Bristlenose pleco tank size
One bristlenose needs a 20 gallon long or larger. A 10 gallon is under the recommended footprint.
The bristlenose is the pleco that actually fits a home aquarium: about 5 inches as an adult, against nearly 2 feet for the common pleco. Seriously Fish gives a base of 60 x 30 cm (about 24 x 12 inches). The 15 gallon and 20 gallon long meet it; a 10 gallon is close but short. Plan on one per tank, because they are territorial with their own kind, and count it as a heavy load: plecos produce a lot of waste for their size.
How many bristlenose plecos fit in each tank
Counts are for a tank with nothing else in it, from the same model as the stocking calculator.
| Tank | Length x width | Meets the footprint | Most on their own |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Gallon | 16 x 8 in | Under | – |
| 10 Gallon | 20 x 10 in | Close | 1 * |
| 15 Gallon | 24 x 12 in | Yes | 1 |
| 20 Gallon Long | 30 x 12 in | Yes | 1 |
| 20 Gallon High | 24 x 12 in | Yes | 1 |
| 29 Gallon | 30 x 12 in | Yes | 1 |
| 40 Gallon Breeder | 36 x 18 in | Yes | 1 |
| 55 Gallon | 48 x 13 in | Yes | 1 |
| 75 Gallon | 48 x 18 in | Yes | 1 |
| 125 Gallon | 72 x 18 in | Yes | 1 |
Footprint is the Seriously Fish minimum base of 24 x 12 in. “Close” is within 20%. * Fits by volume, but the footprint is under the recommendation.
The smallest tank that meets the footprint
15 Gallon: 24 x 12 x 12 inches.
Bristlenose pleco at a glance
| Adult size | about 4.9 in |
|---|---|
| Minimum base | 24 x 12 in |
| Temperature | 70 to 79°F |
| pH | 5.5 to 7.5 |
| Group | one per tank |
Tank mates
Peaceful with almost everything except other plecos and similarly shaped bottom fish. It suits any community that keeps 70 to 79°F water. Give it driftwood to graze on.
Seriously Fish: Relatively peaceful but territorial with conspecifics and similarly-shaped species.
Mixes with bristlenose plecos that pass the check
- 29 Gallon: guppies with a bristlenose pleco79% stocked
8 × Guppy, 1 × Bristlenose pleco.
- 40 Gallon Breeder: platies, mollies and a bristlenose pleco59% stocked
6 × Platy, 4 × Molly, 1 × Bristlenose pleco.
- 75 Gallon: denison barbs with a bristlenose pleco54% stocked
8 × Denison barb, 1 × Bristlenose pleco.
Common questions
What size tank does a bristlenose pleco need?
Seriously Fish gives a minimum base of 60 x 30 cm, about 24 x 12 in. The smallest standard tank that meets it is the 15 gallon.
What temperature and pH do bristlenose plecos need?
70 to 79°F and a pH of 5.5 to 7.5, by Seriously Fish.
How big do bristlenose plecos get?
About 4.9 inches (125 mm) as adults, by Seriously Fish.
Can a bristlenose pleco live in a 10 gallon tank?
It is under the 24 x 12 inch base Seriously Fish recommends. Our calculator passes one with a note in a 10 gallon, but a 20 gallon long is a better home.
Is a common pleco the same thing?
No. The common pleco grows to nearly 2 feet and needs 75 gallons to start and 180 or more as an adult, by Aquarium Co-Op. The bristlenose stays around 5 inches.
Gear for a bristlenose pleco tank
Searches on Amazon for the right size. Check the tank size or flow rating on the listing before you buy.
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Sources: Seriously Fish. Scientific name Ancistrus sp. '3'.