▷ L46 Zebra catfish in the aquarium | All information and details

Key data on the L46 zebra catfish

L46, zebra catfish or Hypancistrus zebra, grow to about 10 centimeters. They can be kept individually and in groups. There are reports that they appear to be more comfortable in groups. At least 4 L 46 should be kept together. During the acclimatization period, L46 are sensitive.
They are peaceful and relatively undemanding. They can be socialized well with other fish. However, they should not be kept together with thorn catfish.

L46 are relatively shy and like to hide. There must be enough hideouts to be available. Pipes of all sizes or gaps between stones are best. A whole group of zebras can e.g. B. live in a stage of thick pieces of slate.

L46 are usually active in the evenings and at night, at least initially. After the acclimatization period, however, they can often also be seen during the day. With lively other catfish, e.g. B. Ancristus, L46 should not be kept together. L46 may then get too little food. According to other reports, L46 and Ancristus can be kept together. After that, there are occasional fights, but neither kind permanently suppresses the other kind.

To be on the safe side, L 46 should not be socialized with other loricariids, pinnate catfish or Pimelodus catfish.
Sturisoma aureum, neons, guppies, thorn eyes and armored catfish are suitable for socializing.

Socialization of existing L46 groups

It can sometimes be difficult to get used to new L46s from long-established L46s. According to one report, 8 L46s died one after the other, which were added to an existing L 46 whose mate had died.

All attempts with younger L46, older L46, males, females etc. failed. Some newbies had wounds, probably caused by gill spikes. Others could see nothing. In the event of disputes among themselves, the brawlers crouch opposite one another. The animals start to tremble all over and they put up all their fins. There should be good water flow on the bottom. The zebra plecos like currents, partly because they transport fresh water into their crevices and niches. In addition, the oxygen content remains high despite the high temperatures. The contents of the pool should be circulated at least twice an hour. The flow can B. at 200 l aquarium volume but also 1200 liters / hour.

The L46 seem to like sandy soil better than gravel.

L46 prefer animal rather than plant food. Plant-based food is also needed from time to time. Algae and vegetables are not eaten because the teeth are not suitable for them. Food tablets are eaten after they have dissolved. The catfish only starve to death with flake food.

Wood is required for rasping.

The best feeding time is in the evening just before or after the lights are switched off.

Lining:

The sex differences in zebra catfish

Young L 46 (Hypancistrus zebra) Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Birger A

From a size of 5 to 6 centimeters, the sexes can be distinguished.

Males have longer intergill cover spines. Males have small teeth called odontodes on the first ray of their pectoral fins.

The head shape of the males is wider and shorter than the head shape of the females.

The head of the female is rather slender and pointed.
Males have a steeply sloping forehead when viewed from the side. The forehead of the females is flatter and more elongated.

The body of males tapers backwards from the head.

The body of the females first thickens backwards compared to the head and only then becomes slimmer.

Breeding and rearing of L46 catfish

Young zebra catfish, L 46, about 3.5 to 4 centimeters tall Photo: Hans Peter Wihsdorf

L46 spawn in caves. Round clay caves that are open on one side are suitable. The caves should have a length of about 80 millimeters and a diameter of about 25 millimeters. They shouldn’t be much bigger than the catfish.

Frozen rotifers, spirulina and frozen cyclops are suitable for rearing.

How fast young L46s grow depends heavily on the rearing conditions. In a normal community tank they grow very slowly. After three months, the animals have a size of about 3 to 3.5 centimeters. After a year they are 4 to 4.5 centimeters tall.

In a separate rearing tank, where they are fed frequently and a lot, they grow much faster.
But the more food is given, the more water changes are necessary. Most of the feed ends up in the filter. The filter is then quickly clogged. The filter must therefore be able to be cleaned quickly and easily.