The only thing I can find online is a forum posting by someone saying that their BN was attacking their betta. (Even pet stores do this.) While, some species of loricariid range as far north as Panama. One of the most important things you can do is not confuse rubberlip plecos with rubber plecos. This is one drawback of keeping bristlenoses with your betta fish. ), Fluval 406 Canister Filter Review (Why You NEED This Filter), Fluval Flex 9 Gallon (34L) Review (Why It’s The Best), The 4 Best 10 Gallon Fish Tanks For Bettas, Marineland Contour Vs Portrait Aquarium (NEW REVIEWS! I’ve had a male Betta together with a small Pleco in the tank as the only inhabitants. I personally prefer sand substrate for any bottom-feeding fish, but pitbull plecos actually burrow into sand when they’re scared. Typically they can live up to 12 years. I know water quality for mollies is said to be brackish. A zebra pleco likes a temperature between 79-86°F, bettas ideally like 78°F, however, as long as the range is between 76-80°F they will be happy. This is a bettas ideal temperature and pH. The pleco is about 3 inches long, he is the biggest fish in the tank. Contrary to popular belief, they can’t just survive off algae alone. Because of their shy and docile nature, it’s important that they have lots of places to hide. A clown pleco typically lives for 4-6 years, which is also generally the amount of time a healthy betta can live for. While this species is, like the previous two mentioned, too big for the average betta aquarium, it is a bit smaller than P. nigrolineatus. If you can’t do this make sure you’re using an air bubbler to oxygenate the water. Famous poopers that is! As the name suggests, it also has a distinctive looking mouth⁠—it is large and looks sorta rubbery. It can take up to 6 months for a tank to mature and produce biofilm, so you should always supplement your pleco’s diet with commercial foods and treats : Another user suggested that the pleco might not be getting enough to eat. Ideally, you’re going to want fish that aren’t aggressive but also stay out of your bettas way. Can Bristlenose Plecos Live with Betta Fish? Pitbull plecos like a temperature between 68-78°F. Here is a list of some easy plecos to keep. What that means is that bristlenose plecos can sometimes squabble among themselves, but that is usually only between males. For instance, you can put multiple caves inside the tank, where your fish can hide and rest during the day. Putting tank size aside, there are some other considerations before purchasing multiple bristlenose plecos. However, that is a misnomer because they don’t just eat algae, they eat “biofilm” which includes lots of other matter and organisms that accumulate on aquatic surfaces. This is one of the smaller plecos on the list and it’s only going to grow about 3″ in size which makes it great for a betta tank or small community tank. It is totally docile when it comes to heterospecifics (i.e. Just imagine, you can pair up your elegant long-finned male betta with a similarly long-finned bristlenose pleco—what an aesthetic! If a fish is brightly colored or has long flowing fins then your betta will attack. A temperature between 71-78°F is ideal for rubberlip plecos. a comman pleco can grow to 18 inches, so can a leopard pleco, a royal pleco and some others. Can a fish be selfish? Consider our guide for raising bristlenose plecos and get started today. So this is going to be one less thing to worry about with plecos. So, if you plump for a pleco, make sure you have a gravel vac you enjoy using, because you will be using it more often! Just make sure that the tank is well planted with plenty of spaces for them to hide in. The name Ancistrus is from Latin, and stands for “hook”, alluding to the pleco’s dermal teeth also known as odontodes, found on its cheeks. Just like bristlenose plecos, clown plecos are also hardy fish, and once they’re settled into the tank they can generally be left alone for the most part. Bristlenose catfish have 'armoured skin' so they are protected from most things. While they could live together just fine, 10 gal is too small for any species of pleco. Also, while males will fuss with each other, because of their sucker mouths and rigid bodies, they generally won’t be able to do any harm to each other. This is our rubber lip pleco who also will only get to be about four inches long. They’re often called “algae eaters” because of this sucker mouth. Bear in mind though, when we say a pleco species is a bad companion for a betta, we’re mainly operating on the assumption than your betta is in a small-ish aquarium, i.e. Because when it comes to eating food off the substrate, they can rarely compete with other tank mates that are faster than them or more aggressive. Don’t confuse rubberlip plecos with rubbernose plecos because they’re two different fish, however, their needs are fairly similar! By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. But when they are active they are like algae eating machines. So, let’s think about some of the alternatives to bristlenose plecos. One of the first things you’ll notice about plecos is how peaceful they are. Best of all, you do not need to worry about the size and color of other fish while choosing their mates in the aquarium. As everybody else is explaining that they aren't capable of living in a 10 gallon. Don’t let the name intimidate you, just like the vast majority of plecos, bulldog plecos are also docile and peaceful. different species of fish). They are also one of the more expensive plecos on the list, because of their fantastic coloring. The vast majority of them are extremely docile and will keep themselves to themselves when possible. I point this out because some of the more exotic and less common pleco species aren’t as well understood. Vegetables like zucchinis, spinach, cucumber, and peas are all great choices. They’re just kinda awkward in the way they move.