Bristlenose pleco tank mates

Good matches

73 of 98

The safest picks for bristlenose plecos are bettas, angelfish and guppies. Each match shares bristlenose plecos' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

The pleco that stays small. Needs driftwood and vegetables.

Temperature: 73–81°F
pH: 6.5–7.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 30 gal
With care: 12
Avoid: 13

How each group of fish does with bristlenose plecos. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive, though bristlenose plecos are big enough to shrug most of it off.
Bala shark Bala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for bristlenose plecos.
Rainbow shark Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Tinfoil barb Tinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for bristlenose plecos.
Red tail shark Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for bristlenose plecos.
Koi A grown koi may treat small bristlenose plecos as food, especially at night.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast bristlenose plecos will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: bristlenose plecos want pH 6.5–7.5, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Peacock cichlid Different water: bristlenose plecos want pH 6.5–7.5, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.
German blue ram They only share 80–81°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.
Jack Dempsey Jack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose plecos.
Goldfish 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.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose plecos.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose plecos.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.
Flowerhorn An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the bristlenose pleco care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for bristlenose plecos?

Bettas, Angelfish, Guppies, Tiger barbs, Blue gouramis. They share bristlenose plecos' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with bristlenose plecos?

Axolotls, Oscars, Jack dempseys, Goldfish, Convict cichlids. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); bristlenose plecos need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.