Can axolotls live with yoyo loaches?

Verdict

No. Axolotls and yoyo loaches should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); yoyo loaches need 75–86°F. No temperature suits both.

Axolotl60–66°F · pH 6.5–8

Yoyo loach75–86°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerAxolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); yoyo loaches need 75–86°F. No temperature suits both.
Deal breakerFish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.
Watch outYoyo loaches nip at slow fish. Axolotls cannot get away.

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	Yoyo loach
Temperature	60–66 °F	75–86 °F
pH	6.5–8	6–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	5.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	40 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	Bottom	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 5+
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for yoyo loaches

All yoyo loach tank mates

Questions

Can axolotls live with yoyo loaches?

No. Axolotls and yoyo loaches should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); yoyo loaches need 75–86°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both axolotls and yoyo loaches?

None. Axolotls need 60–66 °F and yoyo loaches need 75–86 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do axolotls and yoyo loaches need together?

At least 40 gal, set by the yoyo loach. Add space for each extra fish.