Can Black Skirt Tetra live with Royal Pleco?
Caution — with care
Why
- Black Skirt Tetra is semi-aggressive and may bully the peaceful Royal Pleco — give lots of space and cover.
- Black Skirt Tetra is a fin-nipper and will shred the long/flowing fins of Royal Pleco.
- Large size gap (Black Skirt Tetra 2.5" vs Royal Pleco 17") — the bigger fish may eat the smaller one as they grow.
Sweet spot: both do well at 73–82°F and pH 6.5–7.5 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Black Skirt Tetra | Royal Pleco | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 70–82°F | 73–82°F |
| pH | 5.5–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 3–15 dGH | 4–12 dGH |
| Adult size | 2.5" | 17" |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 20 gal | 120 gal |
Together, plan on at least 120 gallons.
How to make it work
- Use a larger, well-decorated tank with sightline breaks, keep everyone well-fed, and add the calmer fish first.
- Keep the nipper in a bigger group (8+) to spread out the nipping, and avoid long-finned tankmates.
- Add only full-grown adults — never juveniles, which will be eaten.
Where to buy
- Black Skirt Tetra: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
- Royal Pleco: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
Live-animal shipping: add a heat pack below 50°F, expect weather holds above 90°F, and schedule delivery for a moderate week when someone can receive it promptly.
Build a full tank around this stocking →Everything compatible with Black Skirt Tetra · …with Royal Pleco