Rubber lip pleco care guide
Also called: Rubberlip pleco, Rubber lipped pleco, Rubber nose pleco, Bulldog pleco, Spotted bulldog pleco
The rubber lip pleco is a stocky, spotted algae grazer from fast mountain streams that grows to about 5 inches (13–14 cm). It needs cooler, oxygen-rich water with strong flow and smooth rocks, so it's best in a long, well-filtered tank of 29 gallons (110 L) or more.
Rubber lip plecos need a tank of at least 29 gallons (110 L), and water at 21–25°C (70–77°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 14 cm (5.5 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with rubber lip plecosSee all tank mates
Rubber lip pleco quick facts
| Scientific name | Chaetostoma milesi |
|---|---|
| Family | Loricariidae |
| Origin | Fast foothill streams of Colombia and Venezuela (Magdalena and Orinoco drainages) |
| Adult size | 14 cm (5.5 in) |
| Minimum tank | 29 gallons (110 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 21–25°C (70–77°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 6–20 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Peaceful; fights its own kind |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Herbivore (mostly plants and algae) |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 8–12 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Yes, shrimp-safe |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
Tank setup
Plan on at least 29 gallons (110 L) of water in a long tank, about 4 ft (120 cm) from end to end, because it needs floor space to graze and claim a territory. Use smooth rocks and pebbles, some driftwood and a few caves. A strong filter plus a powerhead or spray bar recreates the fast, oxygen-rich flow it comes from.
How many rubber lip plecos in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits rubber lip plecos is a 55 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Rubber lip plecos (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Up to 7 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 10 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 17 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Keep only one per tank.
What you need for rubber lip plecos
Sized for a 29 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits rubber lip plecos. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 29 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 29 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 242 lb (110 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 75 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 73 °F (23 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 115–175 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 45 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 30 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for rubber lip plecos
- Algae wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Sinking food for plecos, otocinclus and other grazers. How to choose
- Aquarium driftwood (opens Amazon in a new tab)Plecos graze on it, and it softens water slightly.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Keep it on the cool side for a tropical fish: 21–25°C (70–77°F), pH 6.5–7.5 and moderately hard water. Warm, still or poorly oxygenated water stresses it quickly. Change 30–50% of the water weekly.
Best tank mates for rubber lip plecos
These popular species share rubber lip plecos' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 67 good matches.
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Tiger barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Avoid keeping rubber lip plecos with
- Boesemani rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Rubber lip pleco 21–25°C (70–77°F), boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F).
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rubber lip plecos.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rubber lip plecos.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Rubber lip pleco 21–25°C (70–77°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
- German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Rubber lip pleco 21–25°C (70–77°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F).
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rubber lip plecos.
Feeding
Mainly grazes algae and biofilm off rocks, wood and glass. Add sinking algae wafers and blanched vegetables like zucchini, cucumber, peas and spinach, plus small frozen foods like bloodworms or daphnia now and then. Wild-caught fish often arrive thin, so feed new arrivals generously.
Behavior
Peaceful toward mid-water and top-water fish, but territorial toward its own kind, similar plecos and sometimes other bottom fish. Keep one per tank unless the tank is large, with many caves and rock piles to break up sight lines. Good tankmates are active fish that like cooler, moving water, such as danios, barbs and hardy tetras.
Breeding
Rarely bred in aquariums. Reported spawnings happened in mature, established tanks, with eggs stuck to the roof of a cave and guarded by the male. Males grow larger, with broader heads and lips and longer pelvic fins.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Skip it for warm tanks such as discus or ram setups. It does best below 25°C (77°F).
- Add a powerhead or extra air stone. Strong flow and high oxygen keep it healthy.
- Choose fish with full bellies. Wild imports are often thin and need feeding up.
- Leave some algae on rocks and the back glass as a natural food source.
- Several Chaetostoma species are sold under this name, and all need the same cool, fast water.
Frequently asked questions
Do rubber lip plecos eat algae?
Yes. They graze soft algae and biofilm from rocks, glass and wood. They still need algae wafers and vegetables, especially in clean tanks.
How big does a rubber lip pleco get?
Most reach about 5–5.5 inches (13–14 cm) in aquariums, and a few grow a little larger. They are stocky, so they produce more waste than their length suggests.
Can you keep two rubber lip plecos together?
Usually not in a normal-sized tank, because they are territorial with their own kind. Two or more only work in a large tank with many caves and rock piles.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.