Galaxy Pleco Tank Mates

Galaxy Pleco is semi-aggressive, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 9 freshwater species that pair well with a galaxy pleco — plus the 207 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 7, 2026 • Full Galaxy Pleco care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for a galaxy pleco

  • Bristlenose Pleco ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 23–30 °C (73–86 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Rubber Lip Pleco ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Marbled Hoplo ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 14 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Spotted Talking Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Weather Loach ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 25 cm · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Medusa Pleco ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Spotted Rubbernose Pleco ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Snowball Pleco ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 16 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Goldfish ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 30 cm · 18–22 °C (64–72 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
With caution

Galaxy Pleco tank mates that can work with care

  • Adolf's Cory ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 5.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco may bully the smaller Adolf's Cory, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Agassiz's Corydoras ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 6 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco may bully the smaller Agassiz's Corydoras, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Altifrons Geophagus ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
  • Angelfish ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco and Angelfish can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
  • Angelicus Synodontis ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
  • Assassin Snail ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco may bully the smaller Assassin Snail, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Axelrod's Cory ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco may bully the smaller Axelrod's Cory, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Banded Gourami ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Semi-aggressive · 12 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco and Banded Gourami can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.

+ 116 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with a galaxy pleco

  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco and Wels Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
  • Alligator Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco and Alligator Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
  • Redtail Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco and Redtail Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
  • Clown Knifefish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Clown Knifefish will hold territory and clash.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Galaxy Pleco and Spotted Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
  • Wolf Cichlid ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 72 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Wolf Cichlid will hold territory and clash.
  • Ocellaris Peacock Bass ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 70 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Ocellaris Peacock Bass will hold territory and clash.
  • Mbu Puffer ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 67 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Mbu Puffer will hold territory and clash.

+ 199 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against a galaxy pleco

Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against a galaxy pleco, with the reasoning for each verdict.

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Galaxy Pleco?

We compare each fish against your galaxy pleco on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.

  • Bristlenose Pleco✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 23–30 °C (73–86 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Goldfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 30 cm · Medium care · 18–22 °C (64–72 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Marbled Hoplo✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Medusa Pleco✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Rubber Lip Pleco✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Snowball Pleco✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 16 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Spotted Rubbernose Pleco✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Spotted Talking Catfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Weather Loach✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 25 cm · Easy care · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Altifrons Geophagus⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~378 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Altifrons Geophagus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Angelicus Synodontis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Black Collared Catfish⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 27 cm · Hard care · 23–25 °C (73–77 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Black Collared Catfish can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~243 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Clown Loach⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 30 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~400 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Gold Nugget Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 28 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Gold Nugget Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~250 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Honeycomb Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 21 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Kissing Gourami⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Kissing Gourami can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Leopard Cactus Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Leopard Cactus Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Mango Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 28 cm · Hard care · 25–32 °C (77–90 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~265 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Peacock Eel⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Peacock Eel can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
  • Pearl Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 28 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Pearl Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Severum⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 23–30 °C (73–86 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Silver Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Spotted Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Spotted Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Spotted Severum⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Spotted Severum can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~300 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Sunshine Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Hard care · 23–29 °C (73–84 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Sunshine Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~473 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Alligator Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Alligator Gar may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Clown Knifefish will hold territory and clash.
    • Clown Knifefish may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Mbu Puffer⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 67 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Mbu Puffer will hold territory and clash.
    • Mbu Puffer may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~757 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Ocellaris Peacock Bass⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 70 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Ocellaris Peacock Bass will hold territory and clash.
    • Ocellaris Peacock Bass may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Redtail Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Redtail Catfish may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Spotted Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Spotted Gar may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    • Galaxy Pleco and Wels Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Wels Catfish may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Galaxy Pleco and Wolf Cichlid will hold territory and clash.
    • Wolf Cichlid may bully the smaller Galaxy Pleco, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
    • Your 170 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.

Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.

Setting up a galaxy pleco community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 170 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.

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How to choose

How to choose the right tank mates for a galaxy pleco

Being semi-aggressive, galaxy pleco can nip or harass smaller, slower or long-finned fish — give it space, broken sight-lines and similarly robust companions. It mostly occupies the bottom of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Galaxy Pleco grows to about 25 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 13 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 22–26 °C (72–79 °F), pH 5.6–7 and 6–16 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Galaxy Pleco doesn't need its own kind to feel secure; think twice before keeping more than one if it is territorial. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can a galaxy pleco live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 9 compatible freshwater species for galaxy pleco. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.

What is the best tank mate for a galaxy pleco?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Bristlenose Pleco, Rubber Lip Pleco, Marbled Hoplo. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with a galaxy pleco?

Avoid Wels Catfish, Alligator Gar, Redtail Catfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.

How big a tank do galaxy pleco tank mates need?

Start from Galaxy Pleco's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 170 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.

← Back to the full Galaxy Pleco care guide