Can fancy goldfish live with zebra loaches?

Verdict
No

No. Fancy goldfish and zebra loaches should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

Fancy goldfishFancy goldfish65–74°F · pH 7–8 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: 73–74°Fancy goldfish 65–74°Zebra loach 73–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 7–7.5Fancy goldfish 7–8Zebra loach 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Fancy goldfish · 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

Fancy goldfishZebra loach
Temperature65–74 °F73–79 °F
pH7–86–7.5
Adult size6.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank30 gal30 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 5+
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for fancy goldfish

All fancy goldfish tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can fancy goldfish live with zebra loaches?

No. Fancy goldfish and zebra loaches should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

What temperature suits both fancy goldfish and zebra loaches?

73–74 °F. Fancy goldfish need 65–74 °F, zebra loaches need 73–79 °F.

What size tank do fancy goldfish and zebra loaches need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the fancy goldfish. Add space for each extra fish.