However, currently, the Brazilian government bans the export of certain fish species, including H. zebra.

H. zebra is threatened by the Belo Monte Dam in the Xingu river which has caused a severe reduction of the water flow of the entire known distribution range of the species.

H. zebra is a predator and requires a high protein diet, typically including small invertebrates such as insect larvae.

When in captivity, the species is often fed fresh or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and algae wafers.

[citation needed] This species should not be kept in the typical community aquarium, or with discus, despite advice to the contrary.

These catfish thrive in biotopes with small dither fish which do not compete with H. zebra for food.

[4] In 2004, the zebra pleco was added to the IBAMA list of endangered species and exporting it from Brazil was made illegal.

[6] The species is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning that international trade (including in captive bred specimens) is regulated by the CITES permitting system.