Can goldfish live with bristlenose plecos?

Verdict

No. Goldfish and bristlenose plecos should not share a tank. Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

Goldfish60–74°F · pH 7–8

Bristlenose pleco73–81°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerGoldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

What works

pH 7–7.5 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

	Goldfish	Bristlenose pleco
Temperature	60–74 °F	73–81 °F
pH	7–8	6.5–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	5.0 in
Minimum tank	40 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	All levels	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Omnivore	Herbivore

Better tank mates for goldfish

All goldfish tank mates

Better tank mates for bristlenose plecos

All bristlenose pleco tank mates

Questions

Can goldfish live with bristlenose plecos?

No. Goldfish and bristlenose plecos should not share a tank. Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

What temperature suits both goldfish and bristlenose plecos?

73–74 °F. Goldfish need 60–74 °F, bristlenose plecos need 73–81 °F.

What size tank do goldfish and bristlenose plecos need together?

At least 40 gal, set by the goldfish. Add space for each extra fish.