Zebra Pleco

The most prominent feature is the zebra-like stripes covering the body. This gives it a unique look compared to other fish in the aquarium.

The zebra pleco is a small species of freshwater catfish, adorned with luxurious stripes and characterized by a docile temperament. First discovered in 1991, it quickly became a popular fish in the exotic pet trade until the Brazilian government banned the practice several years later. Today many zebra plecos destined for the aquarium are raised in captivity instead.

3 Incredible Zebra Pleco Facts!

• The zebra pleco is a shy, unassuming fish that usually comes out to feed at night.
• Like any catfish, the zebra pleco has long “whiskers” (barbels) on the face that help it sense the surrounding environment and find food in the dirt.
• Despite the ban, the zebra pleco is sometimes caught illegally by poachers.

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the zebra pleco is Hypancistrus zebra. The species name is self-explanatory, but the genus name requires some explanation. It may be a combination of the Greek words “hypo” (meaning beneath, under, or less than) and “agkistron” (which means hook). The meaning of this name becomes more clear when you consider the closely related genus of Ancistrus, which has hook-shaped structures on the outside of the body. Hypancistrus may therefore imply that the genus lacks these hook-like structures. There are eight recognized species within this genus, but since it’s a newly discovered type of fish, there may be many more unknown species out there.

Types of Hypancistrus Species

While there are no sub-species of the zebra pleco fish, it is one of eight species within the Hypancistrus genus. All eight species are listed below:

• Planet Catfish (Hypancistrus contradens): Armored catfish endemic to Venezuela; charcoal coloring with white spots on entire body
• Colombian Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus debilittera): Rio Orinoco, Venezuela; dark brown coloring with fine yellowish stripes
• Yellowhead Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus furunculus): Rio Orinoco, Venezuela; dark coloring with broader zebra stripes
• Snowball Pleco (Hypancistrus inspector): Rio Negro basin in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela; black coloring with white spots
• Hypancistrus lunaorum: Rio Orinoco, Venezuela; dark coloring with smaller, less numerous white spots than some other spotted species
• Hypancistrus margaritatus: Rio Tacutu and Rio Branco in border area between Brazil and Guyana; dark coloring with small spots
• Phantom Pleco (Hypancistrus phantasm): Rio Uaupes, Rio Negro drainage, Amazon basin in Brazil; tan coloring with black spots
• Hypancistrus zebra (Zebra pleco)

History of the Zebra Pleco Fish

The zebra pleco fish was first mentioned in terms of aquarium stardom when it was accidentally discovered in 1987 in the main channel of the Xingu River near Altamira by Yoshio Ogawa and Minoru Matsuzaka. This fish quickly captured the attention of aquarium enthusiasts, appearing in the American Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine in April 1988 and Germany’s Deutsche Aquarien- und Terrarien-Zeitschrift in September 1989. Its official classification came about in 1991 by Isbrücker and Nijssen. 

From the early 2000s to today, the zebra pleco has become wildly popular as an aquarium fish. However, the fish has been heavily trafficked through neighboring countries and is currently on the ICUN endangered list.

Appearance

The zebra pleco is a small fish, measuring no more than 4 inches long, with black and white stripes and four whiskers situated around the sucker-like mouth. The body itself is covered in armored scutes (the same substance as crocodile skin and bird feet) rather than scales. Some of the fins also form the shape of sharp spines at the ends. The sexual differences of this species are subtle, but they do exist. The males have a more prominent forehead and more spines on their fins.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

This fish can be found along the length of the Xingu River, a tributary of the Amazon River, in the interior of Brazil. However, the population has been severely disrupted by the construction of the Belo Monte Dam near the mouth of the river. While it hasn’t been assessed by the IUCN Red List, this species could be endangered in the wild. Poaching is also a threat, but most aquarium fish come from captive breeding programs around the world.

Predators and Prey

The zebra pleco is an omnivorous species. When it isn’t hiding in caves or rocks, this fish spends most of the day sucking up small food bits from the bottom of the river.

What eats the zebra pleco?

The zebra pleco is preyed upon by larger fish in its natural habitat. The hair-like spines help them fend off potential predators (as well as rivals). The armored scutes also provide a degree of protection.

What does the zebra pleco eat?

In the wild, the zebra pleco usually eats some combination of algae, detritus (organic matter), seeds, and other small morsels. In captivity, they enjoy protein-rich pellets, live or freeze-dried food (such as bloodworms and brine shrimp), and the occasional algae wafer or blanched vegetable.

Reproduction and Lifespan

The zebra pleco will spawn in the warm rainy season between July and September when the water temperature rises to around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The male will chase or trap a female in a cave, where she will release about 15 eggs for the male to fertilize externally. He may sometimes bite into her body and hold her down until she releases her eggs.

After the eggs are fertilized, it will take about a week for them to hatch. The male will stand guard over them until they hatch and possibly for a few days afterward. The young fry will have yolk sacs attached to their bellies for the next few days until they’re old enough to fend for themselves. It takes about two and a half months before they’ve grown to an inch in size. The lifespan is around 10 to 15 years.

Zebra Pleco in Fishing and Cooking

The zebra pleco is not usually caught or eaten by people.

1. Fishlore, Available here: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/jan08/zebra-pleco.htm