Xingu pleco display

Save the Little Fish demo · Large, 55–75 gal · strong current, like a river or rapids · running 1321 days · shared October 2026

A rocky, fast-flowing tank modelled on the Rio Xingu: warm, clean water, a powerhead along the bottom and stacks of slate caves. One Hypancistrus species only, so any fry are pure.

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The fish

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Zebra

L046

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Plecos · HypancistrusCR

28–31°C!
pH 5.5–7.5
Strong!
3 in
Bottom
Meat
Peaceful

Brazil banned wild export, so Canadian stock is tank-bred.

Zebra

L046

Hypancistrus zebra

Volta Grande of the Rio Xingu, Brazil · rapids

Temperature: 28–31°C
pH: 5.5–7.5
Adult size: 3 in · 8 cm
Flow: Strong
Swims: Bottom
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Breeding: Moderate, slow
Typical price: $150–500
In Canada: Occasional
Status in the wild: Critically endangered

Brazil banned wild export, so Canadian stock is tank-bred. Clean, even stripes where L236 are broken and patchy.

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Photo: Birger A, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Our zebras took a year to settle, then spawned in the back cave every few months.

Candy stripe

L015

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Plecos · PeckoltiaUncommon

25–30°C
pH 5.5–7.5
Gentle
4 in
Bottom
Mixed
Peaceful

A small Peckoltia with bold yellow and dark bands.

Candy stripe

L015

Peckoltia vittata

Lower Amazon and Xingu basins, Brazil · river

Temperature: 25–30°C
pH: 5.5–7.5
Adult size: 4 in · 10 cm
Flow: Gentle
Swims: Bottom
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Breeding: Moderate
Typical price: $30–70
In Canada: Occasional
Rarity: Uncommon

A small Peckoltia with bold yellow and dark bands. Peaceful, and a different genus from L236.

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Photo: Gabriel Lelis Togni, CC BY 3.0

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Candy stripes are a different genus, so no hybrids, and they're out grazing far more than the zebras.

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Shared range 28–30°C
Every species is comfortable in this range.
No hybrid risk
No two species here can cross, so any fry that turn up are pure.
Stocking 35% of capacity
A rough estimate based on adult body size and tank volume.
Provide at least 9 caves
One per fish plus two spares, so nobody has to fight for a spot.
Only bottom dwellers
The open water above will look empty. A group of mid-water fish such as small tetras or rasboras fills it, if the water suits them.
Add strong flow
Some of these fish come from fast rivers. Run a powerhead along the bottom for flow and oxygen.
Tank size is a guess
Size and stocking checks use a typical tank of the size you picked. Add the real length and volume for a sharper answer.
Some values are estimates
Care data for L015, L046 is estimated or taken from the genus, not yet checked against a source.