Bristlenose pleco Tank Mates

Short answer: the best bristlenose pleco tank mates are Cherry shrimp, Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. Plecos need 70–79 °F (21–26 °C), pH 5.5–7.5 and at least 20 gallons.

Ancistrus cirrhosus · rated against 71 species · check your own combination

Bristlenose pleco care at a glance

Adult size	5.1 in (13 cm)
Minimum tank	20 US gallons
Temperature	70–79 °F (21–26 °C)
pH	5.5–7.5
Temperament	Peaceful
Swims in	Bottom
Group size	Can be kept singly or in pairs
Care level	Easy

Sources: Seriously Fish · FishBase · Fishkeeping World. Review note: FKW 23-27 C overlaps SF 21-26 C by 3 C. Last reviewed 2026-11-04.

Only show tank mates that fit my gallon tank

✅ Compatible tank mates (53)

Cherry shrimp (min 5 gal)
Betta fish (min 10 gal)
Dwarf gourami (min 10 gal)
Guppy (min 10 gal)
Harlequin rasbora (min 20 gal)
Molly (min 20 gal)
Neon tetra (min 20 gal)
Platy (min 20 gal)
Tiger barb (min 30 gal)
Angelfish (min 55 gal)
Nerite snail (min 5 gal)
Amano shrimp (min 10 gal)
Celestial pearl danio (min 10 gal)
Chili rasbora (min 10 gal)
Ember tetra (min 10 gal)
Endler's livebearer (min 10 gal)
Mystery snail (min 10 gal)
Otocinclus (min 10 gal)
Panda cory (min 10 gal)
Black skirt tetra (min 20 gal)
Bronze cory (min 20 gal)
Cardinal tetra (min 20 gal)
Cherry barb (min 20 gal)
Glowlight tetra (min 20 gal)
Honey gourami (min 20 gal)
Kuhli loach (min 20 gal)
Rummy nose tetra (min 20 gal)
Serpae tetra (min 20 gal)
Zebra danio (min 20 gal)
Pearl gourami (min 30 gal)
Swordtail (min 30 gal)
Three spot gourami (min 35 gal)
Siamese algae eater (min 75 gal)
Common pleco (min 125 gal)
Clown loach (min 180 gal)
Pygmy cory (min 10 gal)
Sparkling gourami (min 10 gal)
Black neon tetra (min 20 gal)
Bloodfin tetra (min 20 gal)
Dwarf neon rainbowfish (min 20 gal)
Forktail blue-eye (min 20 gal)
Glass catfish (min 20 gal)
Lemon tetra (min 20 gal)
Peppered cory (min 20 gal)
Sterbai cory (min 20 gal)
X-ray tetra (min 20 gal)
Buenos Aires tetra (min 30 gal)
Congo tetra (min 30 gal)
Gold barb (min 30 gal)
Odessa barb (min 30 gal)
Rosy barb (min 30 gal)
Upside-down catfish (min 30 gal)
Bolivian ram (min 55 gal)

⚠️ Possible with caution (9)

Fancy goldfish (min 20 gal) — Goldfish are coldwater fish that produce a lot of waste; they are usually kept only with other goldfish.
Kribensis (min 30 gal) — Kribensis defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase bristlenose pleco.
Electric yellow cichlid (min 55 gal) — pH preferences don't overlap (Bristlenose pleco 5.5–7.5, Electric yellow cichlid 7.7–8.6). Captive-bred fish often adapt, but one of them will be outside its comfort zone.
Rainbow shark (min 75 gal) — Rainbow shark defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase bristlenose pleco.
Red tail shark (min 75 gal) — Red tail shark defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase bristlenose pleco.
Cockatoo dwarf cichlid (min 20 gal) — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase bristlenose pleco.
Firemouth cichlid (min 40 gal) — Firemouth cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase bristlenose pleco.
Chinese algae eater (min 75 gal) — Chinese algae eater is a much larger territorial fish and may bully bristlenose pleco.
Bala shark (min 250 gal) — An adult bala shark (up to 35 cm) may try to eat smaller bristlenose pleco (13 cm), especially at night.

❌ Not recommended (9)

Oscar (min 180 gal) — An adult oscar (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat bristlenose pleco (13 cm).
Pea puffer (min 5 gal) — Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose pleco.
German blue ram (min 20 gal) — No comfortable shared temperature: Bristlenose pleco 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) vs German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F).
White cloud mountain minnow (min 20 gal) — Coldwater and tropical fish don't mix: Bristlenose pleco 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) vs White cloud mountain minnow 14–22 °C (57–72 °F).
Discus (min 75 gal) — No comfortable shared temperature: Bristlenose pleco 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) vs Discus 26–30 °C (79–86 °F).
Paradise fish (min 20 gal) — Paradise fish is aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose pleco.
Convict cichlid (min 30 gal) — Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose pleco.
Boesemani rainbowfish (min 55 gal) — No comfortable shared temperature: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Bristlenose pleco 21–26 °C (70–79 °F).
Jack Dempsey (min 75 gal) — Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose pleco.

How many plecos per tank?

20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.

FAQ

What fish can live with plecos?

Good matches include Cherry shrimp, Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. They share a temperature range with plecos (70–79 °F (21–26 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.

What fish should not live with plecos?

Avoid Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram, White cloud mountain minnow, Discus, Paradise fish.

What size tank do plecos need?

We recommend at least 20 US gallons for one bristlenose pleco, more if you add tank mates.

Can plecos live alone?

Yes. Plecos do not need a group, though they can be kept with compatible tank mates.

Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.