Can Butterfly Pleco (L168) and Peacock Eel Live Together?

Both Butterfly Pleco (L168) and Peacock Eel are peaceful species with an aggression score of 2/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

Butterfly Pleco (L168) and Peacock Eel 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 eaters may outcompete shy fish for food, leading to malnutrition.

Worth noting: Butterfly Pleco (L168) is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Peacock Eel is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: Provide a significantly larger tank (at least 50% more volume than the minimum) to allow both Butterfly Pleco (L168) and Peacock Eel to establish separate territories. Add plenty of line-of-sight breaks using driftwood, rocks, and dense planting to reduce territorial confrontations.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 25°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–10 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Butterfly Pleco (L168) and Peacock Eel together, plan for an aquarium of at least 150 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.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

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

Butterfly Pleco (L168) prefers High (River/Stream) flow while Peacock Eel needs Low (Still Water) flow. Consider positioning filter outlets and using baffles to create zones of different current intensity within the same tank.

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. Butterfly Pleco (L168) and Peacock Eel need extra room, more cover, and closer observation during the first few weeks so small aggression, feeding, or territory issues do not snowball into a long-term problem.

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Peacock Eel is an aggressive eater that may prevent Butterfly Pleco (L168) from getting enough food.

Because Peacock Eel is a fast, competitive feeder, consider using sinking pellets or feeding at opposite ends of the setup to ensure Butterfly Pleco (L168) receives an adequate share.