Zebra pleco care

Water temperature

79–88°F

Zebra plecos do best at 79–88°F and pH 6–7.5. Plan on 30 gallons or more. Good tank mates include bettas, angelfish, kuhli loaches.

Warm-water pleco that eats meaty food, not algae.

Hypancistrus zebra

pH

6–7.5

Minimum tank

30 gal

Adult size

3.5 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Alone or in pairs

Lifespan

10–15 years

Swims at

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• AngelfishYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• DiscusYes
• GuppyYes
• Yoyo loachYes
• Tiger barbYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• Congo tetraYes
• Clown loachYes
• Pearl gouramiYes
• Rummy nose tetraYes

Full zebra pleco tank mate chart: 34 yes, 40 with care, 24 no

Zebra pleco water compared

Fish to keep away from zebra plecos

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra plecos need 79–88°F. No temperature suits both.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); zebra plecos need 79–88°F. No temperature suits both.
• Flowerhorn An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.
• Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.
• Rosy barb No shared temperature. Rosy barbs need 64–77°F, zebra plecos need 79–88°F.
• Gold barb No shared temperature. Gold barbs need 64–75°F, zebra plecos need 79–88°F.

More catfish and plecos

• Corydoras72–79°F
• Bristlenose pleco73–81°F
• Pictus catfish72–79°F
• Otocinclus72–79°F
• Panda cory68–77°F
• Common pleco72–86°F
• Glass catfish75–80°F
• Upside down catfish72–79°F