Can Bristlenose Pleco Live With Black Skirt Tetra?
Bristlenose Pleco and Black Skirt Tetra are compatible. Temperature overlap 73–81°F. Both peaceful.
Conditions: Minimum 20 gallon tank.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Bristlenose Pleco | Black Skirt Tetra | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 70–82°F | 73–81°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6.5–7.5 | 6–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 ✓ |
| Temperament | peaceful | peaceful | Both peaceful ✓ |
| Max Size | 5" | 3" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 20 gal | 15 gal | 20 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore | — |
| Care Level | beginner | beginner | — |
Tank Requirements for Bristlenose Pleco + Black Skirt Tetra
To keep Bristlenose Pleco and Black Skirt Tetra together, you need at minimum a 20 gallon tank. Black Skirt Tetra should be kept in a school of 6+. 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 →Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Black skirt tetras (also sold as black widow tetras) are hardy, easy-to-care-for schooling fish with a distinctive flowing black anal fin that gives them their name. They come in natural silver-and-black and various dyed/modified versions (GloFish). The natural form is the healthiest choice. They can be mild fin nippers in small groups but are generally well-behaved community fish.
Full care guide →