18 replies to this topic

[cichlid4lyf]

im slowly starting to fall in love with this fish.
and i was wondering if anybody could answer these questions:
whats there retail price?
are they common or rare?
do they spawn just like bristlenose or different?
how do you sex them?
do they need any spaciall requirments?

if anyone could answer these questions that would be great.

thanks philip

[Johny]

there very rare now
there hard to keep
now they reatil for $700+ for very small juvie(2-3cm)....you'll be lucky to even find any
there also hard to breed....they need lots of current and need a tank to themselves and good paramters
not sure on sexin but i think it has something to do with some fins and there head shape? ill let someone more experienced to answer that one

anyway hope that helps

[Krystal]

whats there retail price? Approx $700 + depends on the source and what size they are
are they common or rare? Extremely rare, I believe there would be are a few people with them but they would be very very silly to tell anybody that they have them......they are not allowed into Australia....thats as elaborate as im getting
do they spawn just like bristlenose or different? Difficult to spawn, hence why we dont have many around. It has been done numerous times by numerous people so its not impossible.
how do you sex them? Dont know, if the breeders told us then they would be out of a job
do they need any spaciall requirements? Do a google search on them and check out plecofanatics.com.........great source for catfish enthusiasts

Hope to help Philip

[cichlid4lyf]

wow!

[Krystal]

HAHA, he is speechless

[cichlid4lyf]

i think i mite try peppies.
ill grow up some juvies and see how i go.

phillip

[rwillox]

The main reason for being so rare is the Brazilian govt banned them being exported.

Prices mentioned are a bit out. Few juvies over east have gone for around $500 each at around 3cm. If you could manage to get adults here in Aus be around $1500-$2000 each.

Was a colony of 7 in Sydney a couple of months back that sold for aroud $9500. Around 8-9cm I think they were. Not breeding colony.

In the UK juvies sell for around 75-100 pound ($170-220 Australian ). If only you could import them lol

Even experts have great difficulty sexing them but the males have odontodes on their pectoral fins. Many breeders also say the males have a much darker colour but that is just what some say.

How hard well really that depends on the fish and you (effort you put in to it, luck and knowledge), there are a number of breeders in the US and UK that have managed to beed them and quite regularly (10+ times a year for some of them - those are ones kept in a colony of 6+ though so is very likely not the same female each time).

L046

L046 Spawning Article

Those are a couple of links you may want to check out, but is a lot of other info out there also.

[Sazabi]

You are about 2-3 years too late in trying to get them *chuckles*

Prices varies, owners dont go about announcing they have the L046s. Breeders are a funny lot, some sell at exorbitant prices, some refuses to sell frys even if they were offered $1500.

It's considered the pleco to have, but personally I prefer the L066s or the L333s they look more of a zebra than a road crossing *chuckles*

Another rarity you might wanna look at is the L260s

[jack]

females are also more plump males more streamlined

over east maybe 500 if your extremely lucky but definately 700 plus for a 3cm juvie in wa unless you know the right people

[Happyfish]

I was chasing them for year and half no result and no money now LOL but i still hope that one final day
I'll have colony LOL cheers.

[rwillox]

It's considered the pleco to have, but personally I prefer the L066s or the L333s they look more of a zebra than a road crossing *chuckles*

Another rarity you might wanna look at is the L260s

All other hypans aye

All the hypans are nice looking fish.

---

http://www.zebrapleco.com/species.php

Look at the bottom of that page - good comparison of confirmed males/females. Clearly see the differences between them.

[Just Boots n all]

l would start with the cheaper and easier to breed Hypans, 333, 201...260 would not be included in the easy as the fry are very hard to raise,

The L333 young will cost about $125 each as will the L201's
in the meantime feast your eyes on these videos..........not mine





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7vMA6w6bjQ

[Johny]

females are also more plump males more streamlined

over east maybe 500 if your extremely lucky but definately 700 plus for a 3cm juvie in wa unless you know the right people

that was the price a few months ago....even over east there expensive now....a month ago a guy sold two zebs that were 4.5 cm for $900ea...these were sold straight away...and he was over east!

[Sazabi]

a month ago a guy sold two zebs that were 4.5 cm for $900ea...these were sold straight away...and he was over east!

Wonder who has them now?

[Den]

Second to the L046 I prefer the L066 compared to some of the others mentioned above, they seem to have more vivid/brighter black and white colours from what I have kept and seen around.

In my opinion save $500 per fish and go for L066 you'll hardly notice the difference, 99.9% you'll see almost the exact same thing, a black and white striped tail sticking out of a hide hole.

[ozjayok]

can't steve get them?

[shortie]

hope you have deep pockets lol
know of breeders in AUS but only have batches of 8 and the waiting list is a year deep
i saw 2cm fish going for $700ea recently
sexing is done by the head shape and body.
Hard to get, to keep, to breed and hard on the wallet
anything breeding size is like 1500+ea
i could probably track some down MAYBE!
but after this i doubt you'll be looking to buy lol
regards matt

[ozjayok]

so these fish are illegal to own right?

[Krystal]

yeah, they are not an allowable import