Can Spotted Rubberlip Pleco (L187a) and Upside Down Catfish Live Together?

Spotted Rubberlip Pleco (L187a) is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Upside Down Catfish is peaceful (2/10). This modest difference means Spotted Rubberlip Pleco (L187a) may occasionally assert dominance over Upside Down Catfish.

Spotted Rubberlip Pleco (L187a) and Upside Down Catfish 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: Spotted Rubberlip Pleco (L187a) is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 22°C and 24°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 23.0°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.

To house Spotted Rubberlip Pleco (L187a) and Upside Down Catfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 75 litres with a minimum length of 75 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: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Established Algae (Otocinclus), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating. 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.

Spotted Rubberlip Pleco (L187a) and Upside Down Catfish work best when the tank gives each fish enough room to use its preferred level of the aquarium and enough cover to avoid constant visual contact. The score matters, but the real-world success usually comes from matching their pace, keeping water stable, and resisting the urge to crowd the tank just because the pair looks safe on paper.