-feeder tablet
just before I turn out the lights for the night, and it's always gone the
next day. He SEEMS happy enough, he just doesn't come out from under his
pot.
Betty Cunningham(Flyinggoat-at-aol.com)
----------------------------------------------------------
Well, if you're talking about the Peckoltia Zebra Pleco, they do seem to
be finnicky eaters. I've had one for almost a year now, and I never notice
it actually eating, except maybe munching on algae that grows on the
rocks. I've tried zuchinni and algae wafers, I can't tell if it eats them
or not, since it's very shy and usually only comes out at night. I guess
my advice is "don't worry too much about it". They DO eat, or mine
wouldn't be as healthy as it is. Don't leave too much food in the tank,
hoping it'll eat. You'll end up polluting the tank.
FWIW, Tartan
-----------------------------------------------------------
I've got a friend with a couple of zebras.
He feeds them zuchinni. One bit of helpful news was his weren't eating
well either, untill he put an algae eater in with them. The were either
taught or intimidated and started to eat and haven't stopped since.
Good Luck,
Tom
THawk555
-------------------------------------------------------
~From: DonKin
I adore my Zebra...healthy...feed algae wafers which he sneaks out and
gets...I wish he wasn't so shy...community 29 gal.tetra tank, 6.8ph,
78 -80 deg., with neons, glass bloodfins, hatchet and the Zebra...
normally hides under a plant or occasionally will come out to hide under a
bridge...should I get another bottomfeeder, more things to hide...
-----------------------------------------------------
~From: PETHOST3
Your Zebra sounds as if he is doing really well. Some fishkeepers (myself
included) recommend a more varied diet then wafers exclusivly such as
zuchinni or GAMI feeds his little bits of broiled chicken. Also, Zebras
are supposed to enjoy some algae covered driftwood.
He/she is a mostly nocturnal fish, but may adapt to your hours the longer
in captivity.
------------------------------------------------------------A. hoplogenys
and Zebras are both peaceful catfish, and both would help keep the algae
down.
A. hoplogenys is usually sold as a Bristle Nosed or Bushy Nosed Pleco. In
the aquarium, I'd say 5" is more their average size. Mine seem equally
active by day as by night. Aquarium stores don't carry them as often as
the common plecos, but they're worth the wait, IMO.
Zebra plecos are a variety of Peckoltia. They stay small, and grow fairly
slowly. The biggest one I've ever had made it to about five inches, but he
was OLD, and in a big tank. Zebra's are harder to come by, and you'll pay
$30.00 to $60.00 for one depending on where you find it. They are pretty,
tho. Usually more nocturnal than the ancistrus.
-----------------------------------------------------------
~From: Catfishes
Thank goodness, an honest response! Hypancistus zebra is probably the
worst candidate for algae removal. They thrive on meat type protein.
Spawning reports indicate the same.
Betty Cunningham(Flyinggoat-at-aol.com)
illustrator, animator, and likes to collect dead things
by flyinggoat-at-aol.com (Flyinggoat)
Date: 6 Mar 1995
Newsgroup: rec.aquaria,alt.aquaria
Zebra plecos are peaceful with other fish--Don't ever believe that they're
peaceful with each other. Of course tank size is always an important
consideration--I keep 20 of them in a 125 gallon tank. They are highly
territorial!
----------------------------------------------------------
~From: GAMI
I have a small colony of Zebras. You and I might talk via E-mail if you
like. Mine are not aggressive with each other, by the way.
---------------------------------------------------------
~From: GAMI
What spawning reports are you speaking of? The ones from Germany? The
fish are also being bred here.
----------------------------------------------------------
~From: Catfishes
I'd certainly like to discuss this with you, whoever you are. . Yes, I
meant the two articles that appeared in DATZ, 10/93. Have you read them? I
had them translated and I'm just finishing up an article based upon my
experiences (I have 20 Hypancistrus zebra) and their information. Do you
actually know of any "confirmed" successful spawnings of this fish in the
USA? I travel all over the country and get a chance to talk to a lot of
aquarists. In addition, I receive a lot of mail--last count 84 letters
concerning the zebra pleco. I've yet to see any zebra pleco fry in the
USA. Remember <grin> a successful spawning is more then eggs! . I write
Catfish in Depth for AFM, my name is Ginny. Please consider this proposal!
Thank you.
--------------------------------------------------
Betty Cunningham(Flyinggoat-at-aol.com)
illustrator, animator, and likes to collect dead things
by flyinggoat-at-aol.com (Flyinggoat)
Date: 6 Mar 1995
Newsgroup: rec.aquaria,alt.aquaria
I have 4, started w/6. Have had them for 1yr+. The loved living
under the dump from my algae scrubber in a pile of African root
in a 100G com. tk. Now in their own 40. Sand substrate/box filters
/will add power hds. Probably too much light (2x40wt). ~80F.
Appear to be sexual dimorphic - some much wider accross head.
Love to eat blood worms & b.shrimp. They don't feed on algae!
Don't know about wafers -have not watched when these were fed
to other "plecos". Germans use wafers & live fw planktors (ie:
like daphnia). Btw, Grms say fish wait til wafers break up & feed
on particles.
Ref: German articles. DATZ/10/93. One couple worked their *&*^*'s
off to provide great set-up/water/diet/etc. Started w/6.. say they
breed all yr and have to be thinned out! Other guy kept some in
bg tk w/afr. cichlids. Found fry when brking down the tnk. I have
translated both articles (~4pgs in wpf). Concerned about copy
rights vs. sharing on the net. Comments?
Ref: Cichlid News (date unknown). Article: "A DREAM TRIP:
CICHLIDS ON THE XINGU". Jeff Cardwell made expedition to
RioXingu ("shingoo") - H. zebra is endemic to this river (todate!).
Jeff reports, "pH of 6.8, DH of 1, and a temp. of 84F."
Ref: FAMA mag./8/93/pg 128. Orig. Descriptions by Jeffrey C.
Howe.
Other trivia: known as L46 re: P. de Brazil. I know someone -at-
a university in Fla who has LARGE breeding effort in progress.
Can say who w/o permission. My sources (v gd) know of no com.
breeding.
Let's breed these buggers!!!
Ron Belliveau I have fish, therefore,
fishman-at-cybernetics.net I am!
Ron Belliveau
"I have fishes
therefore,
I am!"
Betty Cunningham(Flyinggoat-at-aol.com)
illustrator, animator, and likes to collect dead things
by lsarakon-at-snakemail.hut.fi (Liisa Sarakontu)
Date: 28 Jul 1995
Newsgroup: rec.aquaria
In article <3vansv$1ab-at-news.cs.brandeis.edu> ruscio-at-binah.cc.brandeis.edu (JoHn Ruscio) writes:
This is getting very confusing. I thought that the zebra pleco was a
pekoltia species, white with black lateral stripes, that grows to about
4 inches? If anybody has experience with the fish I describe,
More nice questions about scientific names! I like them!
Zebra pleco is a rather "new" species, and it was first classified as
Peckoltia zebra, until it got its own genus. Hypancistrus zebra is the
valid name for it as far as I know.
Liisa Sarakontu
The Krib
Fish/Animals
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