{"product_id":"l129-false-zebra-pleco-hypancistrus-debilittera-freshwater","title":"L-129 False Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus debilittera)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eL-129 False Zebra Pleco\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eHypancistrus debilittera\u003c\/em\u003e), also sold as the Colombian Zebra Pleco, wears a maze of fine cream and dark chocolate vermiculation over its whole body and fins. It stays genuinely small, under three inches, which makes it one of the very few plecos that belongs in a normal community tank instead of a six foot monster tank. Care level is intermediate, temperament is peaceful. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to set it up properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead this before you buy:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus\u003c\/em\u003e plecos are \u003cstrong\u003ecarnivores\u003c\/strong\u003e, not algae eaters and not wood eaters. If you are shopping for a cleanup crew fish that will scrub your glass, this is the wrong fish. It needs to be fed meaty sinking foods like any other carnivore.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for a single fish, 30 gallons or more for a small group. Floor space matters far more than height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e largely carnivorous. Feed sinking carnivore pellets, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003efrozen bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-mini-cube-50g\"\u003emysis shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, and gel foods such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e. They will nibble vegetables without much enthusiasm. Feed after lights out at first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaves are essential:\u003c\/strong\u003e each fish wants its own tight, dark slot it can back into. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquavitro-ceramic-hide-b3-aquarium-log-cave\"\u003eCeramic pleco caves\u003c\/a\u003e, stacked smooth rock, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003edriftwood\u003c\/a\u003e tangles all work. A fish with nowhere to hide is a fish you never see.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow and oxygen:\u003c\/strong\u003e these come from fast rocky rapids. Give them brisk water movement and high oxygen, more than a typical community tank runs. A powerhead aimed across the rockwork is ideal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 84°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard. They tolerate a fairly wide range but not dirty water, so keep nitrates low with regular changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e fine sand suits them best and lets you see them foraging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBehavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e nocturnal at first. Once settled and confident they come out during the day, especially around feeding time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e cave spawner, and one of the more achievable \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus\u003c\/em\u003e to breed at home. The male claims a cave, guards 20 to 30 eggs, and tends the fry himself. Warm water at the top of the range and clean conditions trigger spawning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHypancistrus debilittera\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL-number\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eL-129\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFalse Zebra Pleco, Colombian Zebra Pleco, Colombian Zebra Plec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOrinoco basin, Colombia and Venezuela\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2.5 to 3 inches (6 to 7 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, territorial with other plecos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 to 84°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, sinking meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCave spawner, paternal care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful with everything that is not another pleco. It does well with tetras, rasboras, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ecorydoras\u003c\/a\u003e, peaceful barbs, and dwarf cichlids. The catch is that L-129 is a slow, methodical feeder and \u003cstrong\u003ewill not compete with greedy fish\u003c\/strong\u003e, so avoid boisterous tankmates that hoover up sinking food before it lands. Drop food after lights out if you keep it with fast eaters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong themselves they are territorial over caves. A single fish is easy. A group needs \u003cstrong\u003emore caves than fish\u003c\/strong\u003e so the loser of any dispute always has somewhere to go. They can be kept with other pleco species, including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-eye-lemon-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003ebushynose plecos\u003c\/a\u003e, as long as the tank has enough separate hiding spots for everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e, an invertivore gel built for carnivorous bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Mini Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-mini-cube-50g\"\u003eMysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e for frozen variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-scrapers-sinking-wafers-pleco-food\"\u003eXtreme Scrapers Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e as a dry staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquavitro-ceramic-hide-b3-aquarium-log-cave\"\u003eAquaVitro Ceramic Hide\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e, the caves this fish needs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eCholla Wood\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the real Zebra Pleco?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and the price difference tells the story. The true Zebra Pleco (L-046, \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus zebra\u003c\/em\u003e) comes from the Rio Xingu in Brazil, has been export-banned for years, and costs many hundreds of dollars. L-129 is a different species from Colombia with a finer, wavier maze pattern instead of bold clean stripes. It is a beautiful fish in its own right at a fraction of the cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it clean my algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. This is the single most common mistake with \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus\u003c\/em\u003e. They are carnivores and will slowly starve on an algae-only diet, even in a tank that looks green. Feed them meaty sinking foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need driftwood to digest food?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. That applies to \u003cem\u003ePanaque\u003c\/em\u003e and other wood-rasping plecos. L-129 appreciates driftwood as cover and structure, but it does not eat it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep several together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, and a group is the best way to see natural behavior and get spawning. Just give them a bigger footprint and more caves than fish, since disputes are all about cave real estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49026349007067,"sku":"420282","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/pleco-abc815c3-a3f5-44ea-a517-7b236ebc1493.png?v=1785023959","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/l129-false-zebra-pleco-hypancistrus-debilittera-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}