Plecostomus
Plecostomus is a peaceful freshwater fish that needs a tank of at least 30 gallons (114 L), water at 72-82°F (22-28°C) and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Full care guide for Plecostomus
Also searched as: pleco, plecostomus, common pleco, bristlenose pleco
Quick facts
Common plecos grow to 18"+. Bristlenose stays smaller (5"). Algae eaters that need driftwood.
| Minimum tank | 30 gallons (114 L) |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 72-82°F (22-28°C) |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swim level | Bottom |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Tank type | Freshwater |
Good tank mates
Ranked by water overlap and temperament, using the same checks as the MyAquaLog compatibility tool.
- Siamese Algae Eatermin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 75-79°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Bristlenose Plecomin tank 25 gal
Temperature overlap 73-81°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Corydoras Catfishmin tank 10 gal
Temperature overlap 72-78°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Harlequin Rasboramin tank 10 gal
Temperature overlap 72-80°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Otocinclusmin tank 10 gal
Temperature overlap 72-79°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Australian Rainbowfishmin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 72-79°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Banded Gouramimin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 72-82°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Congo Tetramin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 73-82°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species are peaceful.
Avoid with
Pairings that fail the temperament, water-overlap or known-conflict checks.
- African Cichlids (Mbuna)min tank 55 gal
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish; no pH overlap (6.5-7.5 vs 7.8-8.6).
- Tropheusmin tank 75 gal
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish; no pH overlap (6.5-7.5 vs 8-9).
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish.
Oscar Fishmin tank 55 galChinese Algae Eatermin tank 30 galConvict Cichlidmin tank 30 gal
Plecostomus pairing checks
One-to-one checks against other popular species, with the reasons for each verdict.
- Amano Shrimp yes
- Angelfish with caution
- Betta Fish with caution
- Bristlenose Pleco yes
- Cardinal Tetra with caution
- Cherry Shrimp yes
- Corydoras Catfish yes
- Discus no
- Dwarf Gourami with caution
- Goldfish no
- Guppy yes
- Harlequin Rasbora yes
- Kuhli Loach yes
- Molly Fish yes
- Mystery Snail with caution
- Neon Tetra yes
- Nerite Snail yes
- Oscar Fish no
- Otocinclus yes
- Platy yes
- Rummy Nose Tetra yes
- Siamese Algae Eater yes
Check your own tank
These lists compare one species against the rest of the database. Your stock list, tank size and bioload change the answer, so log your own tank.
Start a tank logStocking guide
No account needed, it saves on this device.