Bristlenose pleco
Bristlenose pleco grows to about 12 cm and needs a tank of at least 24 UK gal. Here's how to keep it healthy and what it lives well with.
Quick facts
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Group
- Catfish & loaches
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 UK gal
- Min swim length
- 75 cm
- Group size
- Fine on its own
Water parameters
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 5–20 dGH
Tank & care
Bristlenose pleco doesn't need a group and can be kept singly; choose tankmates to suit its temperament.
Give it at least 75 cm of swimming length and hold the water around 22–28 °C. Match any new species to these ranges before adding them.
Plan a tank with this fish
Use the stocking calculator to see how many Bristlenose pleco your tank can hold and whether your planned tankmates are compatible — it's anchored to your net water volume and footprint.
Figures are conservative hobby-consensus estimates for planning. Individual fish vary — always research a species and watch how yours behave.
Related guides and tools
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