Can axolotls live with zebra loaches?

Verdict

No. Axolotls and zebra loaches should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. No temperature suits both.

Axolotl60–66°F · pH 6.5–8

Zebra loach73–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerAxolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. No temperature suits both.
Deal breakerFish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.

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	Zebra loach
Temperature	60–66 °F	73–79 °F
pH	6.5–8	6–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	3.5 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 5+
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can axolotls live with zebra loaches?

No. Axolotls and zebra loaches should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both axolotls and zebra loaches?

None. Axolotls need 60–66 °F and zebra loaches need 73–79 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do axolotls and zebra loaches need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the zebra loach. Add space for each extra fish.