Can Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii Live Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 4, 2026
Not Recommended

Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii are not recommended as tank mates due to conflicting pH requirements. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

Angelicus Pleco L073

Hypancistrus sp. L073

Electric Blue Johannii

Pseudotropheus johannii

🐠Family Group
Angelicus Pleco L073
Catfish
Electric Blue Johannii
Cichlids - African
Temperament
Angelicus Pleco L073
Mostly Peaceful (3/10)
Electric Blue Johannii
Aggressive (8/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Angelicus Pleco L073
26–30°C
Electric Blue Johannii
24–28°C
pH Range
✗ No overlap
Angelicus Pleco L073
5.5–7.5
Electric Blue Johannii
7.8–8.6
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Angelicus Pleco L073
2–15
Electric Blue Johannii
10–25
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Angelicus Pleco L073
Freshwater Only
Electric Blue Johannii
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Angelicus Pleco L073
High
Electric Blue Johannii
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 209 L
Angelicus Pleco L073
110 L
Electric Blue Johannii
150 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Angelicus Pleco L073
Bottom
Electric Blue Johannii
MiddleBottom
🏷️Behavior Tags
Angelicus Pleco L073
NocturnalShy / Slow Moving (Easily Stressed)
Electric Blue Johannii
Generally AggressiveAggressive to same species/look-alikesTerritorial (Defends specific area)Digger (Disturbs Substrate)Plant DestroyerHyperactive / Fast Swimmer
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

Angelicus Pleco L073
Electric Blue Johannii
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Angelicus Pleco L073 is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Electric Blue Johannii is semi-aggressive (8/10). This notable difference means Electric Blue Johannii may occasionally assert dominance over Angelicus Pleco L073.

Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Aggressive fish may bully and stress shy, slow-moving species. Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

Worth noting: Angelicus Pleco L073 is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 26°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 27.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Angelicus Pleco L073 (5.5–7.5) and Electric Blue Johannii (7.8–8.6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii together, plan for an aquarium of at least 209 litres with a minimum length of 90 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Established Algae (Otocinclus). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with high (river/stream) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice

Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii.

Show 4 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as critical behavioural conflicts — make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii need?

A minimum of 209 litres (tank length at least 90 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii together?

Keep the aquarium between 26°C and 28°C. A target of around 27.0°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Angelicus Pleco L073 or Electric Blue Johannii aggressive?

Angelicus Pleco L073 is generally mild-mannered (3/10) and Electric Blue Johannii is semi-aggressive (8/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.

What pH do Angelicus Pleco L073 and Electric Blue Johannii need?

Their pH requirements do not overlap. Angelicus Pleco L073 prefers 5.5–7.5, while Electric Blue Johannii needs 7.8–8.6. This makes them incompatible in the same water chemistry.

How do I manage Electric Blue Johannii's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Electric Blue Johannii space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.

Does Angelicus Pleco L073 being nocturnal affect compatibility?

Angelicus Pleco L073 is most active after lights-out, which naturally reduces daytime encounters with its tank mate. This can actually be beneficial, as both fish get undisturbed time to feed and explore. Just ensure food reaches Angelicus Pleco L073 during evening hours.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.

Last reviewed
May 4, 2026
Last updated
May 4, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

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