Zebra Pleco

[Whitey]

I know these guys are pretty rare, but do u ppl know if u could keep one of these with mbuna?

 

[Bloo]

Why would you want to keep an endangerd species with mbuna ???!!!

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

i plan on getting breeding stock of zebra plecos next year but for now all i do is dream and research them

 

[onemisterchristian]

Zebras are regarded as being extremely sensitive to water parameters and conditions. They also have specific needs. I.E. a higher water temp. than most fish. Also at the price tag for some and their slim availability I don't see why you would want to compromise them by putting them with a fish as unpredictable as mbuna. Most people who keep zebras do it for breeding purposes only and keep them in a species tank.

 

[Whitey]

Thanks for the constructive replys, most of you. But im not interested in breeding them or keeping a species tank, the answer to your question bloozoo, is i want to keep a zebra pleco for the same reason i keep a common pleco.

Now i know they are rare, and i know they are sensitive to water qualitys but what i dont know is if they would be ok in a cichlid tank, and so far no one seems to know. Do you know anyone who has done this sucsessfully or can you think of any reason why its wouldnt work because i cant find any material on the web stating its forbidden.

Thanks.

 

[onemisterchristian]

They should not be kept together as mbunas require a high ph and zebras prefer alower ph. Also mbuna should have little to no current and zebras prefer strong current. Zebras meaty diet also may result in too much protein for the mbuna.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

I agree with the above, the water they require is very different. Add to that the potential of the aggressive nature of Mbuna (I know generally they leave most Plecs / Loaches alone, but hey I wouldn't chance it) AND the hefty price tag of the Zebra's, its not really worth risk if you ask me.

 

[Whitey]

They should not be kept together as mbunas require a high ph and zebras prefer alower ph. Also mbuna should have little to no current and zebras prefer strong current. Zebras meaty diet also may result in too much protein for the mbuna.

Righty ho, thanks.

 

[bunjiweb]

As they will always come from water which is far-removed from the conditions of your mbuna tank I would go with the advice given above.

On top of this they are one of the types of plecos that is always found in groups in the wild, and thus should be kept in groups in your aquarium.

If you like the zebras, then try and get a breeding colony and make yourelf alot of money whilst saving the species from extinction.

Ben

 

[smithrc]

get a breeding colony and make yourelf alot of money...
Ben

If only it was that easy.
The initial outlay and their upkeep pretty much outways any money that might be made if you get them breeding.

 

[Animation]

Well £150-200 for each zebra pleco hoping to get at least 20 selling at £150 totals up to £3000 No way would you spend that much on upkeep.
James

 

[onemisterchristian]

Rarely would you get 20 fry from a spawn. more like 5-10, if your lucky. Not to mention they are incredibly slow growers. Also that's if you're lucky enough to get them to breed. Let's put it this way...much easier said than done. If it were as easy as that then why wouldn't every fishkeeper have a group of zebs breeding?

 

[Tolak]

Even if you do get them to spawn, raise the spawn successfully, and have zebras to sell, not too many people are going to drop $100+ for a tiny plec. The table next to mine at a swap last fall had dozens of zebra plecs for sale, he was asking $150 for a 1 1/2" fish. After a couple of hours he dropped the price to $100. After me & the guy I was splitting the table with sold out, we left. He didn't sell a single zebra the whole time we were there.

 

[Whitey]

Im thinking that the price tag on these is a reason not helping the fact they are few and far between, i know its the logical thing to do, but as many of you said not a lot of people are going to spend £100+ on a small fish. If people agreed to sell them at a much more reasonable price £20-30 i think production and availabilty would increase dramaticly, more to the point i think the high asking price is the reason these fish are endangerd. Shame really.

 

[smithrc]

Im thinking that the price tag on these is a reason not helping the fact they are few and far between, i know its the logical thing to do, but as many of you said not a lot of people are going to spend £100+ on a small fish. If people agreed to sell them at a much more reasonable price £20-30 i think production and availabilty would increase dramaticly, more to the point i think the high asking price is the reason these fish are endangerd. Shame really.

but you've got to remember that they are slow to breed, spawn in low numbers and slow to grow... after paying hundreds for the parents - it seems a little backwards to then sell their young for £20. (they were selling for £80+ even before their export was banned)
If that was all I would be getting - I'd be keeping them all

I've already mentioned a price to a few people - they know I'm not going to be selling any fry for hundreds, but after the time and trouble I've already spent there id no way I'll be giving them away.

I would like to get to the stage that I can rely on them breeding regularly before I start to sell at lower prices. It would be lovely to be able to sell them to people as single fish, knowing that they will love the little thing and that I can continue to breed them without having to worry about not selling as a group. (don't get me wrong, they should be kept in a group, but that is true of so many plecs that are kept singularly)