Mouthwatering Photos

[buntbarsch]

I went to a good friend to take some pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/buntbarsch/Zebra%20Plecos/IMG_0821.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/buntbarsch/Zebra%20Plecos/IMG_0842-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/buntbarsch/Zebra%20Plecos/IMG_0849-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/buntbarsch/Zebra%20Plecos/IMG_0860-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/buntbarsch/Zebra%20Plecos/IMG_0867-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/buntbarsch/Zebra%20Plecos/IMG_0870-1.jpg

[Mikeinco]

Wow those are very interesting. What the heck are they? They look to be saltwater? I would love a few of those for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[Cichlidnewbie23]

Look like some sort of interesting pleco. i Would love to have some as well haha

[Chromedome]

Please tell me you two are joking. L-46, Hypancistrus zebra, has been the most desired Loricariid for 20+ years. The breeding of this species in Germany was one of the biggest announcements in the mid-90s, but it is still not easily done. They can no longer be exported from Brazil, and even tank raised specimens command very high prices.

Beautiful fish, Klaus, your friend is very good, or very lucky, or both. Nice shots, too!

[N. brichardi]

Nice pics, that is one of the most beautiful plecos in my opinion, to bad they are crazy expensive because id love to have some of those

[smitty]

Wow! Is he breeding them or did he hit the mega million lottery because he has atleast $3000.00 in fish just in 1 photo. If he is having luck in breeding them then tell him to ride it until his luck runs out. Thanks for thr photos.

[buntbarsch]

It took him about 2 1/2 years to figure out how to breed them. He now has four pair breeding regularly and at least 150 fish in all sizes. He sells the fry for about $75.00 each ($90.00 US LOL) but no shipping. The bad part is that you don't see that many during the day but feeding them is an awesome sight.

[chc]

Beautiful photos of a great animal!

I had a couple in a tank years ago. That they are seldom seen during the day is true enough, but it adds to their appeal in a way. When you do see them, it's like a special event!

I can only think how many more gorgeous fish there are in the Amazon basin YET to be discovered. Imagine the feeling of first finding H. zebra! I hope all the misguided ethanol propaganda doesn't result in more deforestation for cane and switchgrass fields (ruining the watersheds) and the elimination of beautiful species before we even get to see them.

[d_frag]

Beautiful photos of a great animal!

I had a couple in a tank years ago. That they are seldom seen during the day is true enough, but it adds to their appeal in a way. When you do see them, it's like a special event!

I can only think how many more gorgeous fish there are in the Amazon basin YET to be discovered. Imagine the feeling of first finding H. zebra! I hope all the misguided ethanol propaganda doesn't result in more deforestation for cane and switchgrass fields (ruining the watersheds) and the elimination of beautiful species before we even get to see them.

Ethanol is less of a danger in Brazil right now than the damming of the Amazon tributaries(switch grass I don't believe is their primary source either, I want to say it is sugar beets for ethanol). The Rio Xingu will be dammed, Zebra's come from the Xingu, as do L-66, L-14, L-333 and a host of other gorgeous plecos. Not to mention the Xingu pikes, Retroculus species, and a number of other cichlids. Many of if not all of these fast water fish will suffer greatly in the build process.

If I recall, there are also plans to dam the Rio Tapajos and a couple of other tributaries.

[smitty]

It is a shame how some people think, or not think. I will do what I am going to do and worry about the consequences later. That way of thinking is killing the planet. The one good thing is I will not live long enough too see it all happen.

[buntbarsch]

The Rio Xingu will be dammed, Zebra's come from the Xingu, as do L-66, L-14, L-333 and a host of other gorgeous plecos. Not to mention the Xingu pikes, Retroculus species, and a number of other cichlids. Many of if not all of these fast water fish will suffer greatly in the build process.

If I recall, there are also plans to dam the Rio Tapajos and a couple of other tributaries.

David, you hit the nail right on the head. The planned dam projects for the Amazon basin will certainly destroy many of the amazing fish in these rivers and the C.A.R.E.S. Priority List will grow even more.

[Dean Hougen]

Yeah, H. zebra was one of the big non-cichlid topics of discussion at ACA-90. It is great that your friend is having success at breeding them! One of my friends in Iowa bred them back in the 90s but only had a spawn or two. I hope your friend has continued success with them for a loooooooooooong time.


Dean