Can Two Plecos Live Together?

If you are a fishkeeper, you may be wondering if it is possible to keep two plecos together in the same tank. This is a question that has been asked by many aquarists, and there is no easy answer. 

It is possible to keep two plecos together in the same tank, but the tank needs to be large and well maintained. Plecos are known for their scavenging habits and they will scavenge for food at the bottom of the tank. This can lead to problems if there is not enough food for both the fish. 

In addition, some species of plecos can be territorial and may attack other fish in the tank. This can also lead to problems in the tank. It is possible to keep two plecos together in the same tank, but it is not recommended. 

In this article, I will take a closer look at the reasons why it is not recommended to keep two plecos together in the same tank. 

How Many Plecos Can Live Together?

On average, every dwarf pleco needs at least 10 gallons of the tank, and add 5 gallons for each additional pleco.

Multiple plecos can live together if they are provided with a big enough living space and enough food.

You can keep as many plecos in your tank as you want. It all depends on the size of the tank. In general, plecos do not do well in a tank that is smaller than 6 gallons.

You should not keep more than one common pleco in your tank as they become very large.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you provide plenty of food and water for the plecos. 

However, you can keep multiple small plecos such as bristlenose pleco, clown pleco, and Blue Panaque Pleco in a large, well-maintained tank.

And if there’s not enough food in the tank, the Plecos may start to compete with each other for food. 

However, if you have a really big tank, you can probably keep more than one Pleco in it. Just make sure there’s enough food for all of them. 

Also, make sure the tank has plenty of plants, rocks, and other decorations so the Plecos have places to hide. 

If you are willing to keep multiple plecos in a single tank, then make sure they are not common plecos.

Common plecos get really big. I have seen plecos that are literally the size of my arms.

Here is a list of pleco species that will stay small and you can keep multiple of them if you have a large enough tank:

Will Two Plecos Fight  If You Put Them In The Same Tank? 

Yes, two plecos may fight if they are in the same tank and if they feel threatened by each other. 

However, multiple plecos won’t fight if you keep them well-fed and the tank has sufficient space to dwell around.

Plecos need plenty of space to swim and do their natural behaviors, so it’s best to keep plecos in at least an 18-gallon tank. 

Nevertheless, if you can keep them in a tank with other plecos and they get along well, they can be a rewarding addition to your aquarium.

As a side note, don’t keep plecos with small fishes and invertebrates like cherry shrimps. To know the consequences of keepng plecos with shrimps, check out this article.

Can You Have 2 Bristlenose Plecos Together?

Yes, you can have two bristlenose plecos in the same tank. The only thing that you have to be careful about is that they do not start to compete for food. So, keep them well fed.

They are known for their scavenging habits, and they can be territorial. You will also want to make sure you provide enough food for both of them. 

It is best to keep them in a tank that is at least a 20-gallon. 

Will a Pleco Eat Another Pleco? 

No, a Pleco will not eat another pleco but they might eat dead fish that stayed at the bottom of the tank. That’s because they are scavengers and eat food that falls to the bottom of the tank. 

Plecos are peaceful fish, they are also known as nocturnal, scavengers, bottom dwellers, and algae eaters. 

Most of the aquarists love pleco as they clean the tank by eating algae. If you keep your plecos well-fed and maintain them properly, they won’t cause any harm.

Reasons Why You Should not Keep Two Plecos Cannot Live Together

Here are the top reasons why you should not keep two Plecos together in the same tank. 

1. Some Species of Plecos Are Territorial

A Pleco can be territorial. This means that it will try to protect its space and its food from other fish in the tank.

If you put a second Pleco in the same tank, it will probably not like it and will fight for its food. You will also have to make sure that the tank has enough plants and decorations so that the Plecos have places to hide. 

2. They Will Eat Each Other’s Food

Two Plecos will compete for food. That’s because they are scavengers. They eat food that falls to the bottom of the tank.

And if there is not enough food for them, they may start to compete for food. They will also try to eat each other’s food. 

3. They Will Be Stressed

If you put two Plecos in a small tank together, they may not be able to cope with the stress. 

That’s because they can get a little territorial sometimes, and if they feel overcrowded then it can cause problems for sure.

4. They Have Large Bioload:

Most plecos eat a lot and poop a lot. You might have seen that keeping multiple plecos in a single tank degrades the water quality very quickly as they have a large bioload.

5. They Will Not Be Able To Swim & Eat At The Same Time

You cannot keep two Plecos in the same tank together because they will not be able to swim and eat at the same time. They are territorial and they may not be able to co-exist in the same tank especially if you have a small tank.

Also, keeping male and female plecos in the tank can cause another problem as they breed a lot. To learn more on this topic, check out this article: How To Stop Plecos From Breeding?

Related Questions

How Many Plecos Can I Put in a 10 Gallon Tank?

You can keep one pleco in a 10-gallon tank for additional pleco you need to add more 5-gallon tank unless it’s a common pleco.

Can Plecos Live Alone?

Plecos can live alone and they are generally by themselves that’s why most aquarists keep them alone.

Most plecos do great all by themselves. They are not schooling fish. So, there won’t be a problem if you keep a single pleco in a tank.

How Do I Keep My Plecos Happy?

You can keep your plecos happy by following these tips:

• Make sure that they have plenty of room to swim
• Provide them with enough food
• Add adequate plants, rocks, and other decorations
• Add driftwood to your aquarium
• Maintain the proper water parameters

How many plecos Can I put in a 55 gallon tank? 

You can put 11 small size plecos in a 55 gallon tank. That’s because plecos are very active fish and will make sure to explore their new home.

So, there is no need to worry about overcrowding as long as you provide them with enough space to swim and play.

Can Plecos Kill Each Other? 

Plecos are not known to kill each other, but they can get territorial and aggressive when they are introduced to each other in a new tank.

If this happens, it is best to separate the plecos and introduce them one at a time to see if that solves the problem. 

So, overall, plecos are friendly fish that can live together in a tank with other fish. Just be aware of any potential territorial disputes and be sure to keep them separated if necessary.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, you should only keep one Pleco in your tank at a time. If you have a really big tank, you can keep more small size Plecos in it. 

However, you’ll need to make sure that they have enough space to swim and play, and you’ll need to make sure they have enough food and water. 

And you’ll also need to make sure that you have enough food for all of them.

Thanks for reading! If you have a minute, check out my article on, Do Plecos Cause Ammonia? Everything You Need To Know