Breeding the Zebra Pleco

[AU_Arowana-RG]

Just wanted to know the best way to breed the Zebra Pleco. Considering that some people in Brazil have been given the permission of building dams in the lower part of the Xingu River, I start worrying about the future of the fish and feel that keeping them on this planet requires captive breeding.

Any tips?

[MatsP]

I'm not sure it's easy to define "the best way" to breed these - part of this would depend on what you define as "best" e.g. best for the parents, gives largest yield in young, makes the young grow quickest or some other aspect. Obviously, your first issue will be getting hold of good brood stock. As it is illegal to export them from Brazil, you shouldn't promote smuggling by buying the wild-caught fish that is exported, and you should buy captive bred fish from differnet breeders to ensure that you do not line-breed the fish.

There are a few articles and many posts on the subject of breeding Zebra plecos, so a forum search, lots of reading and then asking SPECIFIC questions would be more likely to give you more knowledge.

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Mats

[Zebra46]

Any tips?

Take a look at : http://www.zebrapleco.com

[AU_Arowana-RG]

Well, for a breakdown of questions:

1) What would be the ideal setup to induce/encourage breeding amongst adults?
2) What factors can contribute in larger spawns?
3) What would be the ideal parameters for maintaining the babies?
4) How should I go around in making the babies grow bigger?

[MatsP]

Well, for a breakdown of questions:

1) What would be the ideal setup to induce/encourage breeding amongst adults?

Good clean water, kept around 30'C with good oxygen levels. It doesn't appear to be important whether the water is hard or soft - in nature they are in relatively neutral/mildly acidic. Cool water change may trigger breeding, but I'm not sure it's entirely necessary.

2) What factors can contribute in larger spawns?

Good meaty food. Sinking pellets, live or frozen food. Letting the female grow a bit bigger before first spawn (by separating male and female fish) may allow slightly larger batches.

3) What would be the ideal parameters for maintaining the babies?

Clean water. As above.

4) How should I go around in making the babies grow bigger?

Good meaty food (as above) in small portions fed frequently and good water quality. Temperature around 30'C would help too.

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Mats

[AU_Arowana-RG]

Thanks for the tips and break down. How much should I expect to pay for a breeding pair/group?

[MatsP]

Thanks for the tips and break down. How much should I expect to pay for a breeding pair/group?

A known breeding group will probably cost quite a lot. I have no idea what the prices are in the Philipines, but here in this country, private seller sell small juveniles (1.5"/4cm) for around £50 (roughly US $80) - these are obviously not sexable, and adults are probably more like £150-200 (US $200-300) each. If it's a known breeding pair [and of course, unless you actually know the seller, you'll have to take their word for that] will set you back even more.

Shop prices are substantially higher.

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Mats