Hi from South Africa

Rowland · Post by **Rowland** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:03 pm

I became addicted to catfish while looking for discus tankmates. Unfortunately we in South Africa have never seen the L 046. If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate them

Rowland

khblock · Post by **khblock** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:20 pm

Welcome Rowland.

I too became interested in catfish when researching for discus tank mates. The first time I laid eyes on a zebra I knew I had to have one (two, three or six). They are special and now I am more in love with the L046 than my discus. I still keep discus my they are no longer my favorites. I'm such a bad Mum.

Funny thing, I found tank mates for my discus but will not consider putting in anything with my zebras.

I'm sorry to hear you can't find them. My heart goes out to you.

What's the deal, are then not allowed in South Africa?

Frontyking · Post by **Frontyking** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:27 am

Hi Rowland and welcome to the forum.

Nick.

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:24 am

Hi Rowland,

Welcome to the forums.

We have at least one other member from SA here, or Jo'burg to be more specific. I know he was having trouble finding some in SA too...and when he did the currency conversion to have them shipped over it worked out to a months salary for him or something similar.

Hopfully you'll have better luck.

Still, as I said to him, if things keep going the way they are going then in a few years I'll be moving out there...and I'll definitely be bringing my zebs with me and hopefully I'll have some for sale by then.

Plastic Mac

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:28 am

Hi Rowland, Good to see you on board.

It definately won't be easy for you to find some in SA, but I am confident that if there are some, they will eventually turn up here. So keep your eyes open and good luck!

Rob

Rowland · Post by **Rowland** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 1:50 pm

Hi Guys

Thanks for the very warm welcome and sympathy shown. I have spoken to a few of the guys here who say they see them on their lists from time to time, but with the currency conversion dollar to our rand, it apparently works out too expensive for them to bring in. If I may ask how Zebra prices compare with discus prices where you guys are.

Cheers
Rowland

thebuddy · Post by **thebuddy** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 2:50 pm

by here we should hope he means this forum and not scotland were he can buy em

discuc were i live are normaly 40-80 dollars (US)
ive been informed that they could get me zebra plecs for 75-100 dollars (US)

im not sure if they can realy get me plecs though so im not sure how valid this info is

Zeebz · Post by **Zeebz** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 4:08 am

Hi Rowland!
I'm new here too. Just thought I would chime in about the pricing. Discus here are $35.00 - $80.00 (USD), where the Zebra Plecos have jumped from $100.00 to $200.00 or more in the past year.
Best of luck in your search for Zebras.
Donna

Rowland · Post by **Rowland** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 9:00 am

While I'm absolutely wowed by all I see and read here, I can't but wonder if these prices of tank bred fish are not squeezing the wild caught population even further. When people desperately want a fish like this beauty, do they not just look at the cheapest option to get it into their tanks?? While I agree with all you guys are doing to protect the species, and would also never ever look at getting black market fish under ban here, I can't but wonder if it would not be for the good of the species to lower tank bred prices. I am in no way trying to belittle the efforts of those who have toiled long and hard to breed the species....no... Someday I too would like to boast such a feat. Am just wondering about the future of the L 46...