Zebra Pleco may be moved from CITES Appendix 3 to Appendix 1

[AquaHobbyist123]

 Brazil has requested for the Zebra Pleco to be moved from CITES appendix 3 to appendix 1. According to the CITES website, this would ban international trade of this species for commercial purposes.  They are currently discussing it in meetings.

Out of curiosity, is there anyone here that keeps this species?

[nabokovfan87]

Definitely interesting. 

[AquaHobbyist123]

On 11/20/2022 at 1:22 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

Definitely interesting. 

I agree, I will be keeping an eye on this for developments. Definitely want to keep Hypancistrus zebra someday myself.

[nabokovfan87]

I am pretty certain there is enough out there elsewhere. It's a popular species.  Just expect the price to go up...  😞

[AquaHobbyist123]

Yeah, I expect the price will go up significantly. In some countries with strict import laws, such as Australia, banning international trade would jack the price up a ton. In my opinion, this would just make illegally exporting zebra plecos even more profitable and hurt the populations.

That is, if it is moved to Appendix 1.

[AquaHobbyist123]

Looks like Brazil's proposition has been rejected. Zebra Pleco stays in Appendix 3.