Can Bristlenose Pleco Live With Amano Shrimp?
Bristlenose Pleco and Amano Shrimp are compatible. Temperature overlap 73–80°F. Both peaceful.
Conditions: Minimum 20 gallon tank.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Bristlenose Pleco | Amano Shrimp | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 70–80°F | 73–80°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6.5–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 ✓ |
| Temperament | peaceful | peaceful | Both peaceful ✓ |
| Max Size | 5" | 2" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 20 gal | 10 gal | 20 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore/Detritivore | — |
| Care Level | beginner | beginner | — |
Tank Requirements for Bristlenose Pleco + Amano Shrimp
To keep Bristlenose Pleco and Amano Shrimp together, you need at minimum a 20 gallon tank. Amano Shrimp should be kept in a school of 5+. Provide adequate filtration, stable temperature with a heater, and hiding spots to reduce stress.
Species Profiles
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus spp.
The Bristlenose Pleco is the most popular pleco species for home aquariums, and for good reason — they stay small (4–5 inches vs 12–24 inches for common plecos), are excellent algae eaters, and are hardy and easy to care for. Males develop distinctive bristle-like growths on their nose, which is how they get their name.
Full care guide →Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Amano shrimp, named after legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano, are the best algae-eating shrimp available. They are larger than cherry shrimp and voraciously consume hair algae, soft green algae, and leftover food. They do not breed in freshwater.
Full care guide →