Can Bristlenose Pleco Live With Angelfish?
Bristlenose Pleco and Angelfish are compatible. Temperature overlap 76–81°F.
Conditions: Minimum 30 gallon tank.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Bristlenose Pleco | Angelfish | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 76–84°F | 76–81°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6.5–7.5 | 6–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 ✓ |
| Temperament | peaceful | semi-aggressive | Monitor ⚠ |
| Max Size | 5" | 6" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 20 gal | 30 gal | 30 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore | — |
| Care Level | beginner | intermediate | — |
Tank Requirements for Bristlenose Pleco + Angelfish
To keep Bristlenose Pleco and Angelfish together, you need at minimum a 30 gallon tank. 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 →Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Freshwater angelfish are elegant, tall-bodied cichlids that are a centerpiece in many community aquariums. They come in many color varieties including silver, marble, koi, and black. While generally peaceful, they become territorial when breeding and will eat small fish like neon tetras.
Full care guide →