Can axolotls live with zebra plecos?

Verdict

No. Axolotls and zebra plecos should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra plecos need 79–88°F. No temperature suits both.

Axolotl60–66°F · pH 6.5–8

Zebra pleco79–88°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerAxolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra plecos need 79–88°F. No temperature suits both.
Deal breakerFish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.

What works

pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.

Water side by side

The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Axolotl	Zebra pleco
Temperature	60–66 °F	79–88 °F
pH	6.5–8	6–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	3.5 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Carnivore	Carnivore

Better tank mates for zebra plecos

All zebra pleco tank mates

Questions

Can axolotls live with zebra plecos?

No. Axolotls and zebra plecos should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra plecos need 79–88°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both axolotls and zebra plecos?

None. Axolotls need 60–66 °F and zebra plecos need 79–88 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do axolotls and zebra plecos need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the zebra pleco. Add space for each extra fish.