What practice is critical for responsible aquarists to prioritize regarding *Hypancistrus zebra* sourcing today?
Answer
Prioritizing captive-bred specimens
Because the wild population of *Hypancistrus zebra* is so confined and thus highly vulnerable, responsible practices in the aquarium hobby focus on reducing any further pressure on the natural stocks. The existence of these fish in the hobby is now heavily reliant on successful captive breeding programs. By prioritizing the sourcing of specimens raised in aquariums, hobbyists help maintain genetic diversity within the captive population while simultaneously lessening the demand and impact on the fragile, confined natural range in Brazil.
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