Edit Hypancistrus zebra
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Hypancistrus zebra
Described by
Authority Isbrücker and Nijssen, Year 1991
Family
Loricariidae
Summary
The zebra plec, Hypancistrus zebra (L046), is a small loricariid catfish from the Rio Xingú basin in Brazil, named for its zebra pattern. B…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
80mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 26–30°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries
Brazil
Supporting text
Etymology
Hypancistrus: from the Greek ὑπό (hypó), meaning ‘below, beneath, under’, and the generic name Ancistrus, in reference to the reduced dentition compared with t…
Distribution
Rio Xingú basin, Brazil.
Habitat
It inhabits flowing, highly oxygenated waters running over sandy substrates that are scattered with rocks and stones. The fish are found in deep water, in crev…
Aquarium size
60 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm24 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~54 litres~14 US gal.
Maintenance
To appreciate it at its best, it really should be kept in a biotope setup, consisting of a sandy substrate over which is scattered lots of smooth pebbles and r…
Water conditions
Temperature: Needs warm water in the range 79-86°F (26-30°C). It will fail to thrive in cooler conditions. pH: 6.0-7.5 Hardness: 2-15°H
Diet
Except when juvenile, these prefer a meaty diet. This can consist of live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, chopped mussel and prawn and sinking dried foods.…
Behaviour and compatibility
In terms of temperament it's a decent match for many other fish, as it has a peaceful enough nature. In truth though, it's not really a good species for the ge…
Sexual dimorphism
Mature males develop odontotes on their first pectoral ray, which females lack. The same ray is also thicker in males. When viewed from above the head of the m…
Reproduction
Quite often bred in the hobby. It will sometimes spawn in the community tank if conditions are to its liking. If you want to raise a full brood of these, and e…
Notes
One of the most enigmatic species in the hobby, this incredible little catfish must rank amongst the most stunning freshwater species known. In the late 1990s …
References
References
7 on this profile