Can bristlenose plecos live with jack dempseys?

Verdict
No

No. Bristlenose plecos and jack dempseys should not share a tank. Jack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose plecos.

Bristlenose plecoBristlenose pleco73–81°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Jack DempseyJack Dempsey72–86°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 73–81°Bristlenose pleco 73–81°Jack Dempsey 72–86°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bristlenose pleco 6.5–7.5Jack Dempsey 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bristlenose pleco · 5 inJack Dempsey · 10 in0"2"4"6"8"10"
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 plecoJack Dempsey
Temperature73–81 °F72–86 °F
pH6.5–7.56.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in10.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal55 gal
TemperamentPeacefulAggressive
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupAlone or in pairsAlone or in pairs
DietHerbivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for bristlenose plecos

All bristlenose pleco tank mates

Better tank mates for jack dempseys

All jack dempsey tank mates

Questions

Can bristlenose plecos live with jack dempseys?

No. Bristlenose plecos and jack dempseys should not share a tank. Jack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose plecos.

What temperature suits both bristlenose plecos and jack dempseys?

73–81 °F. Bristlenose plecos need 73–81 °F, jack dempseys need 72–86 °F.

What size tank do bristlenose plecos and jack dempseys need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.