Can red tail sharks live with zebra plecos?
Verdict
Yes, with care
Yes, with care. Red tail sharks and zebra plecos can share a tank, but watch one thing. They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
What to watch
- Watch outThey only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
- Watch outBoth claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
- Watch outRed tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
What works
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Red tail shark | Zebra pleco | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–79 °F | 79–88 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 5.0 in | 3.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 55 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Bottom |
| Group | One per tank | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for red tail sharks
Better tank mates for zebra plecos
Questions
Can red tail sharks live with zebra plecos?
Yes, with care. Red tail sharks and zebra plecos can share a tank, but watch one thing. They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
What temperature suits both red tail sharks and zebra plecos?
79–79 °F. Red tail sharks need 72–79 °F, zebra plecos need 79–88 °F.
What size tank do red tail sharks and zebra plecos need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the red tail shark. Add space for each extra fish.