Can clown loaches live with mollies?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Clown loaches and mollies can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

Clown loach77–86°F · pH 6–7.5

Molly72–82°F · pH 7.5–8.5

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

What works

Both are fine at 77–82°F.
They use different parts of the tank: clown loaches the bottom, mollies the top.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

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

	Clown loach	Molly
Temperature	77–86 °F	72–82 °F
pH	6–7.5	7.5–8.5
Adult size	8.0 in	4.0 in
Minimum tank	75 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Top
Group	Groups of 5+	Groups of 3+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for clown loaches

All clown loach tank mates

Better tank mates for mollies

All molly tank mates

Questions

Can clown loaches live with mollies?

Yes, with care. Clown loaches and mollies can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

What temperature suits both clown loaches and mollies?

77–82 °F. Clown loaches need 77–86 °F, mollies need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do clown loaches and mollies need together?

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