Can red tail sharks live with clown plecos?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Red tail sharks and clown plecos can share a tank, but watch one thing. Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

Red tail sharkRed tail shark72–79°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Clown plecoClown pleco73–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 73–79°Red tail shark 72–79°Clown pleco 73–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Red tail shark 6.5–7.5Clown pleco 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Red tail shark · 5 inClown pleco · 3.5 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

Red tail sharkClown pleco
Temperature72–79 °F73–82 °F
pH6.5–7.56.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupOne per tankAlone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for red tail sharks

All red tail shark tank mates

Better tank mates for clown plecos

All clown pleco tank mates

Questions

Can red tail sharks live with clown plecos?

Yes, with care. Red tail sharks and clown plecos can share a tank, but watch one thing. Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

What temperature suits both red tail sharks and clown plecos?

73–79 °F. Red tail sharks need 72–79 °F, clown plecos need 73–82 °F.

What size tank do red tail sharks and clown plecos need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the red tail shark. Add space for each extra fish.