Anyone have a L-46 Zebra Pleco?

[jibboo]

I'm completely intrigued by the Zebra Pleco I saw in a recent issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist. Does anyone have one? Anyone know where to get one? ThatFishPlace told me they can't order them for some reason, that I fail to recall (something about they don't export them anymore).

 

[An t-iasg]

Try giving this guy a call:

http://www.alloddballaquatics.com/

 

[crazyred]

They are very often for sale here:

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcatfishp

and here:

http://www.exoticfinds.net/firstplecopage.html

The first link, Aquabid, you are at the mercy of the current bid and they are going for BIG bucks!!! The second link, exoticfinds, had them for $225 a piece and says that htere are only 5 left. I've order a plec from exoticfinds, and they're great, but $225....GEEZ, hope you have some cash to spend!! I purchased a L-316. Just as cute, at a fraction of the price!!

 

[NorCalAl]

I would mention I've seen a lot of scams in relation to this fish. There's plenty to read on plecofanatics and planetcatfish on this, if you look.
There is an export ban, but it seems a few folks are having success breeding.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

The Zebra Pleco can no longer be exported from Brazil. There was a ban put in place I believe a year or two ago. All Zebra's that you find are either tank bred or are illegal. Be very careful with purchasing because there are false-zebras and they are all too common since the ban was put into place.

 

[Toirtis]

The Zebra Pleco can no longer be exported from Brazil. There was a ban put in place I believe a year or two ago. All Zebra's that you find are either tank bred or are illegal.

Or were exported prior to the ban.

There is a chap in NC that has bought up several (50+) zebras (including a bunch from Winnipeg that he flew up personally to collect) with the intention of starting a breeding operation...he will reel in some serious cash should he succeed. This sort of demand has pushed the going price of an adult zebra to $250-$350 each, and they will only go up from there.

 

[crazyred]

Exotic finds is an enormous plec breeding operation. That's all they have for sale at that site. That's why the Zebra has a limited availibility and a price tag of $225. At Aquabid, you would have to be very careful to avoid getting scammed. I would def. trust Exotic finds...if you have that kind of cash.

 

[jibboo]

cool thanks for the ideas guys ... I don't suppose anyone has or has previously every owned one? I had a queen arabasque and a gold nugget but found them both for under $18 at ThatFishPlace (about 40 mins from my house). Not sure I'm ready to take the plunge, just hoping to learn more and consider my options should I ever come into some extra money (and a breeding tank !!!).

 

[toddnbecka]

Figure minimum of $1000 for either a breeding pair, or several juvies to (hopefully) establish a breeding pair. Also, they are about as particular as discus when it comes to water quality, particularly for spawning. Then there's the time required to grow the fry to a decent size for sale, then finding buyers. All this is assuming they don't die for some unforseen reason...

 

[hulkamaniac]

I would give an arm and a leg for a breeding pair. I'd be very reticent to spend that much money on a fish though. I'd be afraid I'd kill it and then where would I be?

 

[toddnbecka]

You'd be out too much money for dead fish, same reason I haven't considered it myself.

 

[crazyred]

Problem with Hypancistrus is they hide all the time in the daytime. The only time that species ever comes out is at night. I would have a problem spending that kind of money on a fish that I would never see. I hardly ever see my L-316, and he is a very close cousin to the L-46....They are almost the same fish....except for the pattern and price.

EDIT: My L-316 Rio Jari pleco looks just like this one:

Photo courtesty of www.exoticfinds.net