![clown pleco and red zebra cichlid clown pleco and red zebra cichlid](https://images3.ratemyfishtank.com/photo/12/1180x864h/12000/12131/6277-14-galaxy-pleco--l240--lYa2rB.jpg)
You can also use gravel as long as the pieces are too big to be swallowed.Īdd plenty of smooth rocks, driftwood and caves to create spaces to explore and hide in. To recreate this fun habitat in your tank you will need to start with a sand substrate layer. This provides an exciting environment with lots of places to explore and hide. The Zebra Pleco’s natural habitat is one of the clearest river basins of the Amazon with a wide variety of plant life. Perform regular water tests to monitor and maintain these conditions. The PH level should be within 6.5 and 7.0, and the water hardness within 2 to 6KH. The ideal water temperature is somewhere between 79 and 88 degrees fahrenheit. This is because the waters in their natural habitat are quite neutral. Zebra Plecos are more straightforward to look after than many other species of freshwater fish as the required water parameters are fairly wide. The most optimal tank mates for Zebra Plecos are more Zebra Plecos! A small community of Zebra Plecos will function best when one male is housed with several females, as this reduces aggression within the group. Zebra Plecos can also successfully live alongside freshwater aquarium snails, as long there aren’t too many of them. Suitable tank mates include cherry shrimp, phantom tetra and harlequin rasbora.
![clown pleco and red zebra cichlid clown pleco and red zebra cichlid](http://feldmansaquariums.com/images/fresh-water-fish-images/zebracichlid.jpg)
They should be preferably placed with fish that stick to the upper part of the aquarium.Īvoid placing them with other bottom dwellers of different species, especially ones that are larger in size, as Zebra Plecos are too timid to compete for food. Zebra Plecos can be housed with freshwater fish of a similar size that also have a peaceful temperament. Providing your Zebra Plecos with plenty of space is especially important if you are keeping them in a group as having more space will reduce disagreements over territory, Tank Mates Care Guide Tank SizeĢ0 gallons is the minimum requirement for Zebra Plecos, but the more space they have the better! 30 gallons recommended to give them plenty of room to swim around and explore. They are nocturnal, and despite their fancy coloring they are shy fish rather than gregarious show offs. However, they are successfully bred in captivity so are still available to purchase for home aquariums.
![clown pleco and red zebra cichlid clown pleco and red zebra cichlid](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/db/5a/fb/db5afb288d1e023b9104bdc11968829f--blue-berry-berries.jpg)
They are endemic to Rio Xingu in Brazil, but the construction of dams in this area has made them an endangered species in the wild. Zebra Plecos are not as common as other types of Pleco, and therefore are more expensive to buy.