Tank mates
Bristlenose Pleco tank mates
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
The best tank mates for the Bristlenose Pleco, matched on temperature, pH and temperament, with the reason each species fits.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Bristlenose Pleco tank mates
The Bristlenose Pleco is an easy-going community fish that settles best around 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5. Good tank mates are species happy in that same water that won't nip it or get eaten. From the catalogue that comes to 89 fish, 83 plants, 15 shrimp and 13 mosses, each listed below with why it works. Match those numbers, keep group sizes sensible, and you've got a peaceful tank.
Compatible fish
Showing 15 of 89- Black MollyPoecilia sphenopsTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Neon TetraHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Phantom TetraHyphessobrycon megalopterusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Skirt TetraGymnocorymbus ternetziTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Bloodfin TetraAphyocharax anisitsiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Bronze CorydorasCorydoras aeneusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Buenos Aires TetraHyphessobrycon anisitsiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Cherry BarbPuntius titteyaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Endler's LivebearerPoecilia wingeiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- False Julii CoryCorydoras trilineatusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Florida FlagfishJordanella floridaeTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Glowlight TetraHemigrammus erythrozonusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Gold BarbBarbodes semifasciolatusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Green SwordtailXiphophorus helleriiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- GuppyPoecilia reticulataTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
Compatible plants
Showing 12 of 83- Amazon FrogbitLimnobium laevigatumTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anacharis (Elodea)Egeria densaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias BarteriAnubias barteri var. barteriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nanaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias CoffeefoliaAnubias barteri 'Coffeefolia'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Aponogeton CrispusAponogeton crispusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Asian AmbuliaLimnophila sessilifloraTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Bacopa CarolinianaBacopa carolinianaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Bacopa MonnieriBacopa monnieriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Brazilian PennywortHydrocotyle leucocephalaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Cryptocoryne WalkeriCryptocoryne walkeriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
Compatible shrimp
Showing 12 of 15- Black Rose ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Black Rose'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Blue Dream ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Blue Dream'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Ghost / Glass ShrimpPalaemon paludosusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Green Jade ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Green Jade'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Red Cherry ShrimpNeocaridina davidiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Snowball ShrimpNeocaridina palmata var.Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Yellow NeocaridinaNeocaridina davidi 'Yellow'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Amano ShrimpCaridina multidentataTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Bamboo / Wood ShrimpAtyopsis moluccensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Bee Shrimp (wild)Caridina cantonensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Tiger ShrimpCaridina mariaeTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Vampire ShrimpAtya gabonensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
Compatible mosses
Showing 8 of 13- Java MossTaxiphyllum barbieriTemp ✓pH ✓
- Christmas MossVesicularia montagneiTemp ✓pH ✓
- Round PelliaMonosolenium tenerumTemp ✓pH ✓
- Singapore MossVesicularia dubyanaTemp ✓pH ✓
- Spiky MossTaxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky'Temp ✓pH ✓
- Stringy MossLeptodictyum ripariumTemp ✓pH ✓
- Süßwassertang / Mini PelliaLomariopsis lineataTemp ✓pH ✓
- Flame MossTaxiphyllum 'Flame'Temp ✓pH ✓
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
What can live with Bristlenose Pleco?
Peaceful species that share its water. Good picks from the catalogue include Black Molly, Black Neon Tetra and Black Phantom Tetra, plus compatible plants, shrimp and mosses. The full list with reasons is above.
How many Bristlenose Pleco should you keep together?
You can keep the Bristlenose Pleco on its own or in a small group. Around 1 is a sensible starting point where the species does well together.
Are Bristlenose Pleco shrimp-safe?
Yes. The Bristlenose Pleco is safe with dwarf shrimp, including babies, so it works in a shrimp tank.
Do Bristlenose Pleco eat plants?
No. The Bristlenose Pleco is plant-safe, so it won't tear up a planted tank. That's why so many plants show up in the list above.