Tank mates for zebra plecos

We checked zebra plecos against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for zebra plecos include betta fish, dwarf gourami, angelfish, ember tetra, cardinal tetra and glowlight tetra. Avoid common goldfish, fancy goldfish and neon tetra: they need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).

Zebra plecos: 26–30°C (79–86°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 8 cm (3.1 in), minimum tank 20 gallons (76 L). Full zebra pleco care guide.

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (28)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (78)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

  • Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bristlenose plecos, which use the same area.
    • Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.
  • Cherry shrimp · 5+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Common pleco · 150+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase common plecos, which use the same area.
    • Common pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Guppy · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Nerite snail · 5+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Tiger barb · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Tiger barb nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like zebra plecos.
  • African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase African dwarf frogs, which use the same area.
  • Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Assassin snail · 5+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra plecos.
  • Cherry barb · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Clown loach · 180+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
  • Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase electric blue acaras, which use the same area.
    • Electric blue acara defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
    • Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • German blue ram · 20+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase German blue rams, which use the same area.
    • German blue ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Honey gourami · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase julii corydoras, which use the same area.
  • Kribensis · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kribensis, which use the same area.
    • Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kuhli loaches, which use the same area.
  • Malaysian trumpet snail · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Molly · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Mystery snail · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Otocinclus · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Platy · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
    • Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Ramshorn snail · 5+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase red-tail sharks, which use the same area.
    • Red-tail shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase siamese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase sterbai corydoras, which use the same area.
  • Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase yoyo loaches, which use the same area.
  • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
    • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Black ghost knifefish · 125+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase black ghost knifefish, which use the same area.
    • Black ghost knifefish may eat zebra plecos, especially young or small ones.
  • Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Bolivian rams, which use the same area.
    • Bolivian ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bumblebee catfish, which use the same area.
  • Clown killifish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Clown pleco · 20+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown plecos, which use the same area.
  • Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
    • Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
  • Congo tetra · 40+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
  • Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase emerald green corydoras, which use the same area.
  • Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Glass catfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Kissing gourami · 75+ gal
    • Kissing gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra plecos.
  • Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peacock gudgeons, which use the same area.
  • Ropefish · 75+ gal
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase ropefish, which use the same area.
  • Rosy loach · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase scarlet badis, which use the same area.
  • Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Severum · 55+ gal
    • Severum is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra plecos.
  • Swordtail · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Upside-down catfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Zebra loach · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
    • Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra loaches, which use the same area.
  • Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Flame tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Keyhole cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Least killifish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
  • Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
  • Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).

Avoid Bad tank mates (43)

  • Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
  • Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Neon tetra: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), neon tetra 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Oscar: Oscar can eat zebra plecos: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Panda corydoras: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), panda corydoras 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Zebra danio: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), zebra danio 18–25°C (64–77°F).
  • Celestial pearl danio: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), celestial pearl danio 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos.
  • Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos.
  • Denison barb: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), denison barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra plecos don't belong in that setup.
  • Hillstream loach: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F).
  • Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos.
  • Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
  • Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra plecos don't belong in that setup.
  • Peppered corydoras: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), peppered corydoras 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Pictus catfish: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), pictus catfish 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos. Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra plecos don't belong in that setup.
  • Rosy barb: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), rosy barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat zebra plecos: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
  • Buenos Aires tetra: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), buenos Aires tetra 18–25°C (64–77°F).
  • Crystal red shrimp: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), crystal red shrimp 20–24°C (68–75°F).
  • Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos. Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra plecos don't belong in that setup.
  • Dwarf orange crayfish: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), dwarf orange crayfish 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Frontosa: Frontosa can eat zebra plecos: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra plecos don't belong in that setup.
  • Gardneri killifish: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), gardneri killifish 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Giant danio: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), giant danio 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Gold barb: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), gold barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Green terror: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), green terror 20–24°C (68–75°F). Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos.
  • Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos.
  • Odessa barb: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), odessa barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Panda garra: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), panda garra 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Paradise fish: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F).
  • Rubber lip pleco: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), rubber lip pleco 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Scissortail rasbora: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), scissortail rasbora 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra plecos don't belong in that setup.
  • Turquoise rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), turquoise rainbowfish 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Checkerboard barb: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), checkerboard barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Glowlight danio: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), glowlight danio 20–24°C (68–75°F).
  • Pearl danio: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), pearl danio 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Variatus platy: They need different temperatures: Zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F), variatus platy 18–25°C (64–77°F).

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with zebra plecos?

Good tank mates for zebra plecos include betta fish, dwarf gourami, angelfish, ember tetra, cardinal tetra and glowlight tetra. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat zebra plecos.

Can zebra plecos live with angelfish?

Yes. They share similar water needs (26–29°C (79–84°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can zebra plecos live with bettas?

Yes. They share similar water needs (26–28°C (79–82°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can zebra plecos live with bristlenose plecos?

Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C). Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bristlenose plecos, which use the same area.

Can zebra plecos live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C). Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.