Can bristlenose plecos live with zebra loaches?

Verdict
Yes

Yes. Bristlenose plecos and zebra loaches make a good pair. Both are fine at 73–79°F. Plan on at least 30 gal.

Bristlenose plecoBristlenose pleco73–81°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Zebra loachZebra loach73–79°F · pH 6–7.5

Why it works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 73–79°Bristlenose pleco 73–81°Zebra loach 73–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bristlenose pleco 6.5–7.5Zebra loach 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bristlenose pleco · 5 inZebra loach · 3.5 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

Bristlenose plecoZebra loach
Temperature73–81 °F73–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank30 gal30 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 5+
DietHerbivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for bristlenose plecos

All bristlenose pleco tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can bristlenose plecos live with zebra loaches?

Yes. Bristlenose plecos and zebra loaches make a good pair. Both are fine at 73–79°F. Plan on at least 30 gal.

What temperature suits both bristlenose plecos and zebra loaches?

73–79 °F. Bristlenose plecos need 73–81 °F, zebra loaches need 73–79 °F.

What size tank do bristlenose plecos and zebra loaches need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the bristlenose pleco. Add space for each extra fish.