Can Bala Shark and Royal Pleco (L190) Live Together?

Bala Shark is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Royal Pleco (L190) is moderately assertive (5/10). This modest difference means Royal Pleco (L190) may occasionally assert dominance over Bala Shark.

Bala Shark and Royal Pleco (L190) 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.

Worth noting: Royal Pleco (L190) is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Bala Shark is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 22°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

To house Bala Shark and Royal Pleco (L190) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 672 litres with a minimum length of 180 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

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: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). 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.