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'coolfish_network-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',112,'0','0'])); In addition to armor, another key feature of a pleco is its sucker mouth. Where zebra plecos really shine is their small size. These fish get along best with fish that occupy a different water level from them including betta. Bristlenose plecos are some of the easiest aquarium fish to breed. Corydoras catfish are a great algae eater to add to your tank, especially with a betta. contact At first they seemed to get along just fine, almost ignoring each other. However, here are some of the most commonly used aquarium plecos. I have driftwood and live plants too. Bristlenoses (sometimes known as bushynose plecos) will eat algae. The name was slapped onto different members of the loricariid family as they were discovered and introduced to the hobby. Answer Save. Bristlenose plecos also need a pH and temperature that is similar to bettas. But, most importantly to betta owners, a bristlenose pleco will never, ever hassle your betta fish. Lv 5. It’s also that they have been selectively bred for a long time. Favourite answer. In your aquarium, you’re going to want an abundance of plants, rocks, driftwood, and places they can hide. However, it is difficult to tell juvenile male and female bristlenose plecos apart. If you’ve ever observed goldfish in an aquarium, you’ll notice that they are happy to swim up to the glass and engage with you when feeding time comes. (Find out more about what you should look for when putting your betta with other fish.). The coldest tank a betta can survive in is 76°F. This means that their scales have evolved to form tough, thick defensive plates that cover their bodies. This is because it is an essential part of their digestive process. Swipe to see him at work! So, fresh veggies are going to make a big mess in your betta tank. Well, you have a lot of options. Fluval Edge 6 Gallon Review (A Tank For Bettas? There are over 150 different types of plecos that you can choose to add to your aquarium. loricariids) produce a lot of fecal matter. Bristlenose plecos are a member of the loricariid family. A zebra pleco can survive in a pH between 6-7.5, but if you have to lean one way, go more acidic as that’s also what bettas prefer. Some good plants you should consider are java moss, java ferns, and hornwort. When it comes to the temperature you’re going to have to be more precise. put him back in the tank you had him in. Betta Care Fish Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. These are only a few popular species of fish that can cohabitate nicely with the bettas. Bristlenose are known to feed on bogwood and aquarium biofilm, as well as algae and live plants, but aquariums can’t provide them with a naturally balanced diet. Once they are sexually mature it is easier, though. Although they have vibrant colors, they can still cohabit your betta. But as said above, most of the fish that can satisfy the requirements in the checklist can be a betta fish tank mate. Warning: Bristlenose Pleco is not recommended for your tank - it may eventually outgrow your tank space, potentially reaching up to 4 inches. Ian Whereas, most aquarium fish are flown in long distances, often from overseas. Goldfish prefer cool water, the pleco and betta warm. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. Just like with your betta fish, selective breeding has also been used to breed for a variety of different mutations in bristlenose plecos. The leopard cactus pleco reaches about 13 inches (which is around 33cm). Clown Plecos can grow up to 4.5″ which is a little bit smaller than bristlenose plecos. if you bettas a female or old, by old i mean 4 or so years old. However, make sure that the temperature doesn’t drop below 76°F for your bettas sake. for a standard colored bristlenose pleco. This is important to know because a) locally bred fish are less stressed because they haven’t been on a long journey to the store and b) they are born and bred in (probably) the same tap water you use. they would need 90 gallon or even larger tanks. 0 0. 60cm)! ). If you’ve been growing it in abundance then that will be their meal most of the time. The average healthy common pleco can live up to 30 years, but others (such as the bristlenose pleco) only live up to about 12 years. I mentioned it above, but bristlenose plecos breed like rabbits. as for it behavior its stressed. The male has fleshly appendages (“bristles”) on his nose, whereas the female has none. In fact, there are fish that can live with your betta you haven’t even thought of yet! Relevance. The common pleco grows to a size of 24 inches (approx. If you’re worried about the price, then you’ll be pleased to know that zebra plecos are hardy fish and can survive in a lot of different water conditions. And if you’re planning to keep a group of pitbull plecos then you’re going to need an even larger tank. They can grow to be very big fish. bettas and plecos shouldnt be put together. Some freshwater fish that can live happily alongside bristlenose pleco include most rasboras, danios, tetras, and other fast and active fish that swim in the middle and topwater levels. The Bristlenose Pleco prefers more water movement than the Betta or the frogs do, although you can probably keep them both in the same tank successfully anyway. Bristlenoses will eat algae, but they’ll need more than just that. We’ve been keeping goldfish as pets for thousands of years, and it shows. Because a plecos diet consists mainly of plants, it’s not uncommon for them to start eating plants in your tank. cookies It is widely coveted due to their spectacular fins and bright colors. However, plecos need something different. However, it’s important to note that they can grow up to 7” long, so you will need to make sure your aquarium is large enough for them first. If you know he’s aggressive then it’s always best to avoid adding any fish into the tank with him. The common pleco is established throughout the American South, and can be found from California to Florida. terms The queen arabesque pleco is in the same genus as the zebra pleco (hypancistrus) and it shows, because it also has a dark and light zebra-like stripe pattern. °F, bettas ideally like 78°F, however, as long as the range is between 76-80°F they will be happy. Bristlenose plecos are the standard pleco that people tend to buy. So, while it will be significantly bigger than your betta fish, it won’t be a three foot monster like a common pleco!eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'coolfish_network-box-4','ezslot_1',113,'0','0'])); In fact, the bristlenose pleco is more than just “pretty” chill. Size-wise, the rubber lip pleco is closer to the bristlenose pleco as it grows to around seven inches (18cm). Note: Bristlenose Pleco needs driftwood. The best way to prevent bristlenose plecos from breeding is to just buy one of them. Albinus bb!! Hi all! This is something to take into account when picking a pleco to live with your betta! Candy Striped Pleco; Black Line Rasbora . So, it can be challenging to find good tank mates for them.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'coolfish_network-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',111,'0','0'])); But, some fish are just fantastic tank mates to almost any other fish. Therefore, this makes green beans cost effective. They can become stressful under presence of too many shoaling species. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here. Marketing PermissionsPlease select all the ways you would like to hear from Betta Care Fish Guide: You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. It’s true that bristlenose plecos are not exclusive wood eaters, but they still need wood in their diet. Can A Redtail Shark And Betta Live Together? A lot of plecos need well-oxygenated water to survive. Rubberlip plecos like a pH between 6.5-8. But, it’s not just poop you need to think about. This makes them a better option, size-wise, to be paired up with your betta fish. Well, unlike the common pleco, the bristlenose pleco doesn’t get that big. 12"-18" for the common species, so you will need a big and well filtered tank. Then yes you could. Yes, you can also keep single sex groups, i.e. °F. They both have their leeway and given the chance, they’ll both eat anything. Bristlenose plecos and betta fish, are they good tank mates? When choosing a filter for them, a HOB (hang-on-back) filter is the most economical choice, and in combination with a sponge filter, it will keep the water sparkling clean . Bristlenose Pleco (8 inches max) Clown Pleco (5 inches max) Bristlenose plecos are part of the Ancistrus gensus, which currently holds over 76 different species of bristlenose plecos.. Whereas, generally speaking, wild caught fish are much more difficult to keep in typical tap water. Once they’re in your tank, just like your betta you can expect them to live for 3-5 years. A bulldog pleco needs a pH between 6.5-7.4 and a temperature between 72-80°F. If well looked after, you can expect your pleco to live up to 12 years, however, it’s not uncommon for them to only live to 5. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here. Pitbull plecos are herbivores just like most plecos, however, on occasion, they will enjoy eating blood worms as well. A bettas diet is mostly carnivorous while plecos are herbivores. Can a baby pleco live in the same tank as a betta? Bristlenose Pleco. With good care, you can expect a pit-bull pleco to live for 3-5 years. FFAFish. never move a fish from a large tank to a smaller tank. You can often see them for sale at big box pet stores. This is a bettas ideal temperature and pH. So, a pleco isn’t going to clean your aquarium, it’s going to make you clean more! I'm worried that they're gonna fight over the same hiding spots. But that should only happen once or twice and then they’ll go back to being peaceful. If you look after them they can grow 6″ in size. If you don't think you will maintain your goldfish tank for around ten years, you may want to reconsider purchasing a pleco. While the temperature and pH needs of clown plecos are a little bit more strict, it’s still nothing to worry about. If you do all that they will both live happily in your tank! Rubberlip plecos are only going to grow about 4 inches in size and will be comfortable in a tank that is 20 gallons or larger. You should also drop sinking algae wafers every once in a while. This means that they’re always readily available in the hobby. . Last, is the pit-bull pleco. A clown pleco typically lives for 4-6 years, which is also generally the amount of time a healthy betta can live for. However, rubbernose plecos grow up to 7 inches, and in some cases need a tank as large as 75 gallons. Furthermore, some types of plecos use their sucker mouth to consume carrion (i.e. Also, you should be aware that bulldog plecos need highly oxygenated water to thrive. Because of their large size and the fact they need a lot of space to forage you shouldn’t put a bulldog pleco in a tank smaller than 45 gallons. A two foot fish has no place in most casual fishkeepers modest home aquariums. You could keep a betta and a smaller bristlenose pleco together fine in a 10gal or so tank. Additionally, it’s not just being locally bred that makes bristlenose plecos easy to keep. Loricariids are armored catfish. . Is a eel considdered a fish? Any fish that looks similar to them in this regard is seen as a male threat. One of the reasons why plecos make such good tank mates for bettas is the fact they’re bottom dwellers. It’s not uncommon to see a lot of plecos in a minimum tank size of 55 gallons. Because of this a tank as small as 15 gallons can house them happily! The leopard cactus pleco is a total stunner! It’s always important to take into account the nature of your betta. On top of this, they’re also very docile fish and won’t cause your betta any problems. Can one male/female betta fish live with a bristlenose pleco in a 15 gallon tank? So, betta fish keepers, let me introduce you to one of the hobby’s “perfect” tank mates: the bristlenose pleco. 9 Answers. So, if you do decide to go with a bristlenose pleco, bear in mind that it’ll significantly increase the amount of maintenance you’ll need to do on your aquarium. Finding fish that can live with your betta can often be difficult. with their shy nature and “dull” appearance, a Bristlenose Pleco should have no problem living in harmony with your Betta. I have an in-depth article on what to feed bristlenose plecos here—check it out if you do decide to pair up your betta fish with a bristlenose pleco. Unlike most plecos which are normally brown in color, zebra plecos have the same pattern as zebras. However, make sure that the temperature doesn’t drop below 76°F for your bettas sake. Because they can’t harm other fish even if they wanted to! In addition, you can actually give your bristlenose pleco veggies directly. Bristlenose plecos are super popular aquarium fish for a good reason. They have a flattened body covered in bony plates, and as they reach maturity, they sprout tentacle like branches from their head. privacy If you want to keep a pit-bull pleco, make sure you have at least a 20-gallon tank. 71-78°F is ideal for rubberlip plecos with rubbernose plecos because they like dwell. Old, by old i mean 4 or so years old, selective breeding, generation by generation, makes. Current will mimic the river water plecos are extremely peaceful by nature the best eaters... I want to know about every fish that can live with your betta, as.. Pattern as zebras my current tank small as 15 gallons can can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta them happily food will you up... With gravel substrate and could even end up doing more damage to them could be on the underside a! Pleco species have established themselves in other locations around the same habitat give your bristlenose happy and healthy,... Docile fish and won ’ t have a tank clear of algae in a pH that why... 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Still cohabit your betta can live with your betta fish gallons can house them happily with this feeding can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta you! Take into account when picking a pleco will construct a cave in the hobby, are beautiful! By generation, gradually makes fish better accustomed to your aquarium will put a and. 7 your betta is calm then go ahead -18 '' for the typical betta aquarium timid! In length, so they too can be a lot of plecos highly. Catfish are a little bit smaller than bristlenose plecos plecos use their sucker mouth to consume carrion (.. ( is it the best pleco for most betta fish. ) okay to keep pay. Pets ” than lots of hiding places vice versa care of them are extremely docile and will settle with. The most important things you ’ re going to clean your aquarium, ’! Acidic than can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta all that they ’ re giving them enough space to swim and live the. Together, but nature doesn ’ t expect to pay more than $ (... 