PlanetCatfish.com

I'm sure I read in one of the lists here that Brazil has stopped export on Zebra Pleco's.

So is this person:
1) advertising illegally exported goods.
2) fish caught or exported through another country.
3) just me misunderstood something.

http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/p ... 3&de=11362

Whilst I think they look absolutely fantastic, I don't think breaking the law in their original country is a good way to go about gettting them. Especially since we know that they can be bred in tanks...

Anyone else have any info/thoughts on this...

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Mats

I'm sure I read in one of the lists here that Brazil has stopped export on Zebra pl*co's.

From what i can tell and hear on other forums this is just a plain misinformation to raise prices...

I've been keeping L-046 for years now and used to be able to otain them very easily a couple of years ago. The two that i have arriving on Monday i've waited 8 months for.

IF what i have heard is true, the number of hypancitsrus Zebra being exported has now been restricted due to the dwindelling numbers in the wild.

They are therefore still obatinable but with more difficulty and, as said above, higher prices, 4-5 times what you would have had to pay for one 3 years ago!!!

Hi guys,

me again,

just to let anyone who is interested in zebra plecs

Calder Valley Koi Aquatic Centre in West Yorks got a delivery of ten this week.

I don't know what price they are, but know they will be too expensive for me. I had a look at them yesterday, some small, but some 3 inches long.

Give them a call

01422 836616

Those that come in here are wild caught ones too, doubt the statement is true too. But one thing for sure, their prices have rise!

Hi Guys

There are various rumours going round about the reasons behind the decline in numbers avaiable to the aquatic trade. The ban on exports from brazil does not seem to be correct as they do seem readily available on the import lists, just a high prices.

There is also a rumour that they are being bred in large vats by the banks of the Rio Xingu, hence why a large number of 1.5"-2", are beign imported. Whether this is true or not, I am unsure. Apparently, they are being sold at a premuim to eastern asian countries, and hence, it is more attractive for the exporters to ship there as opposed to europe / and the Americas.

Like others, I do feel that there is a great deal of "scaremongering" going on to increase the already over inflated prices.


Rob

I can second this. I have now been told from two reliable sources (one is a wholesaler) that there are some large breeding tanks set up next to the river. They are pumping in river water and selling the fish on as wild, because they have been reared in "wild" water.

Its simply a case, for the importer and dealer, of why sell the fish for less, when people are paying the VAST sums now being asked? It is self-perpetuating because hobbiest are thinking, I'll invest in a group get them breeding and then have a piece of the action in selling them on at the high prices. If/when the demand ever falls, the prices will also fall. I hope that happens soon because I would love to get some L046s again.

I tend to agree that there is a price gauge going on. I run a fish dept, and I can get L046 pretty regular, but they run about $60 bucks each. They ALWAYS come in at about 2", and they are ALWAYS big, fat, and happy. They are certainly not wild caught, so somebody is pulling the wool here. I do know, however, that even with the rediculously inflated price of this little fish, people buy them up. Even if they have to pay $120+ for them. So to all who have breeding pairs, more power to you, and have a good ride while it lasts!

You can at least double that here in the UK! Glad we are not in Australia though - $1000!!!!

Wow, I had no clue they were that outrageous! If anybody would be truly interested in getting a few, let me know we can work something out. I can't see charging more than $100 for a pleco, even if it is L046....

Are the quality of Zebras for sale the same nowadays as a decade again? the recent ones I've seen for sale at $80-120 seem dull to me, not very impressive to me, compared.

as for breeding them in their native land... if they can do it thats great(and helps the pressure on the natural population), but you would think if this was the case, they had large amounts of Zebras that would "flood" the market and would settle at a more reasonable price, or that this would happen eventually.

is this a similar situation to how they breed Tanganyikan Synodontis for sale as babies?

I think L no. plecs has moved on along way in the last ten years especially. Many more species are being bred. Therefore their popularity has increased.

I think with the L046, it has become the must have fish. Partly because of word of mouth and partly because of the high prices, status, almost. People also want to breed it to earn a bit of cash. I agree that it is fantastic to think this fish is now bred on a (relatively) commercial level. But I beleive that by limiting the stocks imported this pushes up the price. If the importers allowed the market to flood this would generate somewhat of a price war, forcing prices down. Sensible business sense, just hits the pockets hard!!

Hi Barbie

I respect your views and each to their own.

I am going on information from a wholesaler I spoke to last week who said they use an importer who was breeding L046s in relatively large numbers and currently had 500+ 2" zebras but who was only willing to supply limited stock i.e. 15 at a time. Seems strange to me, and if one is doing it, I bet they are not the only ones!

Regards

Tom

Tom2600,
your wholsaler maybe speaks truth, in fact, that is a great idea for that breeder..
Why would he sell 100+ zebras in one shipment with lower price, when he can sell 15 zebras with a relativly large price, and he knows he can sell other 475 easy step by step...

It can also depend on that the Brasilien government have some restrictions when it comes to export H.zebra which means that all exporters are only allowed to export a definite quantity each month of this species, and their best customer's are offered first and the leftovers to second customes. The reason is to protect them against over fishing.

Just what I have heard.

Janne