Just an update... I'm still uncertain about the fish's sex, but I do have it eating. It's fairly reclusive compared to the common Ancistrus I used to have, but I've found this fish is willing to go wherever I put some blanched zucchini or broccoli and it will spend ~90% of it's time on the vegetable...

I bought this fish from a LFS that labeled it as L129, "Colombian Chocolate Zebra Pleco". Of course, none of these young fish had even a hint of "chocolate," though as I understand it L129s don't always have much of that yellow/brown color. This LFS has a pretty good track record...

I like Corydoras habrosus for that tank as well, 6-10 of them. As others have said, otos don't take up too much space or bioload. Oil cats would do fine in there as well, though I think Corys + otos + oil cats + ancistrus + tetras would really be pushing it so you'll have to make some decisions on w...

Sounds to me like would be a good candidate. Native to Borneo and Sumatra, loves blackwater, wouldn't hurt a fly. I have some and really enjoy them. Kept singly I expect you could breed them.

Looking for some of these little guys, preferably between 5-8 of them. LFS employee maimed 3 of the 4 I purchased so badly while netting them that only 1 is left. 1 didn't even make it out of the store. The loner is quite shy now. LFS is out of stock.

My common Ancistrus seems to love broccoli above all else. The part of the broccoli is not so important. She will never fail to eat all of the skin off the stem portions, but will devour beyond that as well. I see her eating the buds as well, though my Corydoras seem to take that as a first choice. ...