Can african cichlids live with zebra loaches?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and zebra loaches should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra loaches.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Zebra loachZebra loach73–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–79°African cichlid 75–82°Zebra loach 73–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Zebra loach 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inZebra loach · 3.5 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

African cichlidZebra loach
Temperature75–82 °F73–79 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 5+
DietHerbivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with zebra loaches?

No. African cichlids and zebra loaches should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra loaches.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and zebra loaches?

75–79 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, zebra loaches need 73–79 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and zebra loaches need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the african cichlid. Add space for each extra fish.