The Pet of the Year 2024 is a small freshwater fish from Brazil: with its unique pattern, the Zebra pleco is one of the most popular species of catfish. Discovered in the 1980s, this freshwater fish is now kept and bred all over the world. The Zebra pleco feels at home in the company of other fish, making him an attractive and peaceful aquarium inhabitant. The fact that it is the male fish who is responsible for brood care, adds further to its fascination.
By choosing the Zebra pleco, the ZZF wants to raise public awareness for species conservation: "This species is very much threatened with extinction in its native country, and without breeding in aquariums it could be lost forever," explained Gordon Bonnet, Managing Director ZZF.
As the advocacy of the German pet industry, the ZZF is committed to responsible and animal-friendly pet keeping. Hence, the Pet of the Year award serves a means to draw attention to species that deserve more attention, to create awareness for animal welfare aspects and to show that breeding and keeping endangered species can contribute to species conservation.
The award is based on thorough nominations by the ZZF that are voted upon by a jury of biologists, veterinarians, breeders and pet shop owners as well as animal and industry experts. For 2023, the first year of the award, the ZZF nominated the Pogona (also known as “Bearded Dragon”), which is now followed by the Zebra Pleco for 2024.
