Zebra pleco

Taxobox
name = Zebra pleco

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image_caption = Juvenile. Photo: Birger A
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Loricariidae
genus = "Hypancistrus"
species = "H. zebra"
binomial = "Hypancistrus zebra"
binomial_authority = Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1991

The zebra pleco, "Hypancistrus zebra", gets its name from its black and white stripes, resembling the colouration of a zebra. It is a species of catfish commonly found in the Xingu River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and was first described in the early 1990s.FishBase species | genus = Hypancistrus | species = zebra | month = November | year = 2005] This fish was exported from Brazil in great numbers. Despite this, the zebra pleco is not found on the IUCN red list. However, the Brazilian government responded by putting a ban on the exportation of the zebra pleco. Since this ban has been enforced, there has been a trend towards the captive breeding of this exotic and expensive catfish due to its popularity.

Mature males have a larger head and longer interopercular spines than females. After spawning, the males will guard the eggs. The fry swim after seven days and absorb the yolk sac in two weeks.

In the aquarium

"Hypancistrus zebra" is called L-46 in terms of the L-numbering convention often applied to Loricariidae. Though the Zebra Pleco is sometimes described as a suckermouth catfish, this is generally used to describe fishes which subsist on algae. The Zebra pleco is definitely not one such fish and would do better on a more carnivorous diet.cite book | title = Aquarium Owner's Guide | last = Sanford | first = Gina | publisher = DK Publishing | location = New York | date = 1999 | pages = 40 | isbn = 0-7894-4614-6] It will prefer plenty of hiding places, subdued lighting, and quiet company.

ee also

*List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

*http://www.brianstropicals.com/zebras.html - export ban
http://www.zebrapleco.com/ - The Official Home of Hypancistrus Zebra owners and breeders