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Zebra Pleco

Just because somebody may have more money than most, and can easily afford a zebra pleco, doesn't mean they don't have any sense. Some people are gifted with more money than others, and it would seem that the people who don't have a lot of money, get jealous about it rather easily at times. I personally don't have a lot of money, and I'm going into a career that doesn't make a lot of money. That being said, if a person can easily afford a zebra pleco, and they're getting it because of their striking apperance, and not just to make a buck, then go for it.

As for me, I'm done debating with you because this is a pathetic thing to get yourself into a "snit" about.

God Bless,
Joshua
 
I'm not sure if I should be taking offence here or not...

I haven't got more money than most...
It took me a VERY long time to save up for our zebs - that coupled with an unexpected tax rebate is how I got ours....

Many members will have noticed I've had to sell a lot of fish over the last year - The zebs however are not for selling ;)
 
smithrc said:
I'm not sure if I should be taking offence here or not...

I haven't got more money than most...
It took me a VERY long time to save up for our zebs - that coupled with an unexpected tax rebate is how I got ours....

Many members will have noticed I've had to sell a lot of fish over the last year - The zebs however are not for selling ;)
Click to expand...


You're partly proving my point actually. I think most fish keepers who do end up buying zebra plecos, and taking good care of them, had to save for awhile before they were finally able to make the purchase.

God Bless,
Joshua
 
CrashingWaves said:
smithrc said:
I'm not sure if I should be taking offence here or not...

I haven't got more money than most...
It took me a VERY long time to save up for our zebs - that coupled with an unexpected tax rebate is how I got ours....

Many members will have noticed I've had to sell a lot of fish over the last year - The zebs however are not for selling ;)
Click to expand...


You're partly proving my point actually. I think most fish keepers who do end up buying zebra plecos, and taking good care of them, had to save for awhile before they were finally able to make the purchase.

God Bless,
Joshua
Click to expand...

cool ;)
 
crashing, just... learn to read. let me repeat the word ENTHUSIAST to you. here's a definition: someone who is full of intense enjoyment, interest, or approval. we are on a freaking fishkeeping forum. odds of anyone not falling into categories of 1&2 are slim.

i'm not trying to start some sort of class war, ok? i'm not trying to insinuate anything about monetary status (man, this is surreal just having to type out this defense). all i'm trying to say is that there are people who aren't breeders that are buying zebra plecs. at these sorts of prices, they must either really like zebra plecs (are enthusiasts) or they must just want to spend a lot of money (not enthusiasts). this sort of dichotomy is only possible due to the relatively high profile of the zebra; it's certainly not even close to being the most expensive fish in the trade.

i don't care one way or the other how easily one can purchase a zebra. that's not important. if you love zebra plecs, then feel free to buy a few. but don't come on here asking about getting a zebra to go in your rift lake cichlid tank. or if it will eat algae off the glass of your 30 gallon arowana tank. or if it will be compatible with your colony of brackish water puffers. because those are idiotic questions and indicate that you have no idea of how to properly keep a zebra pleco. if a person hasn't done the easy, basic research of how to keep a little gem of a fish like this... then they probably aren't an enthusiast.

i guess my point is: unless someone obviously has no idea about how to keep zebra plecs, we should probably be ok with them getting a couple. even if they aren't a breeder. i was more conservative earlier, but smithrc just pointed out that the price is somewhat artificially inflated at the moment meaning that there really is enough supply of tank-bred specimens for non-breeders to get into the game. it still seems that only people who are really keen on the species would have an ethical right to purchase them, but it's not like we have any actual control over people's purse-strings.

if people want to get zebra plecos, then that's their business. our business is disseminating accurate information and harassing anyone that just gets one zebra plec.
 
I really fail to see what you're having a cow about. Since when it all comes down to it, you seem to think the same thing I do. Ignorant people shouldn't be keeping fish, period. Drop it now.

God Bless,
Joshua
 
As somebody who breeds and sells zebras I thought I would add my 2 cents. I am one of those folks who wont sell singles and who screens prospective buyers before agreeing to sell. Yes, my goal is trying to get them into the hands of people I think will take proper care of them and hopefully end up spawning them. So why do I do this?

