Can bichirs live with zebra plecos?

Verdict
No

No. Bichirs and zebra plecos should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.

BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Zebra plecoZebra pleco79–88°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 79–82°Bichir 72–82°Zebra pleco 79–88°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bichir 6.5–7.5Zebra pleco 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bichir · 12 inZebra pleco · 3.5 in0"2"4"6"8"10"12"
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

BichirZebra pleco
Temperature72–82 °F79–88 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size12.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank75 gal30 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsAlone or in pairs
DietCarnivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for bichirs

All bichir tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra plecos

All zebra pleco tank mates

Questions

Can bichirs live with zebra plecos?

No. Bichirs and zebra plecos should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.

What temperature suits both bichirs and zebra plecos?

79–82 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, zebra plecos need 79–88 °F.

What size tank do bichirs and zebra plecos need together?

At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.