Can axolotls live with hillstream loaches?

Verdict

No. Axolotls and hillstream loaches should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); hillstream loaches need 68–75°F. No temperature suits both.

Axolotl60–66°F · pH 6.5–8

Hillstream loach68–75°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerAxolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); hillstream loaches need 68–75°F. No temperature suits both.
Deal breakerFish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.
Watch outA grown axolotl may treat small hillstream loaches as food, especially at night.

What works

pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.

Water side by side

The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	Axolotl	Hillstream loach
Temperature	60–66 °F	68–75 °F
pH	6.5–8	6.5–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	2.5 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 3+
Diet	Carnivore	Herbivore

Better tank mates for hillstream loaches

All hillstream loach tank mates

Questions

Can axolotls live with hillstream loaches?

No. Axolotls and hillstream loaches should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); hillstream loaches need 68–75°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both axolotls and hillstream loaches?

None. Axolotls need 60–66 °F and hillstream loaches need 68–75 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do axolotls and hillstream loaches need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the axolotl. Add space for each extra fish.