Hypancistrus zebra (also known as zebra pleco) is
a species of catfish endemic to Brazil where it occurs in
the Big Bend area of the Xingu River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and
was first described in the early 1990s. It gets its name from its black
and white stripes, resembling the colouration of a zebra. This species
grows to a length of 6.4 centimetres (2.5 in) SL. This fish was
exported from Brazil in great numbers for sale as aquarium fish.
However, currently the Brazilian government bans the export of certain Hypancistrus,
including H. zebra.
H. zebra is threatened by the construction of the Belo
Monte Dam in the Xingu river which will cause a severe reduction of the
water flow of the entire known distribution range of the species. It is subject
to several captive breeding programs.
Mature males have a larger head and longer interopercular
spines than females. After spawning, the males will guard the eggs. The
fry swim after seven days and absorb the yolk sac in two weeks.
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