Can bristlenose plecos live with gold barbs?

Verdict
Yes

Yes. Bristlenose plecos and gold barbs make a good pair. Both are fine at 73–75°F. Plan on at least 30 gal.

Bristlenose plecoBristlenose pleco73–81°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Gold barbGold barb64–75°F · pH 6–8

Why it works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 73–75°Bristlenose pleco 73–81°Gold barb 64–75°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bristlenose pleco 6.5–7.5Gold barb 6–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bristlenose pleco · 5 inGold barb · 3 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
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

Bristlenose plecoGold barb
Temperature73–81 °F64–75 °F
pH6.5–7.56–8
Adult size5.0 in3.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal20 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietHerbivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for bristlenose plecos

All bristlenose pleco tank mates

Better tank mates for gold barbs

All gold barb tank mates

Questions

Can bristlenose plecos live with gold barbs?

Yes. Bristlenose plecos and gold barbs make a good pair. Both are fine at 73–75°F. Plan on at least 30 gal.

What temperature suits both bristlenose plecos and gold barbs?

73–75 °F. Bristlenose plecos need 73–81 °F, gold barbs need 64–75 °F.

What size tank do bristlenose plecos and gold barbs need together?

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