Can hillstream loaches live with plecos?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Hillstream loaches and plecos can share a tank, but watch one thing. Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for hillstream loaches.

Hillstream loach68–75°F · pH 6.5–7.5

Common pleco72–86°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

Watch outPlecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for hillstream loaches.

What works

Both are fine at 72–75°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

	Hillstream loach	Common pleco
Temperature	68–75 °F	72–86 °F
pH	6.5–7.5	6.5–7.5
Adult size	2.5 in	15.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	125 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Bottom
Group	Groups of 3+	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Herbivore	Herbivore

Better tank mates for hillstream loaches

All hillstream loach tank mates

Better tank mates for plecos

All common pleco tank mates

Questions

Can hillstream loaches live with plecos?

Yes, with care. Hillstream loaches and plecos can share a tank, but watch one thing. Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for hillstream loaches.

What temperature suits both hillstream loaches and plecos?

72–75 °F. Hillstream loaches need 68–75 °F, plecos need 72–86 °F.

What size tank do hillstream loaches and plecos need together?

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