Why do zebra plecos cost so much?

[Newt]

These little guys sell for about $200 a piece!

Will the price ever come down?

Is anyone breeding them, and if so then why isn't the price going down?

Is it a super hard Pleco to breed?

 

[Vitaliy]

I believe they come from Brazil, because of the popularity of the Pleco and such demand, it was put on the endangered list and all export of the fish was banned.

 

[prm]

The reason is that they are critically endandered due to pollution, overfishing etc. And to make matters worse the brasilian govt. is banning all exports for at least 3 years. And there is a proposed project of building a Dam on the Rio Xingu river which could possibly lead to the extinction of the species. Im a firm beleiver that if you have a Zebra plec you should breed him to keep the numbers up.

 

[Fried_fish]

I don't believe they are super hard to breed but it depends on the experience of each hobbyist. There are high demands for them since they are very attractive and stay small. The demand on them is much more than the supply. Alot of people who have them are trying to breed them.

These little guys sell for about $200 a piece!

Will the price ever come down?

Is anyone breeding them, and if so then why isn't the price going down?

Is it a super hard Pleco to breed?

 

[arapaimag]

These little guys sell for about $200 a piece!

Will the price ever come down?

Is anyone breeding them, and if so then why isn't the price going down?

Is it a super hard Pleco to breed?

If hobbyists are willing to pay the price it will stay high