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Zebra Pleco (L046)

Hypancistrus zebra · family Loricariidae

Also: Imperial Zebra Pleco, Hypancistrus zebra

Zebra Pleco (L046) (Hypancistrus zebra) — aquarium fish
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA

Parameters

Temperature
28–31 °C
pH
6–7.2
Hardness
2–10 °dGH
Tank volume
from 80 L
Maximum size
up to 9 cm
Group size
min 4, ideal 6
Temperament
Peaceful
Swimming zone
Bottom
Difficulty
Expert
Lifespan
10–15 years

Description

The L046 Imperial Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra) is the crown jewel of Loricariid catfishes, sporting striking snow-white and jet-black stripes. Endemic to the warm rapids of Brazil's Rio Xingu, it is a peaceful, cave-dwelling carnivore (not an algae eater) that requires warm 28–31 °C water saturated with dissolved oxygen.

Care

Provide an 80+ liter tank with high filter turnover (8–10x/h), vigorous surface agitation or air stones to maintain oxygen saturation at 28–31 °C, and tight-fitting ceramic or slate caves for each fish.

Feeding

Sinking carnivore wafers, high-protein granules, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp fed mainly at dusk.

Breeding

The dominant male traps a gravid female inside a tight dead-end ceramic cave, then guards and fans the clutch of 8–20 large eggs until the fry absorb their yolk sacs.

Compatibility

  • Discus

    Symphysodon aequifasciatus

    Оба вида требуют температуры 28–31 °C и мягкой чистой воды, не конкурируя за ярусы. / Both species thrive at 28–31 °C in pristine soft water and occupy completely separate zones.

    Good

FAQ

Does the L046 Zebra Pleco eat algae off the glass?
No. Unlike Ancistrus or Otocinclus, Hypancistrus zebra has jaws specialized for a carnivorous/omnivorous diet of invertebrates and protein wafers rather than scraping tough algae.
Goldie editorial team — collective profile photo
AuthorGoldie Editorial

Goldie editorial team

Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication

Goldie Science Board — collective scientific review panel
Reviewed byGoldie Science Board

Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians

Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown

Sources

  1. FishBase: Hypancistrus zebra · FishBase · 2026-05-22
  2. Seriously Fish: Hypancistrus zebra · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22