Does Anyone Keep Or Has Ever Kept Zebra Plecs?

[crazychris]

I see one of the Maidenhead Aquatics has three in at the moment at £180 each. Lovely fish but what a price. My lfs mate says the last he had in the late 90's were £40 each.

 

[shelaghfishface]

very lovely looking fish, but i dont and have never kept them for the same reason ( £)
think Grubbygirl does.or did

shelagh xxx

 

[Ben M]

same here, would love some, but £180 is taking the ...

cheers

 

[crazychris]

They were only discovered in 1991 and come from Brazil mainly. They weren't very dear to start with but then the Brazilian Govt. banned their export so now the only ones available to the hobby are captive bred so are much sought after and demand a high price. Some small ads have them at £300 to £400 for a very small young one. Same in the US, they sell for 500 dollars.

Seem to remember some were stolen from a MA last year so you can bet the three they have now are under lock and key near the counter1!

 

[hamfist]

I don't get what all the fuss is about them. I know they are rare, and I guess that's what creates the price. Personally I think other smaller plecs like the leopard frog L134 and the King Tiger L066 are much prettier fish (and much cheaper !!).

 

[Gilli]

You can pick them up on ebay much cheaper - im in the UK and they have a baby one up for £45 there at the moment - they also have a chocolate zebra for £55!

Zebra Plec

Chocolate Zebra Plec

 

[rdp50734]

there is a zebra here http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ZEBRA-PLECO-F1-6-MONTHS-OLD-specimen-3-4cm-L46-L046_W0QQitemZ150425454529QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item23060e47c1#ht_1757wt_958