Biotopes of Brasil | Rio Xingu, home of the Zebra Pleco

The Zebra pleco Hypancistrus zebra is endemic to the middle of Brazil’s Rio Xingu (pronounced shin goo) and is among the list of catfish species at risk from the Belo Monte dam. It lives at a depth where the surroundings are, at best, pretty gloomy, if not completely dark. It lives in the cracks, gaps and natural caves found in the very specific type of rock found in the river. This is dark brown to black hard igneous rock that, in shallower water, is set in tan-coloured sand. There is very little submerged wood, there are virtually no plants and the water belts through the area at a rate of knots. Many of these areas are rapids and the water is highly oxygenated. (Practical Fishkeeping)

This is the habitat, rocks and sand seems to dominate the area. But a few *roots were caught between some of the rocks.* – Peter Petersen ©

The future of this amazing fish is questionable. The habitat is getting smaller. The construction of a large dam (Belo Monte) have changed the current of the river and the visibility of the water. Silt makes the water look cloudy like this – Peter Petersen ©

In the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, an epic battle to stop the world’s third-largest hydroelectric dam on the Xingu River lasted for decades. Ignoring widespread protests and warnings from scientists, while riding roughshod over the rule of law, the Brazilian government insisted on pushing ahead with Belo Monte, no matter what the cost.

An old beer turned out to be an excellent pleco cave. I found a small *Hypancistrus zebra* in this can. – Peter Petersen ©

Sympatric species Brycon pesu, Tometes kranponhah and Hypomasticus julii | P. Petersen ©

Scenic view of the Rio Xingu | M. S. Perez ©

Natural habitat and biotope aquarium of Hypancistrus zebra (l46) – Landro Souza

References:
> https://amazonas.dk/index.php/articles/brasilien-rio-xingu
> https://www.facebook.com/pg/loricariidae1/photos/?tab=album&album_id=337715283016443
> https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/the-zebra-plec-learn-your-stripes/
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/230491263804381

The Author

C.E. Fish Essentials

C.E. Fish Essentials was established in 2009 as a small family company manufacturing advanced nutrition for farmed and ornamental fishes. It was founded by long term aquarist and wildlife naturalist Chris Englezou and nowadays is the go-to hub for all knowledge related to aquatic habitats, biodiversity and aquaria.

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