Plus, you can keep them in a small group without territory issues. A 30-gallon tank provides more room to swim. However, we recommend going a bit larger if possible. Because these fish are on the smaller side, they donвЂ™t need a massive tank to stay happy.ДЄt the very least, you should keep them in a 20-gallon aquarium. You should prioritize their health when planning their habitat and diet, and always do your best to maintain their ideal water parameters.Д«elow are some established care guidelines you donвЂ™t want to miss. Many of their needs are similar to other species that come from South America.Д®ven still, itвЂ™s important to be vigilant about providing the best care possible. ThereвЂ™s nothing particularly difficult about Zebra Pleco care. Males tend to have wider heads than females. They look very similar!ДЄside from those tiny hair-line rays, the only major difference comes down to head size. TheyвЂ™re difficult to see, but they are often more prominent on males.ДЄuthor Note: Speaking of gender differences, it can be difficult to distinguish between males and females. The set closest to the head may feature short hairs as well. Two sets of pectoral fins can be found on the sides of the body.

Though, the fish can also lay it down flat for a more streamlined profile. The Zebra Pleco has a set of large rayed fins. The eyes are pretty large and bulbous, too, giving the fish a unique look. Surrounding the mouth, youвЂ™ll find four whiskers that are used to scope out the environment. Like other plecos, this species has a flat bottom and under-turned sucker mouth. These stripes run laterally and can get very vibrant under the right lighting conditions. They have alternating stripes of white and black. These fish are aptly named after the iconic coloration that covers their bodies. Proper care is a must if you want your Zebra Pleco to live as long as possible. In most cases, a shortened lifespan occurs if theyвЂ™re kept in substandard living conditions or have little access to high-quality foods. Like any other freshwater fish, this species is susceptible to illness and premature death. That said, there is no guarantee when it comes to life expectancy. In a well-maintained tank, the lifespan of these fish is between 10 and 15 years. LifespanД¬aring for a Zebra Pleco is a long commitment. Their growth is heavily impacted by the conditions theyвЂ™re kept in during development. TheyвЂ™re a bit smaller than other plecos, which can prove to be an issue if kept in a community tank (more on that later).ДЄuthor Note: If you want to maximize the size of your Zebra Pleco youвЂ™ll want to provide it with the best care possible. The average Zebra Pleco size is between 3 and 4 inches when fully grown. But when they finally come out of hiding, theyвЂ™re sure to be the center of attention in your tank. Shy and nocturnal, these fish arenвЂ™t the most active around. Unfortunately, this fish is classified as endangered in the wild due to the construction of dams in their natural habitat. In the wild, these fish are found Rio Xingu in Brazil. Thus, they usually come with a higher price tag. Often known as the Imperial Pleco, these fish are not as widespread as other types of plecos. This bottom-dwelling fish is a real head-turner! The Zebra Pleco (scientific name: Hypancistrus zebra) is a relatively rare freshwater species that is highly sought after by aquarists.

Zebra 2 tropical house