Can plecos live with firemouth cichlids?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Plecos and firemouth cichlids can share a tank, but watch one thing. Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.

Common pleco72–86°F · pH 6.5–7.5

Firemouth cichlid75–86°F · pH 6.5–8

What to watch

Watch outBoth claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
Watch outPlecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for firemouth cichlids.

What works

Both are fine at 75–86°F.
pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

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

	Common pleco	Firemouth cichlid
Temperature	72–86 °F	75–86 °F
pH	6.5–7.5	6.5–8
Adult size	15.0 in	6.0 in
Minimum tank	125 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	Bottom	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for plecos

All common pleco tank mates

Better tank mates for firemouth cichlids

All firemouth cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can plecos live with firemouth cichlids?

Yes, with care. Plecos and firemouth cichlids can share a tank, but watch one thing. Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.

What temperature suits both plecos and firemouth cichlids?

75–86 °F. Plecos need 72–86 °F, firemouth cichlids need 75–86 °F.

What size tank do plecos and firemouth cichlids need together?

At least 125 gal, set by the common pleco. Add space for each extra fish.