Zebra Pleco or any other that stays under 8"

[Reafer]

i am looking for a zebra pleco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plecostomus), Hypancistrus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypancistrus) zebra, in the PE area or anyone of the following:bigsmile: i know its a big list but i am looking for a pleco that stays under 8" and i am a noob still and have no idea whats available , i know the zebra is rare. Thx

1. Flash Pleco, L204- 5.2" 130mm
2. Imperial Pleco, Zebra Pleco, L046, L098, L173
3. Clown Pleco, Ringlet Pleco, L104, L162, LDA22- 4" 100mm
4. Queen Arabesque Pleco L260~ 5" 125mm
5. King Tiger Pleco, Network Pleco, Scribbled Pleco, L066- 4.8" 120mm
6. Leopard Frog Pleco, L134 4.4" 110mm
7. Bristlenose Catfish, Common Bristlenose Catfish, L?- 5" 125mm
8. Green Pleco, Lemon spotted Green Pleco, L200- 7.2" 180mm
9. Starlight Bristlenose Catfish, L183- 4.0" 100mm
10. Para Pleco, L075, L124, L301, LDA02- 6" 150mm
11. Hypancistrus sp. ,L333- 6" 150mm
12. Butterfly Pleco, Flounder Pleco, L168- 5.6" 140mm
13. Hemiancistrus sp. L128- 7.2" 180mm
14. Tiger ''Peckoltia'', L002, L074- 4" 100mm
15. Candy Striped Pleco, L015- 4" 100mm
16. Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus, L001, L022- 8" 200mm
17. Angelicus Pleco, Portel Angelicus Pleco, L004, L005, L028, L073- 4" 100mm
18. Chocolate Zebra Pleco, L270, L307, LDA76- 4" 100mm
19. Medusa Pleco, L034- 8" 200mm
20. Spotted Medusa Pleco, L255- 8" 200mm
21. Dekeyseria sp., Butterfly Pleco, Flounder Pleco L052- 4.8" 120mm
22. Pitbull Plec LDA25 - 2" 50mm
23. Brown Dot Peckoltia, L006- 4" 100mm
24. Leopard Peckoltia, L008- 3.2" 80mm
25. Ancistrini sp. L016-6" 150mm
26. Snowball Pleco (Hypancistrus sp.) L102- 6.4" 160mm
27. Spotted Orange Seam Pleco L106- 6" 150mm
28. Hypancistrus sp. L129- 2.8" 70mm
29. Spectracanthicus sp. L254- 4.4" 110mm
30. Panaque sp. L306, LDA64- 4.8" 120mm

[Risen]

Welcome to my dilemma

[Rory]

I've heard Zebra Pleco can't get above 4 inches...

[Reafer]

alot i have read says there average size is about 3.2" about 80mm

[Dirk Bellstedt]

If properly fed Zebra plecos will get to 15 cm.

Your biggest problem is that they are no longer exported from Brazil. They were caught to the point where the authorities there decided that they were threatened by overexploitation, and they stopped all catching and exports. The result has been that the only fishes available are ones that are captive bred. This is reasonably easy, but the numbers are low and therefore the prices are high. You will be lucky to get them is SA at a price below R1000 per fish, although I know some folks that have some, but they have not bred them yet......

Kind regards,

Dirk

[viking]

HI there does any one know the whereabouts of a couple of these fish? I am based in CT. Any help or advice will be appreciated.

[Dirk Bellstedt]

Hi Viking,

The status with regard to these fishes has not changed since my mail and you can just about forget it, they are not going to be available in SA.

Kind regards,

Dirk

[Big G]

There were a few Zebra Plecos available from a guy I heard about, but their price was way over R3000 a fish!!

I think the waterzoo (sponsor) can get them from time to time, but they are most definately a fish for the specialist, and the rich specialist at that!

Regards
G!

[viking]

Thanks BigG
aND WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF SAID g





Thanks Big G
And would you happen to know where I could contact this person?

[Big G]

You could look in the Sponsors section of the forum, and post a request in 'the waterzoo's' section? He's based in Capetown.

Otherwise, I'll try and track down the other 'supplier'? Can't remember who it was now? I dismissed the info from my memory banks as I could never justify that on a single fish! The wife would eat me alive!! Hehe!!

Regards
G!

[jedigenie]

I know who had a Clown Pleco recently and who stocks Bristlenose Pleco. PM me for the details

[Big G]

Ancistrus (Bristlenose Pleco) are widely available.

Clown Plecos are also becoming more common, and I've seen their prices vary from R70 - R350 depending on which 'clown pleco' you are talking about?

I think our good friend is looking for somthing a little more upmarket perhaps?

Regards
G!

[Reafer]

PM Altum he could get a little while ago but as big G said expect R3000+ a fish

[viking]

Mmmm.
And seeing that I want to breed them....I may have to double dip into the reserves....ssshhhh!
I would like to get in contact with other zebra keepers so any lead would be welcome!

[Big G]

PM Altum he could get a little while ago but as big G said expect R3000+ a fish

I meant to type Altum in there! Altum is the Waterzoo.

You could also try Dolphin (another TASA sponsor), as he can get most things?

I would expect that it would not be as easy as having a male and female, and that in fact a group would be the best way forward? I may be wrong, but there is a reason why they are not readily available, and that is because they are known to be hard to breed!

As I see it, having a group of them would definately increase your chances! So maybe take out a second bond! Hehe!

Regards
G!

[jedigenie]

The clown pleco I was referring to is a Panaque Maccus. I bought one about 6 months ago and it's looking like a real "breeker" hehe. Most sites state that it tops out at about 5". Paid R100 for mine happily.

[viking]

Hi Big G
Now there is an idea and I could them pay them off over 20 years! Sounds fantastic, you're a genius ....or you've done this before hehe! Found a good site at :http://www.mchportal.com/fishkeeping-mainmenu-60/stock-the-inhabitants-mainmenu-79/breeding-hints-and-tips-mainmenu-83/285-keeping-and-breeding-hypancistrus-zebra-l46.html.
And he is a fellow country man of mine to boot.....HUP HOLLAND!!!!!!
My mom is going over for 3 months.....maybe she ......how long do you think the fishies will make it in your hand luggage...........?