What size tank does a bristlenose pleco need?
At least 30 gallons (114 liters). The smallest standard tank that works is the 29 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable. We give the size for an adult fish, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Ancistrus sp..
How many bristlenose plecos in each tank size?
This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if bristlenose plecos are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.
| Tank | How many bristlenose plecos |
|---|---|
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | 1 |
| 40 gallon breeder | up to 2 |
| 55 gallon | up to 3 |
| 75 gallon | up to 4 |
| 125 gallon | up to 8 |
Check bristlenose plecos against your own tank and other fish
Good to know
- Needs driftwood to rasp on.
Tank mates for bristlenose plecos
These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.
- Swordtail
- Odessa barb
- Glass catfish
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Congo tetra
- Lemon tetra
- Cherry barb
- Pearl gourami
Poor matches
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.
- Oscar: Oscar is aggressive and will bully or kill peaceful fish such as bristlenose pleco.
- Molly: They need different water: Bristlenose pleco likes a pH of 6–7.8, molly likes 7.5–8.5.
Can bristlenose plecos live with...
- bettas
- guppies
- neon tetras
- fancy goldfish
- angelfish
- bronze corydoras
- mollies
- platies
- tiger barbs
- dwarf gouramis
- cherry shrimp
- oscars
- zebra danios
Questions and answers
What size tank does a bristlenose pleco need?
At least 30 gallons (114 liters). The smallest standard tank that works is the 29 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many bristlenose plecos should be kept together?
One is fine. A bristlenose pleco does not need company, though a large enough tank can hold more than one.
Can bristlenose plecos live in a 10 gallon tank?
No. Bristlenose pleco needs at least 30 gallons (114 liters), and grows to 5 in (13 cm), far too long for a 20 inch tank.
What temperature do bristlenose plecos need?
72–81 °F (22–27 °C), with a pH of 6–7.8. In most homes that means a heater.
More fish
Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.