L316 - Jari zebra catfish Hypancistrus sp. DNZ 4-6 cm

The broad black and narrow white striped Jari zebra catfish (Hypancistrus sp.) L316 from the Rio Jari in South American Brazil reaches fully grown a size of 10-12 cm. Here in our online store you can get juveniles with 4-6 cm body length.
This great diurnal, but rather quiet L-catfish from South America is wonderfully pretty and very contrasty drawn. They should always be kept in a group, because they need the company of conspecifics to feel really comfortable. Here you can get offspring from Germany (DNZ) of this beautiful Hypancistrus species. The species may no longer be exported from Brazil, because it is under strict protection there.

The differentiation of the sexes of the Jari Zebraharni catfish is not very easy, but with a little basic knowledge it is possible. The body of the males is covered with strongly pronounced odontodes or bristles, which almost look a bit like a fluffy fur. This bristling is especially pronounced on the anterior margin of the pectoral fins. These peaceful and fairly easy to care for catfish live up to 15 years.

Breeding of the L 316 is quite possible in the aquarium. This black and white catfish is a cave breeder and should therefore have a larger number of caves in the aquarium. For selective breeding you can put a pair in an extra tank, but reproduction is also possible in the community aquarium with an appropriate peaceful stocking. There the conductance is lowered and also the pH value is lowered to slightly acidic. A higher current can also put the Hypancistrus sp. in spawning readiness. The male maintains and protects the clutch in the cave, which is laid by the female during mating. The fry can be raised on frozen foods and catfish sticks. They are not particularly picky about food.

The L316 feels most comfortable in soft to medium hard water with a GH up to 20 and a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Water temperatures should be rather high, between 27 and 30 °C is recommended. Since the Jari Zebra Catfish gets along with other fishes, it can besocialized very well with peaceful tetras , but also with other catfishes or other peaceful fishes that have similar requirements. Also to rather robust shrimps like Amanos or Neocaridina the Hypancistrus sp. fits very well.

As an omnivore the Hypancistrus sp. needs a mixture of animal and vegetable food. The Jari Zebra Catfish likes to eat frozen food, soft vegetables or special catfish tablets for loricariids. It also grates algae coverings with relish from time to time. Roots are important sources of dietary fiber for healthy intestinal function, which are very readily rasped off, as are brown autumn leaves.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed is a professionally formulated complete food especially for all sucking catfish. The food tabs contain important dietary fibers such as chitin and plant fibers, which are essential for the survival of catfish for a well-functioning digestion. With strong proteins from insect larvae as well as carbohydrate-rich vegetables NatureHolic Catfish Feed provides all sucking catfish optimally with all important building materials for a fast and healthy growth. The extra hard chips can be scraped off by the catfish close to nature - here they really have to do something for their food! An occupation like in nature.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.