Species › Catfish and plecos

Common pleco tank mates and minimum tank size

Pterygoplichthys pardalis

Common plecos grow to 58 cm (23 in). They need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F) and pH 7.0–7.5.

Minimum tank

284 L (75 US gal)

Adult size

58 cm (23 in)

Temperature

23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F)

pH

pH 7.0–7.5

Group

no minimum

Common pleco minimum tank size

Common plecos need at least 284 L (75 US gal).

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 58 cm (23 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (231 cm (91 in)).

Common pleco tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against common plecos by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (26)

• Angelfish
• Black neon tetra
• Bronze corydoras
• Celestial pearl danio
• Cherry barb
• Congo tetra
• Dwarf gourami
• Endler's livebearer
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Lemon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Oscar
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Platy
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach

With care (14)

• BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as common plecos, many do not.
• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Bristlenose plecoBristlenose plecos fight plecos, and common plecos are one of them.
• Cherry shrimpCommon plecos leave adult cherry shrimp alone but may eat their young.
• Chili rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Clown loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26–26.7 °C (79–80 °F), set by discus and common plecos. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and ember tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Glass catfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• MollyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.5, set by mollies and common plecos. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.5, set by mystery snails and common plecos. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Zebra danioThe only temperature that suits both is 23.3–24 °C (74–75 °F), set by common plecos and zebra danios. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (12)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); common plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Cardinal tetraCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so common plecos would be harassed.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); common plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F). No temperature suits both. Common plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• GoldfishCommon plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Kuhli loachCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Paradise fishCommon plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasCommon plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Rosy barbCommon plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rummy-nose tetraCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowCommon plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Aqueon care guides, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank