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 | 36 | 55% |
| zone competition | 22 | 34% |
| temperature | 16 | 25% |
| breeding aggression | 15 | 23% |
| aggression | 12 | 18% |
| ph | 8 | 12% |
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 | 23 |
| Comfortable for both | 23 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 9 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 9 |
| Narrow — little margin | 1 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Poor match (9)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
Conditional (21)
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 Firemouth cichlid3 concerns
- with German blue ram4 concerns
- with Guppy1 concern
- with Honey gourami2 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 (24)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
- with Amano shrimp4 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 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 Red swamp crayfish3 concerns
- with Siamese algae eater2 concerns
- with Upside-down catfish1 concern
- with Yoyo loach2 concerns
- with Zebra danio1 concern
Compatible (11)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- 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 Scissortail rasborano concerns
- with Serpae tetrano concerns
- with Swordtailno concerns
- with Tiger barbno concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Generally compatible | 24 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Conditional | 21 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Compatible | 11 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Poor match | 9 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |