Aqua Tools

Compatibility check

Can Bristlenose pleco and Tiger barb live together?

Bristlenose pleco and Tiger barb can usually live together when the tank is sized for both species and normal group needs are met.

compatible

Quick answer

Recommended minimum tank for this pair: 40 US gal / 151 L. Keep Bristlenose pleco at 1+ and Tiger barb at 8+ where those group sizes are greater than one.

Factor breakdown

Factor Result Explanation
Water type OK Bristlenose pleco is freshwater; Tiger barb is freshwater. Compatibility pages are generated only for matching water types.
Temperature OK Temperature overlaps at 22-27 C. Bristlenose pleco is listed at 22-27 C; Tiger barb is listed at 22-27 C.
pH OK pH overlaps at 6-7.8. Bristlenose pleco is listed at 6-7.8; Tiger barb is listed at 6-7.8.
Hardness OK Hardness overlaps at 4-15 dGH. Bristlenose pleco is listed at 2-15 dGH; Tiger barb is listed at 4-15 dGH.
Adult size and predation OK Adult sizes are not an obvious predator-prey mismatch (Bristlenose pleco: 13 cm; Tiger barb: 7 cm).
Temperament and aggression OK Bristlenose pleco (peaceful bottom grazer) and Tiger barb (semi-aggressive schooling) do not have an obvious aggression clash in the dataset.
Fin nipping risk OK The dataset does not flag this pair as a fin-nipper plus long-finned combination.
Schooling and group needs OK Plan around full groups, not single display fish. Minimum group sizes: Tiger barb: 8+.
Explicit avoid tags OK No explicit avoid-tag conflict was found between these two records.
Minimum combined tank size OK Use at least 40 US gallons (151 L) for the pair, based on the larger minimum tank plus bioload and activity adjustments where relevant.

Species profiles

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Sources and attribution

Source links are verification references for taxonomy and identifiers. Care values are AI-generated from common hobby consensus and need expert review.