Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Everything you ever wanted to say about "Zebra luvin", but didn't because you thought everyone would take the mickey! Plus general topics for discussion including everything from what you feed them to your personal experiences.

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Kirstos
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Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by Kirstos »

Hi everyone

I have been lurking round the forum for a while but this is my first post if you dont mind.

I have two groups of zebs, a group of 5 captive bred juveniles which I have had since March and I have just purchased a group of 5 large wild caught zebs from Pier Aquatics. I have a couple of questions if you dont mind.

For the adults, are there any particular foods you guys recommend (Im from the UK)? I currently feed the juveniles Hikari carnivore pellets, Tetra Prima, New Era Plec pellets, Aquaone Discus bits along with some frozen food. Will that be adequate for the adults as well or should I supplement with some other foods too?

What size tank would you recommend for the new group of five adults? I was planning on it being just them or with a small group of cardinals or such like for some colour that wont bother the plecs but can stand the temperature. I have sand, wood and slate ready for the tank once they are finished in QT. Would cardinals eat fry?

Also, I know that the zebras like a good current and lots of dissolved oxygen, would a powerful filter be enough for them or should I supplement with a power head?

Sorry for all the questions! I appreciate all your time and responses :notworthy:

Thanks
Kirsty
Kirstos
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by Kirstos »

Any ideas anyone? Any information would be welcome, I want to make sure I dont make any mistakes! :dizzy:
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stickfly
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by stickfly »

Hi Kirsty,
I'm not a breeder or specialist keeper of zebras but I have a group of 5 zebras in my 5 foot community aquarium.
They love live bloodworm, obviously, but they also go mad for Tetra Plec pellets and King British catfish pellet food. In fact they seem to eat anything! I think you are feeding them fine, they shouldn't require any other supplements. ( Mine also seem to love King British Pleco tablets which are mainly plant & algae )
Mine are in a 5 foot ( 350 litre ) aquarium ( sand, slate caves, plants & Fluval 306 + 406 ext' filters ) with a group of 13 cardinals. I don't know if the cardinals will eat the fry as I have never had the zebras breed. ( Or perhaps the cardinals have eaten them before I notice the fry :shock: )
The zebras are great fish & I would like to get 2 more to add. Shame they are so expensive.
Regards ........ Gary
Kirstos
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by Kirstos »

Thanks for taking the time to reply Gary, I really appreciate it. :)

They are in a tank with some cardinals at the moment so I think when I move them to their own tank I will put just them in on their own for a bit (or perhaps with a few red cherry chrimp) so I can be sure they are the ones eating until I am a bit more confident with them. My captive bred juveniles eat anything I put in their tank for them so I am happy that anything I put in they will hoover up!

In terms of the current and oxygenation, would I be better to include two filters both with spray bars (I was thinking that this would be a useful back up) or one filter and one powerhead?

Thanks!

Kirsty
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stickfly
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by stickfly »

Hi Kirsty,
I didn't plan to use 2 filters. I bought a larger aquarium and my original Fluval 306 wasn't man enough so I bought a Fluval 406. After running the aquarium for a few weeks I just thought "why leave the 306 in the shed just in case I need it in the future when I can just add it to the setup now ". That way I get increased flow + increased filtration. And if one filter packs up at least there is another running until I sort the duff one.
My filters don't use spray bars, they just pump the water in about 4" below the water level. One pumps into the left rear corner & the other the right corner. This produces a large turnover of water, but to be honest I don't think there's a lot of flow at the bottom where the zebra's & the caves are.
Eheim do some good little internal pumps/powerheads that supply good flow. May try one myself as they can be placed low down above the sand but they may just kick up too much waste etc.
I'm surprised about the lack of answers you've had here from some of the more experienced zebra keepers. :(

Regards .............. Gary.
Kirstos
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by Kirstos »

Hi Gary

Thanks again for taking the time to reply, it is very much appreciated. I know you cant over filter but I am just toying with different ideas about filters/powerheads etc.

Thanks again!~
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TwoTankAmin
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by TwoTankAmin »

Good oxygen is more important than flow. I keep mine in all sorts of setups, some have powerheads for flow and others use power filters and sponge filters.

In breeder tanks I try to have a decent, but not strong flow that runs across the cave entrances (not into the caves). I know folks who spawn them in tanks with only sponge filters.
What makes the common person uncommon is common sense.
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Bugsy
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by Bugsy »

I have my 2 zebras with an Aqua Clear Filter running and the most important part is the airstone. This was one of my big faults first time around with these fish when I lost one of them wont do that again.

With the higher temps they really need more oxygen in the water, an airstone is a great addition. I have a valve on mine so I can control the amount coming out so its not rocking the water out of the tank.

I always say to hobbyists in freshwater and saltwater always have an airstone on hand you never know when you might need it for that oxygen. If a filter dies at least you can provide oxygen for the fish till you can get to the store for another filter.
leisure_man
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by leisure_man »

I have 20 WC L46 adults in my breeding groups. They are setup in multiple breeding tanks with a HOB filter and a sponge filter. I don't use any airstone even though I have plenty of them. I just don't see the point of putting one in the tank. A couple of the larger breeding tanks I would put a power head on a sponge filter to create more current close to the water surface but the sponge filter will need to be clean more often. The current is fairly strong but they don't seem to mind. Even the little fry are in there with the parents. Since these are all breeding setup, I have minimal decoration to allow for easy removal and clean up as well as inspection of the caves.

The tanks are all monitored with temperature and pH probe, so I can check on them anywhere and anytime using a smart device or pc. Water changes are automated and programmable using a pc or smart device and the storage tanks refill themselves with dosing pumps taking care of water conditioning and parameter adjustment. I am not a fan of bucket brigade and running long hose. After all, we are in a computer age why do things like a peasant in the 1800s.
richardsonkane75
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Re: Group of adult zebras - some Q's if you dont mind

Post by richardsonkane75 »

For zebras mine get fed brine shrimp with sprint ulna and bloodwormsetc .... Also a favorite is meat pie by repashy superfoods and new era tropical pellets
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