The Living Habitat of the Zebra Pleco Fish
Meta Description: Zebra Pleco fish live in a fast-moving current with specific water parameters, and they mostly spend their life hiding in crevices.
Zebra Pleco is a species of catfish with a unique appearance that resembles the iconic pattern of the zebra, making it one of many fishes that are highly recommended to be put in the aquarium. The beauty of this fish makes people wonder about everything related to the fish, including the habitat of the Zebra Pleco.
Where Are They Originally Live?
Zebra Pleco is an endemic freshwater species in Rio Xingu, Brazil, which means it can only be found in that area. The environment of the Xingu River is perfect for them, from the condition of the water to the floor of the river which also becomes the guideline for building a habitable aquarium.
Sadly, they are confronted by the threat of the dam construction in Xingu that potentially makes the fish go extinct. The combination of how they can only be found in one area and the danger they are facing makes them classified as rare fish, which is why their price is high.
What Are the Characteristics of Their Habitat?
Zebra Pleco is well known as a fish that needs specific conditions to live. These are some characteristics of the habitat of the Zebra Pleco that you need to know.
The Water Condition
The very first thing you need to know about the habitat of the Zebra Pleco is the water temperature. The suitable temperature of the Zebra Pleco ranges from 79 to 88 °F, with an ideal temperature in the middle.
They also prefer water with a pH level of 6.5 to 7.0, which is as close to neutral as possible. If the water is lower than 6.5 and above 7.0, it will harm them because it can cause stress and sickness.
The water flow is another thing you need to know about the water condition of where the Zebra Pleco lives. They need to live in fast-moving water flow rich in oxygen. Otherwise, they will die if the water flow is still even when the temperature and the pH level are correct.
The Hiding Place
Zebra Pleco is extremely shy that they will spend hours just hiding in their hiding places. They are also nocturnal creatures, so you will not see any of their appearance during the day or under harsh lightning.
Because of how shy and passive the fish is, they highly depend on their hiding place. They like to hide in the river's tiny crevices, cracks, natural caves, and fallen trees. They are also very territorial and tend to stay away from other fish.
In this hiding place, they can also find foods such as worms and algae, especially in the crevices because the substrate of the river is rich with nutrients from volcanic rock and plants. This is why hiding places are essential to them.
From the previous explanation, you can see that the habitat of the Zebra Pleco is indeed unique with all of the parameters and how the habitat supports their behavior. Most importantly, the habitat is crucial to the sustainability of the Zebra Pleco so feeding your soul with this knowledge is an excellent thing!
Reference:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/jan08/zebra-pleco.htm
https://www.tfhmagazine.com/articles/freshwater/how-to-build-a-zebra-pleco-habitat
https://www.zebrapleco.com/core/zebra_pleco_habitat.php
https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/the-zebra-plec-learn-your-stripes/