Description
Quick answer: L046 zebra pleco is Hypancistrus zebra, a small black and white striped pleco from the Rio Xingu with an adult size of about 4 cm. It is a protected species, so any trade enquiry is handled with documentation and permit status confirmed before an order is discussed.
This is not a volume fish and it is not a beginner fish. It is a specialist animal with a legal dimension, and any supplier who treats it like a normal catalogue line is taking a risk on behalf of the buyer. We handle it as an enquiry first, order second.
Identification
Bold black and white stripes running vertically across the body and horizontally across the fins, a compact body and a small adult size of around 4 cm. There is no close lookalike in the trade at that size and pattern, which is why the L number is used more often than the scientific name.
Water parameters
Warm, oxygen rich water: 26 to 30 degrees Celsius, pH 6.2 to 7.2, strong current and a rocky cave structure. They are carnivorous and eat meaty foods rather than algae, which surprises keepers who assume every pleco grazes glass.
Trade status and documentation
Hypancistrus zebra is protected in its native range and international movement is regulated. Before any order is discussed we confirm the origin, the accompanying documentation and the import rules that apply at the destination. Buyers should expect that conversation, not resent it. A cheap L046 with no paperwork is a problem, not a bargain.
Packing and handling
Small, valuable and sensitive. Fish are packed individually or in very small groups, oxygen filled, with clean water and conservative density. Transit is planned rather than improvised because losses on this species are expensive.
Ordering
Send the enquiry with quantity, destination and the documentation you need. We reply with what can be supported, the papers involved and the delivery terms, or we say clearly that the order cannot proceed.
What buyers should know about price
L046 is expensive for three reasons: slow growth, small clutches and regulated movement. A fish that takes years to reach 4 cm and produces a handful of fry per spawn cannot be cheap, and a price far below the market usually signals missing paperwork or a different species. Buyers comparing quotes should compare documentation before they compare numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How big does an L046 grow?
Around 4 cm, which is why it suits small specialist setups.
Do they eat algae?
No. They are carnivores and need meaty foods.
Why is documentation required?
Hypancistrus zebra is a protected species with regulated international movement. Paperwork is part of the sale, not an optional extra.
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