Can Common Pleco live with Shadow Panda Shrimp?
Caution — with care
Why
- Only a narrow temperature overlap — keep both around 72°F.
- No overlapping water hardness: Common Pleco wants 5–20 dGH but Shadow Panda Shrimp wants 0–4 dGH.
Sweet spot: both do well at 72–72°F and pH 6–6.8 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Common Pleco | Shadow Panda Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82°F | 62–72°F |
| pH | 6–8 | 5.8–6.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–20 dGH | 0–4 dGH |
| Adult size | 24" | 1.2" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 150 gal | 10 gal |
Together, plan on at least 150 gallons.
How to make it work
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
- Keep a large, established shrimp colony in a heavily planted tank with moss and cover so enough survive to breed.
Sort it with: An adjustable heater → Chewy GH remineraliser → Aquarium Co-Op
Where to buy
- Common Pleco: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
- Shadow Panda Shrimp: 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 Common Pleco · …with Shadow Panda Shrimp