Can discus live with hillstream loaches?

Verdict
No

No. Discus and hillstream loaches should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, hillstream loaches need 68–75°F.

DiscusDiscus82–88°F · pH 5.5–7 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°Discus 82–88°Hillstream loach 68–75°
The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.
456789Both: 6.5–7Discus 5.5–7Hillstream loach 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Discus · 6 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

DiscusHillstream loach
Temperature82–88 °F68–75 °F
pH5.5–76.5–7.5
Adult size6.0 in2.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atMiddleBottom
GroupGroups of 5+Groups of 3+
DietCarnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for discus

All discus tank mates

Better tank mates for hillstream loaches

All hillstream loach tank mates

Questions

Can discus live with hillstream loaches?

No. Discus and hillstream loaches should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, hillstream loaches need 68–75°F.

What temperature suits both discus and hillstream loaches?

None. Discus need 82–88 °F and hillstream loaches need 68–75 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do discus and hillstream loaches need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the discus. Add space for each extra fish.