Zebra Pleco

[MegTheFish]

I'm looking at possible plecos to stock in my 55 gallon once it is cycled. I'm looking at smaller ones (no larger then 6"), and came across the zebra pleco. I love its coloring, but read on many sites that it is rare and expensive. I've talked to my boss (I work at a petstore) and she said she has this one supplier that can get pretty much any fish for her, so thats why I was looking at the more rarer plecos. I was wondering, how rare are they exactly, and how much do you think I'd be looking at paying? I think the maximum I would pay for a pleco, would be $100 (I would have to REALLY like it a lot though!). If this zebra pleco is quite expensive, is there any cheaper "look-a-likes" that might be an option? Thank-you!

 

[Sp3nc3r]

i think its on the red list

its almost extinct, a good fish if you were looking to get a colony and start breeding them

a great look alike would be a chocoalte zebra,gold zebra pleco, queen imperial zebra

i am not fully aware of all the diffrent types of plecos but someone else here will probably have better info than me

here is a site on zebra plecos

http/www.zebrapleco.com/ go to that and you might find the reason not to get a zebra pleco

 

[KathyM]

Zebra plecs are beautiful, you're right However, it's best for now that they are only kept in groups for breeding purposes as they are so rare now. There are actually a few similar species - why not have a look through Planet Catfish for inspiration (if you haven't already)?

http/www.planetcatfish.com/core/

 

[dwarfgourami]

Tbh I could never understand why so many people set their hearts on a zebra plec, when there are so many other equally goodlooking loricariids out there. The chocolate plec, the leopard frog, the Queen Arabesque, the flash peckoltia- there is no shortage.

 

[MegTheFish]

Thanks for all the help, I'll defently be looking at other plecos then. I've looked through planetcatfish and have seen a few plecos that I like, but all the ones I like get atleast 8-10"! LoL.

 

[KathyM]

LOL tell me about it MegTheFish! The Queen Arabesque (L260, grows to 3-4") is to die for, so pretty. Or there's the King Tiger (L066) which is just as pretty and reaches 4-5". I also really love Mega Clown plecs - L340 - they had some of these in where I bought our Royal from and they are even more striking in real life.

 

[MegTheFish]

LOL tell me about it MegTheFish! The Queen Arabesque (L260, grows to 3-4") is to die for, so pretty. Or there's the King Tiger (L066) which is just as pretty and reaches 4-5". I also really love Mega Clown plecs - L340 - they had some of these in where I bought our Royal from and they are even more striking in real life.

Oh I love the tigers, we had one in at work that I fell in love with, it would come up to the front of the tank at feeding time and had the most interesting looking eyes I was planning on buying him once my tank was ready, but silly me assumed nobody would buy him because of his price tag, so I didn't claim him (my boss is really nice so would of probebly let me keep him there until my tank was ready too!). Of course somebody bought him I guess I could always order another one in, but you just get attached to one certain fish, LoL
And I REALLY want a royal SOOOO badly, but I think one would get too big for my tank

Was just looking at pics of the Queen Arabesque...are they really expensive? Because I really want one! I'm hoping their price tag isn't too high though. I'll have to look into it.

 

[MegTheFish]

Ok, this is my final list:
Tiger Pleco
Queen Arabesque Pleco
Snowball Pleco
Leopard Frog Pleco
Starlight Bristlenose Pleco
Sultan Pleco

I'll see which ones she can get in for me, obvouisly I won't be putting all of these in my tank.

 

[Sp3nc3r]

"I'll see which ones she can get in for me, obvouisly I won't be putting all of these in my tank. "

but wouldnt that be nice

 

[Fishy412]

i vote sultan pleco. they look so nice.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

I have a few contacts who privately breed pure zebras, and they sell them on when they reach 4-6 months for around £125 each with discounts for larger quantities, meaning one in $ from my contacts would be around $230.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I recently acquired a breeding colony of zebras. I had to out my other plecos to make room. The ones going out included 260s, 134s and 333s. Without a doubt the most striking of these 3 were the 134s which I would recommend you choose.

 

[RESGuy]

What a beautiful Pleco that is! I just have a Common Pleco! He was only $4.00 too lol