Can hillstream loaches live with mollies?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Hillstream 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.

Hillstream loach68–75°F · pH 6.5–7.5

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 72–75°F.
They use different parts of the tank: hillstream 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

	Hillstream loach	Molly
Temperature	68–75 °F	72–82 °F
pH	6.5–7.5	7.5–8.5
Adult size	2.5 in	4.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Top
Group	Groups of 3+	Groups of 3+
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for hillstream loaches

All hillstream loach tank mates

Better tank mates for mollies

All molly tank mates

Questions

Can hillstream loaches live with mollies?

Yes, with care. Hillstream 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 hillstream loaches and mollies?

72–75 °F. Hillstream loaches need 68–75 °F, mollies need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do hillstream loaches and mollies need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the hillstream loach. Add space for each extra fish.