Can discus live with zebra loaches?

Verdict
No

No. Discus and zebra loaches should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, zebra loaches need 73–79°F.

DiscusDiscus82–88°F · pH 5.5–7 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°Discus 82–88°Zebra loach 73–79°
The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.
456789Both: 6–7Discus 5.5–7Zebra loach 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Discus · 6 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

DiscusZebra loach
Temperature82–88 °F73–79 °F
pH5.5–76–7.5
Adult size6.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atMiddleBottom
GroupGroups of 5+Groups of 5+
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for discus

All discus tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can discus live with zebra loaches?

No. Discus and zebra loaches should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, zebra loaches need 73–79°F.

What temperature suits both discus and zebra loaches?

None. Discus need 82–88 °F and zebra loaches need 73–79 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do discus and zebra loaches need together?

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