Can bichirs live with zebra loaches?

Verdict
No

No. Bichirs and zebra loaches should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.

BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 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: 73–79°Bichir 72–82°Zebra loach 73–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bichir 6.5–7.5Zebra loach 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bichir · 12 inZebra loach · 3.5 in0"2"4"6"8"10"12"
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

BichirZebra loach
Temperature72–82 °F73–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size12.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank75 gal30 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 5+
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for bichirs

All bichir tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can bichirs live with zebra loaches?

No. Bichirs and zebra loaches should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.

What temperature suits both bichirs and zebra loaches?

73–79 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, zebra loaches need 73–79 °F.

What size tank do bichirs and zebra loaches need together?

At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.