False Zebra Pleco Care Guide – Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The False Zebra Pleco, sold under the code L173, is a striking Hypancistrus with a bold black-and-white pattern. Its body is compact and heavily plated, with a broad head, underslung mouth and strong pectoral and dorsal fins. The contrasting markings can vary between individuals, and some specimens show a more irregular pattern than the closely related Zebra Pleco, Hypancistrus zebra L046.

The False Zebra Pleco is associated with the Rio Xingu basin in Pará, northern Brazil, in the eastern Amazon region of South America. It comes from warm, clear, oxygen-rich sections of river with rocky surfaces, crevices and fast-flowing water.

A single False Zebra Pleco should have at least 100 litres, with a footprint of roughly 90 by 40 cm; a group requires a larger aquarium and additional floor space. Use strong filtration and excellent oxygenation while leaving some areas of gentle flow and sheltered resting places. Provide smooth rocks, slate, driftwood and several narrow caves or ceramic tubes, with a fine sand or smooth-gravel substrate that will not damage the underside. Open swimming space, shaded retreats and secure cover will help this nocturnal catfish behave naturally.

Up to about 12 cm (4.7 inches) in total length; males are usually slightly larger and more robust than females.

These plecos are primarily carnivorous and should receive a varied diet of high-quality sinking carnivore pellets, wafers and granules, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, krill and finely chopped seafood. Occasional soft vegetables can be offered, but meaty foods should form the main part of the diet. Feed after the aquarium lights have dimmed, when they are most active.

False Zebra Plecos are generally peaceful community catfish and can be kept with similarly peaceful tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, small peaceful cichlids and other calm South American species that enjoy warm water. They should not be housed with aggressive territorial fish, fin-nippers or large predatory species. Males may defend caves from one another, so multiple specimens need several separated shelters and sufficient floor space.

False Zebra Plecos are cave spawners and can be bred in a mature aquarium when provided with several snug, single-entry caves. A male usually claims a cave and attracts a female inside, where she deposits a small batch of eggs. The male guards and fans the eggs until they hatch, and the fry can be raised on fine sinking foods and newly hatched brine shrimp once their yolk sacs have been absorbed. Stable, clean, well-oxygenated water and a high-quality diet are important for successful spawning.

Mature males are generally broader through the head and develop more noticeable odontodes, or bristle-like growths, on the cheeks and along the pectoral-fin bases. Females tend to have a rounder abdomen when carrying eggs and usually show fewer, shorter odontodes.