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There are different views also on the validity of L173 being a different species that looks similar but is a completely different fish. However, it is not uncommon for some 173s to go through a developmental stage where they do look like zebras to the untrained eye. But if one knows and works with both fish, it is clear there is a difference between the two. L173 all have gold rimed eyes whereas zebras never have this and L173 also gets much bigger than zebra. Aquarium Care: They are quite tolerant of water conditions as long as the water is kept clean and warm and you keep the water changes up. A good tip when first buying them is to acclimatise them in a smaller tank before transferring them to your main aquarium, this way you can make sure that they are feeding well and are also happy in the water conditions. You can decorate this tank with cave like structures akin to the home where it will eventually reside. Keeping the 'Zebra Pleco' in the aquarium is not too much of a problem as long as you give them plenty of hiding places, caves, rounded boulders, plant pots and pipework. They also like the water to be well oxygenated owing to the higher temperatures that is best given to them. You could also add some wood to their tank but according to some aquarists, who have kept this species, it isn't totally necessary. Diet: Not a true vegetarian so more meaty type foods would need to be fed. This includes live bloodworm, frozen foods such as muscle, tubifex and bloodworm and the usual tablet food offerings. Remarks: Since December 2004 the exportation of H.zebra has been forbidden.

Zebra Pleco, L046

None

Loricariidae

Brazil: Down stream of the Volta Grande (Big Bend) of the Xingu.

10.0cm. (4ins)

26-28°c (79-83°f.)

6.0-7.0.

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 56. Feb. 2001.
twotankamin: per comm.