Can bettas live with hillstream loaches?

Verdict
No

No. Bettas and hillstream loaches should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Bettas need 76–82°F, hillstream loaches need 68–75°F.

BettaBetta76–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Hillstream loachHillstream loach68–75°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Betta 76–82°Hillstream loach 68–75°
The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Betta 6.5–7.5Hillstream loach 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Betta · 2.5 inHillstream loach · 2.5 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

BettaHillstream loach
Temperature76–82 °F68–75 °F
pH6.5–7.56.5–7.5
Adult size2.5 in2.5 in
Minimum tank5 gal20 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atTopBottom
GroupOne per tankGroups of 3+
DietCarnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for bettas

All betta tank mates

Better tank mates for hillstream loaches

All hillstream loach tank mates

Questions

Can bettas live with hillstream loaches?

No. Bettas and hillstream loaches should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Bettas need 76–82°F, hillstream loaches need 68–75°F.

What temperature suits both bettas and hillstream loaches?

None. Bettas need 76–82 °F and hillstream loaches need 68–75 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do bettas and hillstream loaches need together?

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