Synonyms: None

Type Locality: Isbrücker & Nijssen's description states "About 1 hr. upstream of Altamira by speedboat, anastomoses of Rio Xingu, Pará, Brazil.". However, in keeping with much about this species, this is incorrect. Isbrücker & Nijssen did not collect in the Xingu. The source of this information to the describers was influenced by the desire to keep that commercially valuable information restricted for as long as possible. The real locality is closer to one hour downstream by speedboat from Altamira.

Size: 80mm SL

Identification: The most high-profile aquarium catfish of our time. Known by the l-number L046 (the common form) and L098 which is a uncommonly found wavy / broken line colour variation.

General Remarks:

Feeding: Unlike the popular opinion of many other loricariids, H. zebra is more of a carnivore than an algae eater. This is backed up by a small and lightly toothed mouth that indicates it is a poor algae eater. Provide mainly meaty foods such as bloodworm and even brineshrimp.

Furniture: The Rio Xingú is full of rocks of many sizes with some fine sand between them. H. zebra is collected in deeper mid-water channels where it hides in crevices. The ideal H. zebra tank would be set up much differently than what we picture as a typical ''South American'' biotope. The tank should resemble a rocky riffle area in a stream with jumbles of rounded rocks and good water movement. Provide lots of small caves as the fish normally live and spawn in the caves and cracks of rocks. The rocks should be assembled in a haphazard fashion to create lots of crevices and shelves in which the fish can cram themselves. Sand is preferable, but large rounded gravel or bare-bottomed tanks are also accepted. Prefers dark rock to bogwood but I would provide some wood (many people claim that their zebras never touch the stuff) - better safe than sorry in my opinion.

Compatibility: Peaceful but choose tankmates wisely as Zebras do not compete well for food with particularly fast or aggressive tankmates.

Tankmates: An ideal (although expensive) addition to any community tank especially one stocked with active, but not boisterous, current loving fish. For some reason many people ask if this species can be kept with discus or loaches, it can, but you are unlikely to get the best out of this fish in such company. Best kept in groups of 1 male and 2-3 females with active, current loving dither fish.

Registered Keepers: (1) Jools (k: 35).

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my fish" data for this species.

Add this species to your "my fish" page.

Sexing: The first pectoral fin ray of the male is somewhat thicker than that of the female. Males in breeding condition further develop their spine-like ''odontodes'' on this ray. The male has a slightly broader head than the female, best observed from above.

Breeding: Raise temp. to at least 82°F and ensure the tank is well aerated and heavily filtered (A tank turnover rate of 6 times an hour is not excessive). Ensure there are many spawning caves and crevices available for the fish to select. During spawning - which takes place in several batches - the male blocks the cave entrance with his head. The female persuades the male away from guarding the cave entrance to fertilize the eggs. Once this is complete the male will often have to push the female out of the cave before he can resume his parental guarding. It is quite common that the first spawn will be more of a ''trial run'' and the eggs will remain infertile. There are typically between seven and 15 eggs laid. They take around 7 days to hatch, after 10 the yolk sac should be completely consumed and feeding begins. They immediately take dried foods and frozen or live brine shrimp nauplii. They will take about 2.5 months to reach 1'' in length.

Breeding Reports: (1) Jools (b: 13).

See also the Hypancistrus zebra page on PlanetCatfish.com.

Last Update: 2010-03-27 03:00:24 (species record created: 2001-04-25 00:00:00)