Species · Hypancistrus zebra

Zebra pleco: tank size, water and tank mates

Critically Endangered, export-restricted and expensive; needs warm, fast, highly oxygenated water; mostly carnivorous.

Adult size8 cm (3.1 in)
Minimum tank20 US gal
Temperature26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
pH6.5–7
Temperamentpeaceful
Keep in groups ofAlone or pairs
Swimsbottom
Shrimp & snailsCaution

Check a tank with Zebra pleco

Good tank mates for Zebra pleco

These species share its temperature range and temperament, with no fin-nipping or predation risk under our rules. Still check your tank size and bioload in the checker.

African butterflyfish · Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · Angelfish · Banjo catfish · Betta (male) · Black neon tetra · Black phantom tetra · Bloodfin tetra · Boeseman's rainbowfish · Buenos Aires tetra · Bumblebee goby · Cherry barb · Chili rasbora · Clown pleco · Colombian tetra · Diamond tetra · Dwarf gourami · Dwarf neon rainbowfish · Dwarf pencilfish · Ember tetra · Emperor tetra · Endler's livebearer · Firemouth cichlid · Forktail blue-eye

Avoid with Zebra pleco

Black ghost knifefish (predation) · Bristlenose pleco (temperature) · Bronze corydoras (temperature) · Checkerboard barb (temperature) · Common / comet goldfish (temperature) · Convict cichlid (aggression) · CPO dwarf crayfish (temperature) · Crystal red shrimp (temperature) · Demasoni cichlid (aggression) · Denison barb (temperature) · Dojo loach (temperature) · Emerald dwarf rasbora (temperature) · Fancy goldfish (temperature) · Gardneri killifish (temperature) · Gold barb (temperature) · Harlequin rasbora (temperature) · Jack Dempsey (aggression) · Jewel cichlid (aggression)

Sources

Checked 2026-11-09 · confidence: high. These are cautious community guidelines, not guarantees. Not veterinary advice. Report an error.