1. Zebras are not a good community tank fish for several reasons. They need warmer water- ie discus temps. They naturally are a hiding fish. In the wild they are able to move about under cover most of the time. They are a small somewhat timid fish that does not compete well for food. This is why many folks keep them in species only tanks. I certainly do not want to see my fish put into a tank environment in which they are likely not to survive long term. I doubt most buying a single will be putting it into the proper tank environment, though some would.

2. There is no reliable data on wild populations. Many argue that the fish is on the decline based on some preliminary research now ongoing. Moreover, if the Brazilian government decides to go ahead and dam their river, they could become extinct. There is no way to know today what will come to pass in this respect. However, if enough folks are engaged in successful captive breeding, the existence of this fish on the planet will be assured no matter what transpires in the wild.

3. Zebras grow slowly and take a few years to reach spawning age. Even if one has fish old enough, there is no guarantee they will spawn. When they do they typically only end up producing 10-12 fry on average. Raising the fry successfully is often as challenging as getting them to spawn. Given the time factor and small numbers, more breeders will mean higher odds for success overall.

4. While there are folks all over the world who now are spawning this fish and selling the offspring, I have yet to read about anybody offering F2 fish for sale. Until things reach the stage of their being not only F2s but F3s etc, I doubt the prices will come down much nor that breeders will be offering them in ones and twos.

5. Finally, over the years I have taken a lot from this hobby, breeding zebras was the first time I actually felt as if I was giving something back.

Just my 2 cents guys. I can only control what I do, what others breeders and sellers decide they want to do is their decision.
 
I have completely nothing to do with this argument, nor do I know the exact numbers/issues with having zebra's, but just wanted to say I think they are a beautiful fish - probably my favourite pleco out of them all. Never seen one personally in real life, only from photographs - and they are absolutely stunning.

If I had the tank and supplies for spawning them - heck, I'd give it a go. And most definitely not to make money, simply as an enthusiast of the zebra pleco and the joy of owning them. Seems like they are an awesome little fish. :)
 
I am guessing that the F2 ,F3's are future generations? But if im wrong what does it mean?

I would love a troup of the zebras but they are expensive. I would try to breed them but should the fact that i may not be able to breed them stop me from buying them? I just think they look great and provide a whole different aspect to your tank.

Interesting topic, pity about the fighting. The written word can be taken in many different ways its seems.

Craig
 
robbo87 said:
i know it isnt my decision but i didnt mean it like that i meant that if someone could get hold of one them it is up to them whether they breed or not, obviously you will have the people who will breed them and only sell to others knowing they are going to breed them to because that is what they believe is right and we do need people like that but cant see anything wrong with one in a community tank.
Click to expand...

I also don't know what the fighting is about. The OP is obviously a flamer/troll that is asking every forum where to get a Zeb (post 1 day after joining) or completely arrogant about fish as he states himself it is going into a community tank....where it will be outcompeted for food and starve to death.

Or catch whitespot from the platies, mollies and guppies in the tank.

Or get eaten by a Nursing Shark that the OP though could go in his 500Ltr tank.

As for F2,F3 etc. Not too sure a lot of the breeders are entirely honest about this. Yes there are the moral and real enthusiast of fish that will honestly state the generation, but I think there are also loads of professional breeders that probably have had success with F2,3 and are calling them F1 to keep the price high (as that is how they make their money)

One day I will get a group of Zebs once I have the money and a decent home for them but until I get my Nano they'll have to wait<---he he. tongue firmly in cheek.

Andy
 
SuperColey1 said:
As for F2,F3 etc. Not too sure a lot of the breeders are entirely honest about this. Yes there are the moral and real enthusiast of fish that will honestly state the generation, but I think there are also loads of professional breeders that probably have had success with F2,3 and are calling them F1 to keep the price high (as that is how they make their money)

One day I will get a group of Zebs once I have the money and a decent home for them but until I get my Nano they'll have to wait<---he he. tongue firmly in cheek.

Andy
Click to expand...

Ah... but if the F1 is being bread with a wild caught partner... they will produce what are classed as F1 fry... It gets quite complicated - I think if you breed an F2 eg 2nd generation tank bred (fry from tank bred parents) with a wild - you get F1.5's.

I'm not in the position to sell anything other that first generation - I'm not sure if thats a good claim or not :?
 
If I were to burgle some from your house would they be F0.5 seeing as I virtually caught them? lol

Andy
 
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