Common pleco compatibility
Every pairing AquariumHQ has assessed for Common pleco, derived from stored behavioural and environmental traits. Each verdict links to the reasoning behind it — including where the evidence runs out.
The species record is on the Common pleco page. Any pairing not listed here can be assessed on demand with the compatibility checker.
What decides this species' pairings
Counted across every assessment above — the dimensions that actually raise concerns for this animal, rather than the ones a care sheet would list.
| Dimension | Pairings raising it | Share |
|---|---|---|
| territory | 51 | 57% |
| zone competition | 30 | 33% |
| breeding aggression | 27 | 30% |
| temperature | 20 | 22% |
| aggression | 15 | 17% |
| ph | 14 | 16% |
Environmental compromise
Whether a shared temperature, pH and hardness band exists is a necessary condition, not evidence that it suits both animals. This counts how good the overlap actually is.
| Overlap quality | Pairings |
|---|---|
| Workable | 30 |
| Comfortable for both | 28 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 16 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 12 |
| Narrow — little margin | 4 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (3)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
Poor match (14)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
- with Angelfish2 concerns
- with Bleeding heart tetra2 concerns
- with Clown knifefish2 concerns
- with Discus3 concerns
- with Electric blue hap2 concerns
- with Electric yellow cichlid4 concerns
- with Flavescent peacock4 concerns
- with Frontosa3 concerns
- with Goldfish2 concerns
- with Peppered corydoras3 concerns
- with Red zebra cichlid3 concerns
- with Severum2 concerns
- with Siamese fighting fish4 concerns
- with White Cloud Mountain minnow1 concern
Conditional (28)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with American flagfish4 concerns
- with Blue acara3 concerns
- with Cardinal tetra1 concern
- with Chili rasbora3 concerns
- with Convict cichlid3 concerns
- with Dwarf gourami2 concerns
- with Ember tetra1 concern
- with Firehead tetra2 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid3 concerns
- with German blue ram4 concerns
- with Giant gourami3 concerns
- with Gold nugget pleco4 concerns
- with Green terror2 concerns
- with Guppy1 concern
- with Honey gourami2 concerns
- with Jack Dempsey2 concerns
- with Jewel cichlid2 concerns
- with Koi carp2 concerns
- with Kribensis3 concerns
- with Molly1 concern
- with Moonlight gourami3 concerns
- with Mystery snail2 concerns
- with Nerite snail2 concerns
- with Pearl gourami2 concerns
- with Rope fish3 concerns
- with Rummy-nose tetra1 concern
- with Sailfin molly2 concerns
- with Senegal bichir3 concerns
Generally compatible (30)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
- with Amano shrimp4 concerns
- with Black ghost knifefish3 concerns
- with Bladder snail2 concerns
- with Bloodfin tetra1 concern
- with Bolivian ram3 concerns
- with Bristlenose pleco2 concerns
- with Bronze corydoras2 concerns
- with Celestial pearl danio1 concern
- with Cherry shrimp4 concerns
- with Clown loach3 concerns
- with Doctor fish4 concerns
- with Eastern rainbowfish1 concern
- with Ghost shrimp4 concerns
- with Kissing gourami1 concern
- with Kuhli loach2 concerns
- with Oscar2 concerns
- with Otocinclus1 concern
- with Panda corydoras3 concerns
- with Pea puffer1 concern
- with Peacock gudgeon3 concerns
- with Pictus catfish2 concerns
- with Pygmy corydoras1 concern
- with Rainbow shark2 concerns
- with Red swamp crayfish3 concerns
- with Red-tailed black shark2 concerns
- with Siamese algae eater2 concerns
- with Skunk loach2 concerns
- with Upside-down catfish1 concern
- with Yoyo loach2 concerns
- with Zebra danio1 concern
Compatible (15)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- with Bala sharkno concerns
- with Black ruby barbno concerns
- with Cherry barbno concerns
- with Golden wonder killifishno concerns
- with Harlequin rasborano concerns
- with Indian glassfishno concerns
- with Neon tetrano concerns
- with Platyno concerns
- with Red-eye tetrano concerns
- with Scissortail rasborano concerns
- with Serpae tetrano concerns
- with Silver dollarno concerns
- with Swordtailno concerns
- with Tiger barbno concerns
- with Tinfoil barbno concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Generally compatible | 30 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Conditional | 28 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Compatible | 15 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Poor match | 14 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |
| Incompatible | 3 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |