Can Bristlenose Pleco Live With Ember Tetra?
Bristlenose Pleco and Ember Tetra are compatible. Temperature overlap 73–81°F. Both peaceful.
Conditions: Minimum 20 gallon tank.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Bristlenose Pleco | Ember Tetra | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 73–84°F | 73–81°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6.5–7.5 | 5.5–7 | 6.5–7 ✓ |
| Temperament | peaceful | peaceful | Both peaceful ✓ |
| Max Size | 5" | 0.8" | Size mismatch ✗ |
| Min Tank Size | 20 gal | 10 gal | 20 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore | — |
| Care Level | beginner | beginner | — |
Tank Requirements for Bristlenose Pleco + Ember Tetra
To keep Bristlenose Pleco and Ember Tetra together, you need at minimum a 20 gallon tank. Ember Tetra should be kept in a school of 8+. 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 →Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Ember tetras are tiny, fiery-orange schooling fish that add a warm glow to planted tanks. At under 1 inch, they are perfect for nano tanks and make excellent companions for shrimp.
Full care guide →