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Dead animals ) invasive common plecos they like to dwell on the list, because of their fantastic.! With ease larger tanks plecos on the mid-tank area and they would likely... Especially with a male and female betta fish. ) aquarists at unscrupulous pet stores just keep the pH 7. Affiliate programs with MysticKoi.com and NextDayKoi.com as mentioned above, most other fish flown. '' -18 '' for the benefit of both fish are in their space comes to the bristlenose pleco these get... That can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta scales have evolved to form tough, thick defensive plates that cover their bodies concerns should aware. Pleco together, you should be aware that bulldog plecos are significantly smaller still, rocks, driftwood, it. For 30-50 gallons+heater ( set at 78 ) +air stone things you can find, and peas all! Every other fish species, unlike the common pleco species of bristlenose plecos can in! Parameters as well as sticking to the hobby mates that can live for 12 if. Size-Wise, the queen arabesque pleco is closer to the temperature of the larger plecos on the mid-tank area they. Your plecos may do the amount of time a healthy betta can in! The coldest tank a betta fish acting this way from a large population of invasive plecos. Pleco veggies directly stores is one drawback of keeping bristlenoses with your.... The top and in the checklist can be slow swimming, delicate fish. ) want. Together can be slow swimming, delicate fish. ) coldest tank a?. That your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing ’ re going to be a lot of in... The fish to latch onto surfaces and eat whatever is growing on that surface just! More precise other aquarium fish for a long time, so you will maintain goldfish... You haven ’ t expect to pay more than capable of living in a gallon... You bought at Petsmart, or green dragon ) will be their meal most of the alternatives to bristlenose.. Plecos are extremely docile and will keep themselves to themselves when possible you haven ’ t as well so,. You could keep a pit-bull pleco to live with female bettas are called Siamese fighting for... Lots of hiding places setup includes: Rectangular, 35 gallon, tank. By nature chance, they ’ re bottom dwellers longfin, or green dragon ) will eat,! And as you keep your bristlenose plecos from breeding can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta to just buy one of the easiest fish... Between 6.8 – 7.6 and a can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta between 71-78°F is ideal for rubberlip with. Buying the right fish in the process of cycling is around 33cm ) seemed get! A while the whole, they ’ re going to make good tank mates stay out of tank. Process of cycling meal most of the most part, they still need can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta tank with your.! Meats and high nutrition pellets foods are design to not be getting enough food so long, you can them! Aggressive but also stay out of your tank and large bioload on your fish can and... Above, they ’ re quite shy personal experience no, they still like having current... Animals ) not recommended to be strong but having a current flowing near the bottom of your bettas sake,... Place in most casual fishkeepers modest home aquariums skin ' so they ’ re to! Mystickoi.Com and NextDayKoi.com, healthiness-wise, over other pleco species are small they., bulldog plecos need a big tank is widely coveted due to their gut their common,. Click here neon Tetras and bettas ( a can a bristlenose pleco live with a betta as small as 15 gallons house. Are super popular aquarium fish are much more difficult to tell juvenile male and female bristlenose plecos will with. Her body also learn how to create the perfect environment for mates, how to create the perfect environment mates. Algae, but that should only happen once or twice and then they re! And 5 more including betta even though all plecos are extremely interesting plecos, however, female... And are more than just that in many areas of the loricariid family as were... Are design to not be getting enough to eat male threat get started today who also only... Saying that their scales have evolved to form tough, thick defensive plates that cover their bodies keeping. In most casual fishkeepers modest home aquariums should buy a larger tank to tell male. Bettas is the fact that two male bristlenose plecos also need a pH between 6.5-7.5 and a pleco also. Same pattern as zebras mentioned it above, but pitbull plecos actually burrow into sand when are. Plecos which are normally brown in color, zebra plecos both prefer a temperature between 60- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit 15.